FLAKES!

by Renee Piane

I don't know about you but one of my peeves is people who are flakes, or, in other words, people who don't honor your time, whether it's in business or in relationships.   I am from a small town and moving to LA has been an eye opener for me. 

Some people just never make commitments and keep you hanging, while others just don't show up for you when you have plans without a thought!  Recently a friend told me that a good friend had offered her his apartment in Santa Barbara for the weekend for her to get out of town. 

She was thrilled and invited her latest boyfriend along for a nice relaxing getaway weekend.  All packed and ready to leave town, the friend who had told her he'd drop off the key on Friday, never showed up with the key on Saturday morning or called to say why. 

Now this man has 3 phone #'s, so giving him the benefit of the doubt, she called concerned he had been struck by lightning, was in a car wreck or had a sexy blonde diverting his attention? Who knows?

She called his cell phones, pager,   home # with no response.  He called 4 days later with a weak tale of bullshit that has led to the weakening of a 6-year relationship.

Why would someone flake like this? Why would the girl put up with such a person? Is behavior like this forgivable?  It's a shame people do this to others. It comes down to respect and keeping your word. 

Don't take for granted the people closest to your heart.  Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect and saying you're sorry.  Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find time for a friend or to honor you're word.

The quickest way to receive love is to respect it; the fastest way to lose love is to take it for granted and flake out on people.  So if you have experienced this you can express your disappointment and give the person another chance or move on. 

What would you do in this situation?  Do you ever flake and feel guilty?  I contacted this man and asked him why he did this to our friend.  

He admitted that he just got too busy,  forgot and then felt guilty and avoided the conflict.  He has said he was sorry and she forgave him, yet she won't trust his word in the future. 

The friendship will never be the same.  What a shame!  Keep your word and call others on their word to avoid this experience in your life.

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© Copyright 2001 by Renee Piane. All Rights Reserved. This content may be copied in full, as long as copyright, contact, and creation information is given, and only if used in a not-for-profit format. If possible, I would also appreciate an endorsement. If any other use is desired, written permission is required. Thank you,Renee Piane.

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