Bamboozlement

I was in an odd situation last week. I made a joke about invasive bamboo at a gathering of plant people.

One of the others blew up, seemingly losing all sense of proportion. The other people there smoothed it over. I went to the bathroom, and when I came back, the explosive one apologised, explaining that I had hit a nerve. I later got an apologetic phone call too.

I was pleasantly surprised by my reaction. I stayed totally calm. I reasoned that the other person had a problem, not me. I didn't give in to resentment and righteous indignation.

But I wasn't totally over it either, until I realized that I could make a joke about bamboozlement the next time I meet her.