Did you know that one of “The Real Housewives of New York City” writes essays for Huffington Post?
Oh, Alex! The song goes "teach your children well," not scare the bejesus out of them.
I didn’t. So imagine my surprise when I came across Alex McCord’s latest – titled “Negotiations, Utopia and Martians” – this morning. And this isn’t the first one; apparently Alex has written several for the respected news site.
While the subject of this essay (as well as the previous ones, from a quick glance) is about job hunting and salary negotiations (and seriously, who couldn’t use advice these days?), there are several passages I found particularly amusing.
Let’s go over a few, shall we?
*“These days if I can’t find my shoes, I have an internal tantrum. Luckily I have a husband and two boys who keep me from killing people in the street. So far.”
*“Part of being a grownup is tolerating people you really, really don’t care for. When I was about François’ age, my parents told me that it’s fine (and frankly more honest) to admit that you don’t like someone and think they’re idiots. It’s not, however, necessary to rub their noses in it.”
*“I’m a big believer in either solving your own problems or recognizing that they don’t need to be solved. Life is messy. Realize that the insane person in your life was always that way, and if he or she really thinks that you come from Mars, after one or two attempts to change their mind, it’s simply not going to happen. Don’t turn into a Martian to appease them. If you can’t avoid them and are feeling mischievous, entertain yourself by doing things you know will annoy them! Push those buttons merrily and unapologetically! On second thought, that’s strictly social – don’t try that at work.”
Now, I don’t watch “The Real Housewives of New York City,” but I can’t help but wonder if Alex was thinking about her fellow “Housewives” when she wrote this. What are the chances? Does this essay sound just like the Alex that is on TV?
And what is it about “Real Housewives” – from New York City, to be more specific – thinking they need to offer us advice? Would you take advice from Alex? What about Countess LuAnn de Lesseps? Would you buy her book, which offers the common man (or woman) advice on living life with elegance and flair?
Update: A real-life Jersey girl (that would be me – 
born, bred and still resides) will blog live on Facebook beginning at 11 p.m. EDT Tuesday, May 12, during the premiere of Bravo’s “Real Housewives of New Jersey.” Come join me and share your thoughts as we meet these five women. Click here or look up my handle, TV Blogger Ava Gacser, on Facebook. I look forward to seeing you!
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