Character traits used to describe me might be caring, calm, level-headed….and so on and so on.
All in all, I am fairly easy-going and laid back.
I love to have a good laugh and I enjoy a bit of exaggerated storytelling.
When it comes to my own children and my behavior management of them (yes, that is the teacher talk in me), I continue to enjoy a steady, calm, everyone-loves-everyone atmosphere.
However, when I have to say something for the 3rd time, steady and calm take a hike and an awkward thing happens to my vocal cords.
The normally jolly, happy-go-lucky lady voice turns into an “I just smoked a pack of cigarettes, I weigh 300 lbs and I’m gonna open up a can of whoop ass” voice.
It rolls up my throat and out into the world…it is My Man Voice.
Yes, it has been identified and named.
I use it as a threat, sort of like how Dr. Banner (The Incredible Hulk) used to say “Don’t make me angry, you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”
But instead, I say, “You better do what I say or else you’ll get My Man Voice.”
Recently, the voice appeared while I was head first in the dryer pulling out the millionth load of laundry. Someone did or didn’t do something for the 3rd time and out it came, echoing and thundering from inside the dryer. It was amazing! A bit of terror crossed my children’s faces.
Are they really frightened of me with my man voice? No, please, I am not that foolish. But it does make them attentive and obedient, if for just a short time. And that’s all I need…. a little “we’re all in this together” from time to time.
Thank you My Man Voice!
My mom didn’t have a “man voice”, but she did have The Look of Death. I behaved so my mother wouldn’t “look” at me. In high school my friends thought I was insane, until one of them deservedly got “the Look”, and word was spread not to upset Tammy’s mom!
“The Look” was always preceded by an eerily calm voice. To this day I pay more attention to people when they are obviously controlling their voice than when they are yelling.
I wish I had my own version of a “man voice”. What a wonderful bit of story telling! Thank you helping me start my Friday with a laugh.
Wow, good for your mom! Those silent, deadly looks can be powerful!