I didn't want to co-opt Snoopyace's thread with my own review(s), so I figured I'd start a new one.
I had an interesting experience Friday, and I'm still trying to sort out if it was Aqua Vitae or other factors. First, the obligatory app details: 2 inches to each wrist, 2 inches under each ear. Lengths are approximate. Covered with Green Irish Tweed.
So I work for a large aircraft manufacturer in Washington state as those of you who know me may be aware. I started there working in one location, then in the summer of '08, I was transferred to another. As of Friday, I've returned to the original place, and I wanted to herald my return with some bold pheromonal strokes. I decided that Aqua Vitae would do the trick.
People were generally pleasant with me, and most of the first part of the day was spent catching up with former coworkers and meeting a few of the new faces. About 3 hours into the shift, I was given an assignment, and so set about working on it. I was working alongside an old friend of mine and we were just bantering back and forth and having a good ol' time about it. Some guy walks up, who's obviously not a manager (distinct lack of generic khaki pants and button-up shirt being the tell-tale sign), and he started fiddling around with my job materials. I stopped talking, looked at the guy sideways and said "Who the hell are you?"
He just looked at me surprised and said "Nobody important" and walked away with his tail between his legs. My friend busted out laughing and said "Holy shit, man, I can't believe you did that!"
Now, this may not seem like a big deal, but most of the time, I'm non-confrontational. Usually, my reaction would be to look at the guy but not say anything out of a fear of causing some kind of scene. In the past, I've wanted to improve my assertiveness and try not to be a doormat for people, but this is the first time I can think of that I established my territory as definitively as that. I wasn't rude, beyond using "hell", rather I was matter-of-fact and controlled in my tone, with just a bit of authority to it.
Later, I found out the guy was a machinist who occasionally did work in our area to fill in lag times in his machine shop. I was afraid I'd made an enemy, but people who knew him assured me that by doing that, I established an understanding and a level of respect.
My reaction? I grinned and said "Cool!" It was kinda like that feeling of liberation Ed Norton's character got in Fight Club after beating the snot out of someone for the first time.