She is not the first to have said this. I would love to know why some people find me annoying ! I don't find it particularly hurtful or even annoying, it's just that from an academic perspective I'd love to know what it is that I say/do that rubs people up the wrong way.
Of course, I should just ask, but it's very difficult to to see the value of asking. I figure that
- it's such an off-the-cuff remark that even the "remarker" might not be sure why
- if I was to ask, the remarker might feel it's too hurtful to say why
- I am too shy to challenge someone directly
- by challenging them I might be even MORE annoying
Ho hum ...