Treppenwitz in job search?
Treppenwitz is a wonderful German word that describes “that flash of genius you get for a clever comeback after the opportunity has passed you by.”
One example of Treppenwitz from the job search world might occur after a job interview where the interviewer did all the talking, barely looking at you as they kept checking their mobile phone and watch. Then as he shakes your hand good-bye, he smiles and says “It was really great meeting you!”
Although you’re taken aback by his sudden show of enthusiasm, you just say something polite like “Thank you. It was my pleasure.” But your moment of Treppenwitz comes later when you realize you COULD have said “Meeting me? I didn’t think you knew I was in the room!”
Not that I suggest you ever do that. But oh there are times when it would feel so great, wouldn’t it?
[For another cool German word see also Schadenfreude.]
ALSO: In French, l’esprit de l’escalier (staircase wit).
Check out more career definitions!
Treppenwitz is literally “wisdom of the staircase” which is borrowed from the French “esprit de l’escalier”.
Yes. Exactly. Thanks for adding that, Richard. The idea is you realize what you could have said after you’ve left and are already on the stairs (or wherever) on your way out!
My pleasure perri. Thanks for appreciating. 😉
~ Ronnie Ann
dweathersby, that knockout punch would make Muhammad Ali proud.
I’m slow at the clever comeback. 🙁
Thanks for posting, Ronnie Ann!
Must have felt great to find your comeback voice after all those years of being treated so cruelly. Glad you are well past Treppenwitz! 😉
I used to be pretty good at sharp comebacks when I was young, but after one or two instances where it was NOT deserved, I’ve backed off. But in most cases just turning the other cheek doesn’t let the other person – or you yourself – know your boundaries. People shouldn’t expect a free license to be verbally abusive without being able to take what they give. Glad you made that clear.
In the best of moments, my technique is to breathe deeply, look right at them and call them on it, asking why they are intentionally being so cruel to me. In one recent case with a family member, the other person was flabbergasted and told me they love me…just that’s how we’ve always communicated. I said gently and lovingly “Not anymore. And I love you too.” (We actually got past something big from childhood, btw. And i established a boundary I had never dare bring up.)
BTW…in parts of my family a size 12 would have been “too skinny”. Thanks for sharing, D.
~ Ronnie Ann
LOL. Whether it’s after a job interview or an unpleasant encounter with someone, I think everyone has experienced Treppenwitz.
True story.
Growing up, I was always the heaviest female among my cousins, aunts, etc. Whenever, I attended a family gathering, a relative would snidely comment on my weight “problems”. (At the time, I wore a size 12, while others wore sizes 6-10. I was also 5’9″ and muscular due to being extremely athletic). Experienced “Treppenwitz”.
As the years passed, my weight shifted to different areas and I got my girlie figure (big boobs, wide hips, small waist, flat stomach and big feet.) LOL. Again, relatives would make snide comments. Again, “Treppenwitz.”
One day, while at another family gathering, several relatives commented on my figure. Fed up, I provided wonderful comments regarding THEIR weight, THEIR lack of education, and THEIR lack of manners. Yep, they were stunned to hear my reply.
Fast forward 15 years. Female relative and her negative comment. Calmly, I smiled and replied, “Oh, (her name), I knew that was YOU, I recognized the dress you’re wearing. It looks better and better each time you wear it!”
She was stunned. For the knock out punch, I added, “I guess all of those tacos, cakes and other foods have NOT been kind to your body nor has time been kind to your face. You may want to consider wearing a FULL-FIGURE girdle AND staying away from stressful situations.”
Great comebacks. No more snide remarks. Problem solved. Sorry it took me years to speak up.