So this morning my lazy ass puts on just a hoodie and jeans before work, no shirt. When I get downstairs my wife says loudly that "Daddy's trying to look sexy for [a mom at kid's bus stop]".

In the past I would have said: "this is sexy?" or "[other mom] doesn't think I'm sexy".

Instead I said, loudly also to include my daughter, "this is mommy's roundabout way of saying I look sexy. Nice compliment and I'll take it."

  • not defensive, so shit test avoided
  • reveals a little dread about neighbor mom
  • doesn't disagree that I'm sexy

Mom and daughter laugh and smiles all around.