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Seriously... What is with these guys?

"Hey ... I'm Michael!"

"Congratulations"

I was sitting in one of my favorite café's not far from the Watson Institute. The breakfast rush was over and we were nowhere near lunch so the place was near empty (the way I like it).

I was spread out all over the table ... a large textbook, my laptop, and my tablet ... and I was typing away on the laptop. In the midst of my mess was a half consumed cup of tea. Yes, for those of you who don't yet know, I am back in the world of academia.

So I'm deep in a very focused thought process and formulating my paper on the laptop while reviewing my class notes on my tablet and this random dude sits at my table and says hey. 🙄

"I figured I'd introduce myself since I've seen you here a bunch of times."

"Mission complete," and I continued typing.

"So you're obviously in the grad school, huh?"

"Figure that out all by yourself?" and still I haven't looked up.

I really hate when this happens. I mean I feel bad for the guy, but his social issues aren't my problem; I'm busy. AND, he's clearly an undergrad and I'm thirty freakin' years old (and engaged). I know I look younger, but come on! Open your eyes dude! There is zero chance.

"I'm just trying to be friendly."

Finally I look up. "Yes, I did notice that. I, on the other hand, am trying really hard to make productive use of the time I have here today."

"Making friends isn't productive?"

"I have friends."

"Can I at least get your name?"

"On one condition."

"Yes?"

"That you take the win and walk away."

"Deal."

"Hi Michael, I'm Sara. Nice to meet you," and I present a fist for a bump (a handshake would encourage him far too much).

"Hi Sara! What are you working on?"

"Take the win Michael."

"Oh, right, okay. I'll see you around."





This was this morning in Providence. I could've gone right to "I'm engaged", but honestly that's none of his business and he could've just noticed the ring.

Anyway, I might need to find a new fav café. 🙄
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MommyLucy · 36-40, F
Because of my autism I can be overly friendly as I'm like a big kid but anyway I liked how you used different colours for the conversation, I did that on some of my Similar Worlds stories I written! 😍😍😍 The red for you and blue for the man you saw is the same technique I occasionally do for conversations in some of my made up stories! 😁😁😁 I hope he leaves you alone next time! 😕😕😕
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@MommyLucy Thanks Lucy. Yes, I've done that a few times as well. 🙂
black4white · 56-60, M
You did well and at the same time both were respectful and you too should take the win… Men are men and that’s how we are programmed it’s NOT about the ring and him noticing… You are 30 and still in your prime and once your married it won’t stop why …. men are men and just how we are programmed
Some are more mature and will not approach and some are not. In this case I see that he did nothing wrong BUT you were annoyed and handled it VERY well.
BTW…Sara take the win … GREAT JOB !!! And it’s not the cafe …if you got it going on you got it going on 😁🥰😁
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@black4white Thanks. And, yes, I get it. My annoyance, just for the record, stemmed from the fact that I was obviously busy working. But yes, I get the programming. 🙂
black4white · 56-60, M
@sarabee1995 point well made and totally understandable…and in that case the annoyance is valid lol
Kudos to you…
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
Well the main thing is that he backed off and didn't become aggressive. So despite the unwelcome and annoying approach, you resolved the situation well and perhaps he will take onboard a lesson . . so quite a productive use of time after all 🙂

Congratulations on going back to university!
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@SunshineGirl Thanks! Started back at the beginning of September. 🙂
Barefooter25 · 46-50, M
If the engagement ring didn't give him a clue or the fact that you wanted to be left alone, I don't think there's much hope for that guy when it comes to common sense. You could have mentioned you are engaged to a woman but you're right, it's none of his business and that response would have flown over him.
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@Barefooter25 Exactly. Neither fact were any of his business. I was busy working and he was interrupting.
pdockal · 56-60, M
I'm not trying to be rude but you were in a public place ... not the library or office ... so i don't see the harm
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@pdockal I was. Which is why his breach of etiquette was offensive to me.
pdockal · 56-60, M
@sarabee1995

We'll have to agree to disagree
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@pdockal Sorry, I thought we were in agreement? His behavior was a breach of the etiquette that you and I were taught as kids, right?

I mean, I suppose we can disagree if you'd prefer. I just thought we were in agreement. 🤷‍♀
Straylight · 31-35, F
It a pet peeve of mine when I’m reading a book (for study or fun) and someone wants to ask about what I’m reading. This is like someone watching a movie and you keep pausing it to ask them questions.
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@Straylight Oh it's way more than a "pet peeve" for me. I'm on the edge of violence when peeps do this to me like this guy.
Straylight · 31-35, F
@sarabee1995 And another pet peeve is being chatted up by guys. It’s not their fault really, at least they’re making the effort to meet someone in person. It’s me, it rubs me the wrong way.
So a guy interrupting my reading to flirt would bring me dangerously close to violence.
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@Straylight I posted a story here some years back that turned into a series of stories. It started with a guy chatting me up, but in the story I included the thoughts going on inside my head. I needed to do damage control in the comments because people saw my thoughts. 🤷‍♀
Stephie · F
I know that feeling when you want nothing more than your quiet time to go over your books. It is not that we sit down at a table just waiting for the next person to sit opposite you like for speed dating.

In the olden days, you used to have phones on each table with a table number displayed prominently and you could always refuse a call. No such luck nowadays.

Next time, just put on those fake rotten teeth before you sit down and have yourself a pickled herring fillet before sitting down. That should take care of the problem.
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@Stephie Lol, if only I liked pickled herring! 🤣🤣🤣
Stephie · F
@sarabee1995 What! A sailor that does not like pickled herring. I am falling off my chair 😱
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@Stephie 🤷‍♀
KiwiBird · 36-40, F
I get the feeling this is the start of a series....
Now I need a name...you like the crab shack guy. 🤣
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@KiwiBird Lol, I see the similarities, but Crab Shack Guy succeeded in getting far more of my attention than he deserved and I don't see ... cafe guy doing the same. We'll see. I'll keep you posted.
Lhayezee · 26-30, F
I'm stealing "mission complete" if thats ok
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@Lhayezee Hahaha, go for it!
ajent86 · 56-60, M
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@ajent86 👍
Livingwell · 61-69, M
Going for the PhD?
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@Livingwell 🤫🤫🤫

🤣
Livingwell · 61-69, M
@sarabee1995 I'm very proud of you and your love and service for our country.
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@Livingwell Thank you ❤
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sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@SinlessOnslaught Lol, good save! 😉
@sarabee1995
My younger cousin wore a fake wedding ring to keep guys away.
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@NativePortlander1970 I'm not sure that would work. I was wearing my engagement ring. 🤷‍♀

 
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