A few people will tell you I’m rather unapproachable. They’ll say I just have that look that says, “No.” I’ll lean my elbows against a bar in silence by myself and be completely content not making contact with a soul. I’ve been known to say, “Don’t talk. Drink.” However, for some reason, strangers continue to come up and chat with me on the street, at the gym, walking down the block or even at the mall. I can’t explain it, but it seems that the only place people don’t seem comfortable approaching me is at a place meant for people to be approached.
One person said I was a bit intimidating, which I thought was pretty cool because anyone that knows me will tell you I’m the furthest thing from it. Others say I look mean, which I can live with. Any my close friends will tell you though, that I’m generally a really laid back, fun loving, and lively person.
Never have I ever just talked to random people at a bar, and here’s why. I hate small talk. I’m socially awkward when it comes to getting to know someone in a very general sense. “What do you do? Where are you from? What’s your name?” I just can’t get into the habit of liking this small but very necessary nonsense. You do need to know someone’s name and it’s good to know what they do. I, however, can have an entire conversation with someone and be completely impersonal.
I like to get into it. “Would you rather have 11 fingers or 11 toes? What’s the difference between a midget and a dwarf? What TV do you watch? (mainly looking for Friends as the answer)” I can and have had 30 minute conversations with people without knowing their names, but never have I ever talked to someone in order to try to get to know them, especially at a bar (because I know how socially awkward I am.)
Last week I went to a bar with a few people. I was getting bored so I decided I’d try and just talk to people like how normal people do, not the way I do. I stood at the bar looking for someone I’d like to make uncomfortable by talking to them. Eventually I found a target, a woman that I wouldn’t be upset getting shot down by.
I asked what she was having, how she liked it, if she knew any other good tasting drinks. Eventually I asked what her name was and what she did. I seemed to be doing okay until I ran out of generic questions I don’t really care about except for name. I decided to lay a test questions, “Do you think the Smurfs and the Snorks live in the same universe or do you think it’s like GI Joe and Thundercats, just two different worlds?” Apparently that’s a thumbs down question. To her defense though, as soon as the question left my mouth I thought, “Did I really just ask this poor girl this?” I hate talking to people.
I met another person. Even though it was a friend’s girlfriend I still didn’t know her previously so it counts. She seemed to tolerate my sense of humor more so than the other person, but that’s most likely because she wasn’t afraid that I’d hit on her or something of that nature.
So, I guess the lesson of this blog is, “Don’t let all the crazy out at one time with someone you just met or are trying to meet. Let it out in small doses.” I will probably never follow this advice because the first person that really gets my sense of humor is marrying me and/or going home with me that night. I don’t care if it’s a dude, a pedophile, or a fucking serial killer. FML
No comments:
Post a Comment