#unwanted attention
Story time!
If you don’t know, I work in a homeless shelter trying to get the homeless population in my city housed. My client yesterday is an old paranoid schizophrenic who spent the majority of the meeting hitting on me while I was trying to do his paperwork. I shut that shit down firmly.
But anyway, I’m minding my own business walking to the shelter today and trying to cross a busy street. While I’m waiting for the light; I hear some heathen catcalling me, and it goes something like this:
“Heyyyyy, yo beautiful! I like the way she walks.”
I’m thinking to myself, “What in all holy hell?” Bear in mind that I’m dressed like a frumpy lumberjack with a flannel and jeans, so I don’t know what part of this outfit is so damn attractive to this dude. While I’m ignoring him, the fellow goes, “Aww, I don’t think she like that.”
In any case, I turn to this fool to rip him a new one and replied, “You said WHAT, now?” And I realize that it’s my same client from yesterday. But ol’ Romeo doesn’t recognize me because I’m wearing my glasses. I take them off and look at him and say, “Now, (name), I know you know better than that.”
And the look on his face was priceless. He places his hand on his heart and leans back and wails, “OH! UH OH, THAT’S MY CASE MANAGER!” And his friend loses it.
And that’s how my week is going.
BecauseNomeansNo, but is often interpreted as Yes! Yey! Okay! Maybe! Fun times! Try harder! You can have me as long as I’m single! Yey! I’m your property!
Because the internet looks like this:
(The following comments are in response to an article called Stop Saying “I Have A Boyfriend” To Deflect Unwanted Attention.)
Because I have recently had these two conversations:
Convo 1:
Late night, post-party, waiting for a taxi with a friend on an empty street. Two Random Dudes approach us.
RD: Hey are you okay? Do you need help?
Me: No, thanks. We’re okay. Thanks for asking.
RD: Where are you from?
Me:XYZ
RD: Cool. We’re from ZYX.
Me: That’s nice.
RD: Can I have your number?
Me: No, sorry.
RD: Why not?
Me: I don’t know you. I don’t like handing my number out just like that.
RD: But I’m a nice guy.
Me: I bet you are, but I’ve had some bad experiences.
RD: Yeah, but I’M A NICE GUY!
Me: Yeah, but I can’t know that for sure.
RD: I AM! (Random Dudeisn’t really being so nice anymore)
Me: I’m sorry, I can’t give you my number.
RD: Why won’t just give me your number? I’m just trying to be nice to you! I asked if you needed help! I’m a nice guy! Do you have a boyfriend or something? Oh, you have boyfriend, don’t you? Sorry, sorry! Sorry! Have a nice night! Bye!
Convo 2:
Walking in town. Evening.
Random Dude: Excuse me, do you have a cigarette?
Me: No, sorry. (First attempt to leave.)
RD: Hey, wait! Wait! What’s your name?
Me:Name.
RD:I’m Name.
Me: Oh, okay, bye. (Second attempt to leave)
RD: Hey, can I have your number?
Me: Sorry, I don’t give my number to strangers.
RD: Do you have a boyfriend?
Me: No… Why…?
RD: So give me your number!
Me: No, I’m sorry. I just don’t know you and I don’t feel comfortable giving you my number.
RD: You have a boyfriend then?
Me: Why is that even relevant?! I’m a person too, you know! I don’t want to give you my number because I don’t want to. (Leaving.)
RD: I get it. You have a boyfriend. Sorry! Bye!
