A Date in the Life of...

As I mentioned in my “Is It Me?” post, I have had quite a few “interesting” dating experiences of late, the last of which takes the cake and might even provide a bit more insight into the ramblings of my previous post.

Set-up: Guy meets girl for coffee, they have great conversation, guy asks girl to go to the movies and then guy is late for the movie, so there are barely time for two words before the movie begins.
Guy: By the way, you look really nice
Girl: Thanks
Guy: What don’t I look nice
(Hindsight: first clue to insecurities)

The movie is over and Guy and Girl start to walk out of the theater.
Guy: Did you like the movie
Girl: Yeah, it was really good
Guy: Oh wait, I forgot my keys (he turns to walk back into the theater)
Girl: (calls after him) going to the ladies room

Girl comes out of ladies room, can’t find guy anywhere. Sends text:
Girl: ???
Guy: You left…
Girl: Umm, no when you said you were going back for your keys I said I was going to the ladies room
Guy: I had to go back for my keys
Guy: I never heard you
Girl: Oh Did you think I would just walk off?
Girl: Well goodnight I guess, thanks for the movie. Hope you enjoyed it.
Guy: I did
Girl: Next time, maybe you could check first before assuming I am a jerk.

MORE RANDOM TEXTING

Girl: Ok. This is pretty funny
Guy: I could just tell that you’re not all that into me, so I wasn’t going to make you feel bad for wanting to leave
Girl: Seriously?

MORE RANDOM TEXTING: followed by a phone call, this seemed to go really well.
Both guy and girl explained where they were coming from and agreed that they should try that again except over dinner instead of a movie so there was more opportunity to converse and get to know each other. They agreed to dinner on Tuesday evening.
(Hindsight: what kind of guy just leaves a theater on the assumption that his date would walked off without at least checking first.)

Couple of random phone conversations and texting that all seemed to follow the track of the post-theater phone call. Then Girl sends text:
Girl: So not ready for Monday
Guy: I am… I’m off!
Girl: Lucky you Mondays are the worst. And the next two will be crazy because in 2 weeks, I am traveling for 2 weeks.
Guy: Ok ok, I can take a hint!
Girl: What is the hint?
Guy: You’re too busy, blah, blah, blah… ;)
Girl: Whatever. That’s not what I was saying :P. Just commenting on my craziness at work.
Guy: That’s more like it! ;)
(Hindsight: Guy apparently needs his ego constantly stroked. Note above “don’t I look nice” sentiment which was repeated in phone conversations about whether or not I ever give a guy a compliment.)

Then Guy sends Girl a message that he cannot make it on Tuesday due to work. Girl says how about Thursday. Guy says I will check. Girl says just let me know. More random texting/talking. Then:

Guy: Just think… at the pace we’re on, by this time next year we will know each other’s middle names! Lol
Girl: LOL. Middle names, I don’t even know your last name.
Guy: See
Girl: That is an interesting last name.
Guy: Hahaha
Guy: You sure you’re attracted to me beyond a plutonic (his spelling not mine) level?
Girl: (serious internal debate about how to respond because a lot of this ground was covered on Thursday evening after movie debacle, then): I am interested in going out with you again and getting to know you better. And I find you attractive, but given that we have only been on a little more than one date (not sure if the movie counts ;) I just though we would see where it goes.

After no response from Guy, the next day, Girl decides to follow-up.
Girl: How was Stone Mountain? Did you get to see the laser show?
Guy: We actually had a great time…How was the rest of your Monday? ;)
Girl: Sounds like fun. My Monday was crazy busy. So tired I went to bed at 8. Today is shaping up to be just as much fun.

Radio silence from Guy, Girl kind of loosing interest due to constant needs to reassure guy of interest. That is not who she is. Especially, when she is just getting to know someone. Assumes Thursday is a no go, since Guy never responds on availability. And then Guy sends text on Wednesday evening at 9:30 p.m.

Guy: Change your mind?
Girl: About what?
Guy: Tomorrow
Girl: What about tomorrow? Last I knew you weren’t sure if you were free. Given I hadn’t heard anything, assumed you weren’t
Guy: Oh, ok
Girl: Ok what?
Guy: Ok, sorry I asked.
Girl: No reason to be sorry. Just not sure what is up
Guy: see this is what I’m talking about You could have at least said hello today since Thursday was your suggestion.
Guy: (7 minutes later): or not
Girl: Really not even sure what to say
Guy: Ok. Well, I won’t bother you.
Guy: (6 minutes later) Even though it’s pretty disappointing
Guy: (11 minutes later) Hello?

At this point, Girl realizes that Guy is once again waiting for her to jump in and soothe his ego. Unfortunately, Guy does not know Girl very well. Needless to say, I gave him a piece of my mind:

Girl: (text 1) I'm sorry what is it you want from me? I told you I was attracted to you and would like to get to know you better, but that apparently wasn't good enough. You cancelled on Tuesday due to work, I suggested Thursday and you said you would check, but never respond and it was my job to pursue you. As far as I know I have never not responded to a message or a phone call from you, but apparently if I don't reach out to you ever day, I am doing something wrong.

Girl: (text 2) When did the rules change? I told you I was not the type of girl to make the first move. And still you keep pushing me. Whatever happened to the guy going after the girl? What happened to you are a lady and deserve to be treated like one. What happened to guy meets girl, guy likes girl, guy pursues girl. What happened to getting to know someone before trying to define everything? And what is with over analyzing everything I say. I told you I would be straightforward, that I don't play games.

Guy: Are you like this with every guy you date?
Girl: Like what?
Guy: I haven't asked to define a thing. All I asked is that you show an interest. I get chivalry. At some point though, any guy would want to feel like he is not the only one making an effort to show he's interested. Oh yea, I analyze because that's the way I am. That's not going to change.
Guy: (3 minutes later): And I don't push you
Guy: (21 minutes later) Or mean to anyway


Needless to say, I did not respond further. Despite the many, many potential responses that came to mind, I decided to take the high road and just move on.

SERIOUSLY!!!

Once again, I end up laughing my ass off about the absurdity of the guys I keep finding myself on dates with.