This week I went and saw a show at one of our fine local music venues. As I typically do, I showed up late and did what I normally do, head straight to the bar. As the venue was rather intimate and there was not a place to stand at the bar and get a drink without blocking people, or just being an ass, I skulked to the back of the room in defeat and sans drink.
Unbeknown to me, this set of events was witnessed by a gentleman who took pity on my sad fruitless venture. A few minutes later, a resigned to no drinks me, was told by a waitress that “the gentleman” wanted to buy me a drink. It was just like an episode of the Golden Girls. I felt like Blanche! I was right on script in my response, I asked which gentleman was she referring to. Obviously the waitress pointed out to whom I would soon be indebted.
So now the point, and the sad truth… I became so uncomfortable with this exchange. I actually said to the waitress that this made feel uncomfortable and awkward. The waitress seemed to find my verbal diarrhea TMI and just asked if I wanted one or not. I appreciated that she was not on the page because it pointed out what a dork I was. I wanted the drink and was happy to have it. I just wasn’t sure what issues it raised to receive a drink in that classic fashion. Was I going to have to hang out with him for a certain amount of time, or have a brief exchange? Was he going to invite me out to dinner and I’d have to politely decline?
Really, I had no idea how to internally process such a small gesture. This is where I began to feel, more like Dorothy from the Golden Girls and that is a ugly feeling. I think I handled it quite well though. I just proactively went over and thanked him for his generosity and thusly returned to my spot. He was a very nice gentleman, and I felt bad for being some kind of paranoid loon who can’t take a compliment or a nice gesture. It was pretty lame of me. I am going to begin calling these Dorothys. I totally Dorothied!
February 29th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
So honestly as I started reading this I thought Chris wrote it….
Imagine THAT context!!!!