Essentially, I looked like a hot mess.
Now, as a young woman in New York City, you're bound to get hit on on a semi-regular basis. I'd say conservatively once a week, no matter WHO you are or WHAT you looked like. Usually, it doesn't matter, and I'm good at either being dismissive or playing aloof and ignoring it all.
There are a few instances where getting hit on is rather unfortunate.
1) When you're walking in the same direction as someone and they just keep following you.
2) When they're super aggressive and then get angry when dismissed/ignored.
3) When they're standing right outside your doctor's office when you are cranky and look like a homeless person.
This guy (probably mid 30s) was standing right outside my office building. He started talking to me when I was a solid twenty feet away. "Hey gorgeous. You are so beautiful, look at her, isn't she so beautiful. How are you doing? How's this morning going?" I tried to play aloof but as I was walking RIGHT to where he was standing, it made things a little more complicated. He was standing with the office doorman (a guy I actually really like/have talked to). The doorman just looked kind of embarrassed. I did as well. As I walk into the building my admirer tried again, "You are so gorgeous, baby!" Seeing as I couldn't find a way to ignore this and I was late, I just said "Thanks." He replied with the classic, "No, thank YOU."
Finally, I escaped the lobby. I went up to my doctor's appointment feeling rejuvenated and much less cranky. When I got back downstairs my friend and the doorman were standing in the lobby, I said a quick goodbye (mainly to the doorman) and made my way toward the west side.
I hadn't gotten much more than a block when I hear this panting beside me. I turn to my right, and sure enough, there is my friend from before, sweaty and heaving next to me. "Hey, so, I waited for you to be done and then you left so quickly so I had to run down the block, but I wanted to give you this and see if I can buy you breakfast sometime." He handed me a folded note and I said "Oh." He turned the corner and said "Call me!" and I think I made some kind of awkward uncomfortable noise and scooted away.
Now, to be fair, there is no situation that I would call this guy. His odds of getting my number from the START were not very good. However, here is a couple pointers of how he could've done this better.
1) Don't tell me that you sat in a lobby and waited for me to be done with a doctor's appointment to. That is creepy and intense.
2) Don't sprint down the block to the point where you are out of breath and sweating. As any of my friends can attest, I am not a speed walker.
3) Don't tell me that you sprinted down the block to catch up with me.
4) Breakfast? Is that the ideal date? Even brunch would sound appealing.
If he had just left his number with the doorman, I would feel considerably less creeped out by this entire situation. So... sorry Leonardo. Not going to meet you for breakfast!
I only hope he's not there the next time I have to go to the doctor...
