But She Smiled At Me !

I honestly enjoy having conversations with my MFs (Male Friends) regarding the dating dance that we do as adults. Some things I play dumb with, you know, act as if I am not apprised to certain male activities and the consequences and meanings thereof.

However, I must say that one of my past conversations left me puzzled about how men view a woman's advances or the lack thereof.

I was out on the town with one of the THE GIRLS. We attended a happy hour that one of our MFs puts together weekly in the city. One of the GREATEST things about this recession is that I am no longer so quick to head to the bar to get a drink. Pre - recession, that was my first stop... the bar to get a drink for me and THE GIRLS. However, during this recession I have learned to be patient and wait on the drinks to come to me.... and BOY, who knew ?!?!?!?!

So, me and one of THE GIRLS are sitting at the bar, chit chatting and having drinks so graciously paid for by a cutie sitting next to her. SIDEBAR: (Said cutie didn't even want conversation... MAJOR PLUS....he just bought the cocktails, told us to have a nice time, then he went on about his business...MAJOR PLUS) Anywho, while sitting there, laughing, talking, sipping, you know... doing what GIRLFRIENDS do, we were almost instantaneously swarmed by other gentlemen in the establishment. We made conversation with some, smiled at others, flipped our hair, laughed, etc.

A gentleman in his mid 20's approached me. I was the LEAST bit interested, but decided to be nice. He said that he worked in television, lived in Brooklyn, yadda, yadda, yadda... Oh my word, he was saying some of the MOST ridiculous things that men in their 20's say. I believe he even asked me what my sign was and also offered the most common rebuttal known to mankind, "What Your Man Got Ta Do With Me?". My homegirl was sitting next to me, making small talk with another gentleman. He appeared to be about mid to late 30's, professional, suited and booted... just her type. From the outside looking in it appeared that they were having a nice conversation and they were interested in what the other had to say.

Thinking nothing of it, I complimented the 30+ year old guy on his necktie. It was a subtle, "I really like your tie, it's nice." BOY !!! Why did I do that ? It was as if bells and whistles went off in his head and at that moment everything got weird. His eyes zeroed in on me with that "Ladies Man ..Come Hither" look. The tone in his voice went from "Barack Obama" to "Goldie from The Mack" and he literally attempted to flirt with me RIGHT in front of my girlfriend with whom he had been talking to for 30+ minutes. He bought her a drink, smiled in her face and I believe he even asked for her phone number. My one LITTLE comment changed everything, even his pursuits.

My girl noticed it as well and proffered a, "Hey...what the heck !!! You were just flirting with me and now you have the audacity to attempt to flirt with my friend right in front of me ?"

He responded, "BUT SHE SMILED AT ME ...."

For real ????

When I told this story to one of my MFs, I explained how flabbergasted we were that this man would be so rude to come on to me, after he had attempted to kick it to my girl. He simply replied, "You are young, and apparently you don't know shit ... a smile and a compliment ???.... you better be glad he didn't try to take you home.. it doesn't take much..."

Apparently, I AM naive and "don't know shit" ....