the ponytail
True story. Tonight I took Z to Cafe Rio for dinner because I felt sorry for myself that I would be eating alone. The line was longer than I would have liked, but whatever. Z was in her stroller, and there I was, trying to count up my Cafe Rio stamps on the frequent diner card when this gentleman behind me starts chatting me up.
"Do you have enough?" he asks me.
I was a little surprised that he was talking to me, but rather than be my usual stand-offish self (am I stand-offish? That doesn't sound like the right word. But I am usually suspicious when strangers talk to me. So I try to avoid it. Go on, say I'm mean.) so I smiled and said no - (which, in and of itself, that was quite a blow. For WEEKS I've been looking forward to a free cafe rio dinner, then to find out I still had to buy like two more dinners before getting a free one? Devastating).
Then he asked me if I had the chili beef burrito, he said he hadn't been there in awhile. And we chit-chatted about the menu. Inside I was thinking, wow, look at me, I'm smiling and chatting with this stranger, even though part of me is wondering if he will follow me to the parking lot after. That thought made me stop. I was polite though, you know. I just let the silence be silence, and it became awkward, because we were stuck in this line, you know? Just standing there. Had we never spoken in the first place, that wouldn't have been awkward, but once you start talking, it's hard to go back.
Anyway. We'd ordered our food, and I was waiting to tell the guy making the food if I wanted beans, avocado, whatever, on my salad, when the guy said, "can you take a compliment?"
And I said, "sure."
And he said "Is your hair real? Your pony tail, is it all yours? With the red highlights and everything?"
And I laughed, politely, and I said, why yes it is. Thank you for the compliment.
And he said again "It's beautiful."
Then, thankfully, the guy making my salad was ready for me, so the conversation ended there. I paid, and left, looking over my shoulder as I walked to my car (he didn't follow.)
But here's the real kicker: did I mention he was like...I don't know...maybe 62 or something?
Guess I still got it. haha! :)
I got hit on once by a "gentleman" around that age at a baptism of all places. You aren't mean! you just have an active imagination combined with street smarts. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a remarkable pony tail, I must say.
ReplyDeleteIt is BEAUTIFUL, just like he said. I'm actually envious of it! But yes, you've definitely still got it.
ReplyDeletePS, this picture, taken the same day the man complimented my hair, was actually meant to show how NOT compliment-worthy my hair is. It was tangled and not brushed and probably not washed and generally pretty scruffy. haha. will it ever change? probably not. but thanks for the nice things you guys have said.
ReplyDeleteWAH? Is there a market for fake ponytails or something? So random. And too funny.
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh.
ReplyDeletei love love love love love your blog.
i've been meaning to read it for-ev-er. had to ask my fav cousin for the address. forgot it... then stumbled upon it.
thanks for being so funny.
ps. we watched new york doll in a class at school. i used to think it was crazy you and jimmy loved it. turns out... it's great. and turns out that i love it too. guess i didn't have good taste as an 18 year old.
but i hope to see you soon, friend.
Haha. Thanks Hailey!! I KNEW you'd love that movie one day!!! That last part... a poor wayfaring man of grief, still moves me.
ReplyDelete