by Guest » Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:22 am
[quote1229270507=Neuromancer]How do you know that a woman isn't available to interact with if you don't find out. I took my son to the doctor last week and there was a girl in the waiting room waiting for the doc. I don't know why she was there but she engaged me on conversation and let me know she was of legal age and enjoyed my presence.
I didn't pursue because my mother came along because my sons mom set the doctors appointment up through her. My mom is the worst DLVing wing you could ask for. She gave me shit in the elevator for flirting with the girl in the waiting room.
The thing is, HBwaitingroom was open to interaction. She initiated. Maybe she just wanted to talk to someone. The only way to tell if you can brighten someones life with your presence is by brightening someones life with your presence.
It's not about banging the chick in the waiting room, it's about having enjoyable social interactions no matter where you are or where they lead.[/quote1229270507]
Your example doesn't quite fit into the overall argument. She engaged you. In such a case, you have every right to pursue an enjoyable social interaction. That's fine. If someone engages me, I'm more than happy to play along. This is an example of being opportunistic.
What we're arguing about is whether or not it's appropriate to actively pursue an interaction with someone under certain circumstances. I contend that sometimes the socially appropriate thing to do is simply leave someone alone. The doctor waiting room is probably one of those times, unless Fate intervenes.
Anyway, I was thinking about this last night and I might have a slightly different view on this subject matter than the rest of you guys. Geography. I live in an in-fill location. So, I live, for all intents and purposes, in the city. (Note that I define in the city as anything inside Northwest Highway and north of 30.) I grew up in the suburbs and it was not all uncommon for people to have normal conversations with complete strangers in public. Down here though, it's a little different. Most people are leery of strangers. Most people are standoffish and simply want to be left alone. The culture of isolation is strong, which one would think is odd because population density is much higher down here than in the burbs so you would figure people would be used to interacting with others. The problem comes when you have to deal with people all the fucking time, everywhere. You get a little calloused. And, as such, you tend to want to be left alone. It's an interesting dynamic and a very real influence on how you engage the world.
I suppose I'm of the believe that there is a time and place for social interaction. We all have different ideas of when it is or is not appropriate. I think we can probably leave it at that.
Further, when in public you can usually tell who does and who does not want to talk with you. Girls will build proximity just like they do at a bar. They'll break eye contact down, just like at a bar. The signs are there, you just have to look.