The Just Thought I'd Share Thread

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by iamnotafraid

YOU DOG!!!

Congrats!!!

Thanks, I've been wanting one of those, for at least a couple of years!

Best of all? My tight ass didn't want to pay retail.....I was in Nashville last week. I did my regular search of Craigslist for one.........

After the epic floods of last year, this woman had participated in a benefit for this family, who had lost everything. They had a raffle, with this guitar being the grand prize. She won it, and it had been sitting in her house since. Untouched. Christmas is coming, so she decided to try and sell it...

Long story short, I got it for $375 less than I could have bought it elsewhere(even online). She kept trying to get me to go close to retail price, but $100 bills flapping in the air, speaks louder than her desire to wait! Go me!!!

[HejiraNYC]

"Where are you from?"

It's an innocent enough question. But for some reason it bothers me. A lot. Last night at the gym, a younger guy just came up to me out of the blue and asked me where I'm from. At first I didn't know what to say. Really? I don't think I had been asked that question in, oh, 30 years. So in my most obnoxious accent ever, I replied snarkily- "hee-yah, Noo Yowak," knowing fully well he was really asking about my ethnicity. He obviously meant no harm. In fact, this was either the lamest pickup line ever or just a really, really dumb question. He seemed a little flustered by my response and then went on to say that he was an artist who draws different kinds of people and then some other idle chatter; apparently he was observing me for some time, which made me feel creeped-out. I could tell he was a few cards short of a full deck, so I just told him my ethnicity and politely ended the conversation as quickly as possible.

Way back in the Mesozoic age, when I was a wee lad, I often heard this question. All the time. Growing up in the suburbs back then, I guess it was unusual to see anyone who wasn't black or white. It was a more innocent time, I suppose. I don't know. But as America has become more diverse and somewhat more integrated over the intervening decades, race and ethnic identity seemed to become less and less of an issue. We are all individuals after all. And especially in a city like New York, arguably the most racially diverse city on the entire planet, people of different ethnicities and foreign nationalities make up the majority of the population. I guess all this time living in New York I have taken for granted the notion of being perfectly anonymous- just another ripple in the colorful stream of life. So after a lifetime of being a U.S. citizen living my life as any other American, the question, which I hadn't heard in, like, forever, jolted me like a drink thrown in my face: at the end of the day, people still see my race before they see anything else. And they make the automatic assumption that I'm an alien, i.e., not one of them. Really? It's not like he just saw me step off the boat at Ellis Island. I'm in a freaking gym in Manhattan, for crikey sake! I mean, he wouldn't ask a random white person this question. It's one thing to ask about my racial background (which is still kinda strange and totally irrelevant), but it's another thing to automatically assume that I'm not American.

I don't know... maybe it's just me...

[diane_k]

[skcin]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Georgie or Gee Gee. It's official!

It's just how the guitar looks. It's SUCH a dramatic looking guitar!!! I feel like Brian Setzer with it on!

GeeGee is what my daughter calls her Grandma. Think about that next time you're banging it.

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

"Where are you from?"

It's an innocent enough question. But for some reason it bothers me. A lot. Last night at the gym, a younger guy just came up to me out of the blue and asked me where I'm from. At first I didn't know what to say. Really? I don't think I had been asked that question in, oh, 30 years. So in my most obnoxious accent ever, I replied snarkily- "hee-yah, Noo Yowak," knowing fully well he was really asking about my ethnicity. He obviously meant no harm. In fact, this was either the lamest pickup line ever or just a really, really dumb question. He seemed a little flustered by my response and then went on to say that he was an artist who draws different kinds of people and then some other idle chatter; apparently he was observing me for some time, which made me feel creeped-out. I could tell he was a few cards short of a full deck, so I just told him my ethnicity and politely ended the conversation as quickly as possible.

Way back in the Mesozoic age, when I was a wee lad, I often heard this question. All the time. Growing up in the suburbs back then, I guess it was unusual to see anyone who wasn't black or white. It was a more innocent time, I suppose. I don't know. But as America has become more diverse and somewhat more integrated over the intervening decades, race and ethnic identity seemed to become less and less of an issue. We are all individuals after all. And especially in a city like New York, arguably the most racially diverse city on the entire planet, people of different ethnicities and foreign nationalities make up the majority of the population. I guess all this time living in New York I have taken for granted the notion of being perfectly anonymous- just another ripple in the colorful stream of life. So after a lifetime of being a U.S. citizen living my life as any other American, the question, which I hadn't heard in, like, forever, jolted me like a drink thrown in my face: at the end of the day, people still see my race before they see anything else. And they make the automatic assumption that I'm an alien, i.e., not one of them. Really? It's not like he just saw me step off the boat at Ellis Island. I'm in a freaking gym in Manhattan, for crikey sake! I mean, he wouldn't ask a random white person this question. It's one thing to ask about my racial background (which is still kinda strange and totally irrelevant), but it's another thing to automatically assume that I'm not American.

I don't know... maybe it's just me...

You sure he wasn't just asking what neighborhood you're from? Or hitting on you but being nervous about it & putting his foot in his mouth? Or meaning to ask what ethnicity you are but having it come out wrong?

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by skcin

You sure he wasn't just asking what neighborhood you're from? Or hitting on you but being nervous about it & putting his foot in his mouth? Or meaning to ask what ethnicity you are but having it come out wrong?

When was the last time some random stranger asked you what neighborhood you were from? Again, I don't think the question came from a bad place... just a place of naivety. I mean, who cares where I'm from or about my ethnicity? Is it 1975 again? Are we in Vermont? Why is anyone, let alone a young person, asking this type of question to a total stranger? It's one thing if we were speaking and I had some bizarre accent... or I was wearing a T-shirt with the name of a place on it... but this came totally randomly out of the blue. Maybe I need to get a U.S. flag tattooed on my forehead.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

When was the last time some random stranger asked you what neighborhood you were from? Again, I don't think the question came from a bad place... just a place of naivety. I mean, who cares where I'm from or about my ethnicity? Is it 1975 again? Are we in Vermont? Why is anyone, let alone a young person, asking this type of question to a total stranger? It's one thing if we were speaking and I had some bizarre accent... or I was wearing a T-shirt with the name of a place on it... but this came totally randomly out of the blue. Maybe I need to get a U.S. flag tattooed on my forehead.

I've been asked. I'm a white female in my mid 30's, so nothing unique about me. Maybe since you're in NYC he was asking if you're originally from NYC or another city/state/country. Just throwing it out there.

You seem 100% sure he was implying/wondering if you just got off a boat from China or something to that effect. I'm just saying that might not be the case. You say he seemed flustered or embarrassed after your reply - you probably scared the sh*t out of him.

[Silver Springs]

You know, because I'm a red head I am constantly being asked if I'm Scottish. It's one step up from Leprechaun I suppose (I used to get that a lot when I was younger), but still. Can't I just be "Bee"? And not "Bee the English/Scottish/Irish/Chinese hybrid"?

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

I don't know... maybe it's just me...

My opinion: You're reading into this too much. The guy said he was an artist, he likes to draw - he thought you were interesting looking and probably in his own lame way was hoping you'd pose for him and that it would lead to some wild romantic sexual encounter and you'd fall madly in love with each other and he'd spend his life drawing you and you'd spend your life being his muse.

OK. Having written that out, it DOES seem a bit weird.

But really, in an earlier time it would not be uncommon at all.

I read too many Anne Rice books. Everyone in them is honest to a fault, overly romantic and too willing to reveal their deepest secrets to total strangers.

Then again, I also think Americans are simply too guarded and leery of others.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

Then again, I also think Americans are simply too guarded and leery of others.

I agree with this, too. Especially Yankees. Really, as a card carrying Yankee, I'm constantly amazed by the differences in people's behavior, as you move South. They are far more outgoing, and talkative. Maybe he was a southern transplant!

My opinion is that he was interested in you, romantically.

[fringed n fab]

Reminds me of two weeks ago I'd went out to a few clubs in Ybor City in Tampa that night and was about to leave the second one and as I was making my way past the crowd heading towards the front doors, some guy approached me and tells me in my ear "Me and my friends all think you're f'ng hot. Come back and talk". And all I said was "Thank you". And smiled and went on my way out the door. It wasn't until after I got home I thought to myself, that guy was pretty hot... Tall, dark short hair, cool sleek sideburns. And I let him go because when I am out, I am always so reserved and just out to be out and not looking for anyone or anything and have always been this way but sometimes I wish I'd sit down and get to know people and not regret it later on. But it's how I am and I could lighten up. If I see him again, I'll talk.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by fringed n fab

Reminds me of two weeks ago I'd went out to a few clubs in Ybor City in Tampa that night and was about to leave the second one and as I was making my way past the crowd heading towards the front doors, some guy approached me and tells me in my ear "Me and my friends all think you're f'ng hot. Come back and talk". And all I said was "Thank you". And smiled and went on my way out the door. It wasn't until after I got home I thought to myself, that guy was pretty hot... Tall, dark short hair, cool sleek sideburns. And I let him go because when I am out, I am always so reserved and just out to be out and not looking for anyone or anything and have always been this way but sometimes I wish I'd sit down and get to know people and not regret it later on. But it's how I am and I could lighten up. If I see him again, I'll talk.

That sounds WAY better than the chat up line I received on Tuesday night. "I well fancy you. Wanna come back to my place? I have a police order saying I'm not allowed to be in the town after midnight" - he says GETTING OUT aforementioned police order - "And I want to proper smash open your back doors"

...no thank you.

[fringed n fab]

Originally Posted by Artemis

That sounds WAY better than the chat up line I received on Tuesday night. "I well fancy you. Wanna come back to my place? I have a police order saying I'm not allowed to be in the town after midnight" - he says GETTING OUT aforementioned police order - "And I want to proper smash open your back doors"...no thank you.

Too funny

Yeah most men are gentlemen if I'm approached. I guess I'm just lucky in that sense in that I don't encounter ass*oles at all.

[wild-heart]

Originally Posted by Artemis

That sounds WAY better than the chat up line I received on Tuesday night. "I well fancy you. Wanna come back to my place? I have a police order saying I'm not allowed to be in the town after midnight" - he says GETTING OUT aforementioned police order - "And I want to proper smash open your back doors"

...no thank you.

And who said romance was dead. No seriously how did you manage to turn down such a lovely offer? lol.

[Silver Springs]

Originally Posted by wild-heart

And who said romance was dead. No seriously how did you manage to turn down such a lovely offer? lol.

You haven't heard my favourite of the ones I've had. "Your left leg is Christmas. Your right leg is Easter. Can I visit you between holidays?"....

.....

[beccamorrisfift]

Originally Posted by Artemis

That sounds WAY better than the chat up line I received on Tuesday night. "I well fancy you. Wanna come back to my place? I have a police order saying I'm not allowed to be in the town after midnight" - he says GETTING OUT aforementioned police order - "And I want to proper smash open your back doors"

...no thank you.

Sounds like a stand up kinda guy, the sort you can't wait to take home to your parents