Flirting by the book
Sometimes, I am hopelessly awkward. Usually, it's OK, but lately I've noticed it's happening more and more often in public...and I blame it entirely on my reading habit.
For instance, a couple of weeks ago, I was standing in line at Chipotle (no, they're not paying me for product placement, but maybe they should -- in burritos) and I noticed the guy behind me had one of my favorite books in his hand. So I blurted out, "Hey, great book!" And the guy gives me an "are you seriously hitting on me with that line" look. I turned back to my burrito in shame.
Which is nothing compared to the time some guy on the D.C. metro was reading a book I'd recently finished. (I recognized it by the font -- that's normal, right?) He moved away when he realized I had been eyeing him strangely for 15 minutes.
But I wasn't! It was the book! Really!
Anyway, after much thought, I've decided there are definitely worse ways of picking a date, as I'm sure Miss James has chronicled. But if you've ever made a love connection -- or just a fool of yourself -- over a book, I'd love to know I'm not the only one.
While she always preferred The Hardy Boys to Nancy Drew, 
Comments
You're not the only one! I get even stranger looks because I usually strike the conversations with women...
Posted by: Lisa E | May 26, 2008 11:17 AM
Neither of those sounds that awkward! At least not the first ...
Posted by: Mary | May 26, 2008 11:29 AM
The fact that I was stuck in close proximity with both of these guys after the weird exchanges is what really upped the awkward quotient...
Posted by: Nancy | May 26, 2008 5:59 PM
Here's the best song about flirting via books. Um, here's the ONLY song about flirting via books.
Paul Westerberg
"Dyslexic Heart"
Na nanana na nanana na na
na na na na nana etc.
Ah ah ah...
You shoot me glances and they're so hard to read
I misconstrue what you mean
Slip me a napkin and now that you start
Is this your name or a doctor's eye chart?
I try and comprehend you but I got a dyslexic heart
I ain't dying to offend you, I got a dyslexic heart
Thanks for the book, now my table is ready
Is this a library or bar?
Between the covers I thought you were ready
A half-angel, half-tart
Do I read you correctly, lead me directly
Help me with this part
Do I hate you? Do I date you?
Do I got a dyslexic Heart?
You keep swayin'... what are you sayin'?
Thinking 'bout stayin'?
Or are you just playing, making passes
Well, my heart could use some glasses
Try and comprehend you
I got a dyslexic heart
Do I read you correctly,
I need you directly
I only went this far
Do I love you do I hate you
I got a dyslexic heart
Na na na na na, etc.
Posted by: Gregg Wilhelm | May 27, 2008 9:51 AM