Last night I was invited to a fabulous party with a bunch of local “big Whigs”, as the roommate would say. I was very excited, predominantly because it was and “adult” party. You’re dirty, I bet you are thinking something of the pornographic nature, however, by “adult” I mean over the 20 something age bracket…
The party was filled with doctors, lawyers and politicians of the sort. I was having a great time. The food was great, the ambiance.. phenomenal, and it gave me the opportunity to practice striking up conversations with total strangers, until….
I met “Leaf” (yes, the actual name is Leaf) and his sidekick Eric. Go figure, Lief Ericson ” was the first European to land in North America” and these fools managed to find each other and land in my social area.
To provide a little background..
Leif Ericson and his crew (as they were exploring North America) left Markland and again found land, which they named Vinland. They landed and built a small settlement which they called Leifsbúdir, meaning Leif’s storage houses, suggesting the settlement was temporary. They found the area pleasant as there were wild grapes and plenty of salmon in the river. The climate was mild, with little frost in the winter and green grass year-round. They remained in the region over the winter and returned to Greenland in spring carrying a cargo of timber.
On the return voyage, Leif rescued an Icelandic castaway named Þórir and his crew – an incident that earned Leif the nickname Leif the Lucky (Old Norse: Leifr hinn heppni) because he got to keep Þórir’s cargo. ( Thank you)
I was not so lucky to have an encounter with Leaf and sidekick Eric…
Anyways, as I digress..Leaf is skinny, small, and has a squirmy voice. He seemed very laid back, until his opening line of, ” You look like a hot mess.” At first, I wasn’t really sure how to react to that, on account that I felt very put together and was simply keeping to myself, chatting with Dwy. My response to Leaf, “I’m not sure if that is an insult of compliment, but if it’s an insult your name is Leaf so I wouldn’t talk much.” In an attempt to save himself, he proceeded to mention that his brothers name is “Forest” (talk about the endless running jokes there). I was waiting for him to tell me that his last name was “woods.” At any rate, as I was digesting the situation at hand, sidekick Eric decided to jump in to what was a catastrophic conversation and proceeded to tell me that I look like an equestrian.
Apparently these men, did not do well in etiquette 101. First off, to tell someone you just met that they look like a “hot mess” is rude. Secondly, you simply look like a fool by using that as your opening line. Lastly, there is no chance of salvaging the conversation after that statement. Same goes for equestrian. Gentlemen, if your goal was to look like a fool you succeeded.
I suggest next time you come up to a woman and strike up a conversation, you go with the standard “hello my name is.” Stop trying to woo us by pick up lines, or whatever the scenario I experienced was. We will decide within the first five minutes if we like you or not. Give yourself a fighting chance remember these codes of chivalry…
- Respect women
- EXHIBIT MANNERS
- Be respectful of host, women and honor
- Exhibit Self Control
- Be POLITE and attentive
This post also goes out the the rude gentleman that said, ” Who brought the Kardashian’s to the party?” as he approached the bar. Chivalry is not dead. Is it?
Xoxo
The Comma Sutra 