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DiscussDear Z,
What is up with people singing to their iPods while they are walking? I just walked by this guy and he was singing a rap song to his iPod; he looked me straight in the eye, and I didn’t know what to do but laugh! It’s even worse when there is someone without an iPod and they are just walking about and singing. Awkward …
Sincerely,
Sing Along?
Dear Sing Along?,
When I was visiting colleges way back when, my father and I went to visit a small college in Virginia that prides itself on something called a “speaking policy.” The policy there is that every time you walk by someone you are to acknowledge them and say, “Hi, how are you?” My father and I found this quite amusing at the time, especially as we watched our Vineyard Vines clad guide walk backwards and try to acknowledge people as he was giving a tour. For my own amusement I’ve taken to trying this out when I walk about campus here — but I have yet to meet that same Southern hospitality.
When did our society turn from saying friendly hellos to shouting rap lyrics as if people are in their own little world? My recommendation would, of course, be to turn this tradition around, and as silly as it is borrow the “speaking policy” from that small school in Virginia. Maybe the next time someone sings at you as they walk by you, you should just smile and say, “Hi, how are you?” They may just keep walking, or they may stop because they see that you are not plugged into some electronic device and are actually talking to them. Who knows what it could bring about — a new friend or even a new favorite song?
Xoxo,
Z
Dear Z,
Boy wants to ask Girl to formal. Boy has never spoken to Girl. Thus it would be creepy if Boy called Girl because: Where did he get her # ... right? Boy wanted to ask Girl in person but Boy only has five days and no social events at which he can hang out with Girl, talk to her and then ask her. It is Boy's first formal and he doesn't know what to do.
Sincerely,
BoymeetsGirl
Dear BoymeetsGirl,
Oh, boy, what a pickle. I guess it is time to get back into formal mode. I love blind dates, and I do not think that there is any harm in putting yourself out there. What can be the worst that can happen, you get turned down by a person who you do not know at all? If that hurts your ego, you have bigger problems to deal with than the formal dating scene. If the girl is creeped out that’s her problem. I think that any invitation to a formal is a great compliment, a blind invitation especially. Think about it, if you were asked to a formal by a person you hardly know it must mean that the inviter thinks that you make a “hot date.” I guess it could also mean that you are perceived as “easy,” but I am going to go with the positive here.
All I can say is, Boy, please be a gentleman to this girl, no matter your motivations for inviting her. I went to a formal once where my date decided it would be appropriate to throw a full glass of water across the room at a person who was making a toast. Let’s just say it did not turn out to be an enjoyable night for either of us.
Xoxo,
Z
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