It all started with an innocent “oops”.
While out and about in San Diego (read previous post about the bachelorette party) I made a pact with myself to be more friendly and open to meeting and talking with strangers. My pact was to talk to anyone, but when you’re traveling in a pack of 10 women you’re more likely to end up talking with men. So when I found myself at a wine bar with the girls on Friday night, I figured there was no harm in being open to having some good conversation with whomever…especially if whomever was tall, kind and well dressed.
Side note: I don’t go to bars to meet men. I don’t really go to bars, period. I have nothing against bars, they’re just not my scene. But lately I’ve been working on meeting people wherever I go and since a bar falls into the category of “wherever” I figured there was nothing wrong with being friendly and possibly striking up a conversation with someone while there.
Back to the wine bar in San Diego.
Upon returning to my group of girls after having taking the photo with Ryan (see previous post), Emily (last year’s bachelorette) pointed out a tall drink of water that was standing behind her talking to his friend.
“Megan, this guy looks just like your type!” She said. I peered over her shoulder and smiled in confirmation that this man did look like my type. And by type I mean he was taller than me and not wearing ripped jeans or a button down shirt with a bedazzled cross on the back.
“Go talk to him!” she says.
“What am I going to say?” I reply.
“Just go set your empty glass down on that table right next to him and then start talking.” She says with a wink and a nudge.
Simple enough. I follow orders, but instead of saying hello, or giving him a pick-up type of line I decide to “accidentally” bump into him as I set down my empty glass.
Worked. Like. A. Charm.
“Oops!” I said, followed with a “I did not mean to bump into you” while casually grabbing his arm post bump in an effort to say “I’m sorry, but not that sorry.”
“Don’t worry. Man this place is crowded! It’s not really my type of scene.”
And we were off…
It was that easy. We talked for a good 30 minutes. I learned he works for the government, is a self professed excellent test taker, loves to camp and kayak and calls people he does not like Bozos. He encouraged me to become more politically active, quizzed me on my baseball knowledge and gave me a high five for knowing the answer.
And yes, at the end of the 30 minutes he asked for my number.
And no, he has not called.
But that’s not the point. The point (and personal lesson) is the realization that anytime anyplace anywhere anywhen is a great opportunity to meet someone. Anyone. The One?
Here’s to taking a chance and talking to strangers.
