Waiting for Vegas.
I am someone that has been on a lot of first dates. Given the nature of my lifestyle here, it’s only natural. I mean, I might not have a ton of third dates, but I usually give a guy at least two before one of us calls it quits.
I used to club a lot. There are advantages to this. You know, in some way, what Romeo looks like before you’re standing outside a subway station waiting for him. It’s not easy, the ‘blind’ aspect of online dating. I’ve gotten guys that are exactly like their picture. I’ve gotten guys that are exactly like their picture ten years ago. And I’ve gotten guys that have straight-up lied about who they are or what they look like, or how tall they are…and it’s not easy knowing that to be nice you have to keep the date going until you dismiss them as not worth your time for a valid reason. Because I don’t think looks are a valid reason to dismiss someone if you already like them (in some way) before seeing them. Korean guys are the kings of taking great pics that don’t actually represent them in real-life. It’s rather ridiculous.
Anyway, I was already expecting a good time. I’d had a huge laugh over the conversation we had when he asked me if I wanted to meet him.
Vegas: What time do you finish work?
Me: 8:30.
Vegas: Okay. We will meet at 9:40. We will have a few beers.
Me: Ok.
Vegas: What time do you want to go home?
Me: Uh…let’s see how things go first.
I mean, how are you supposed to respond to that. If things go to shit, I’d want to go home after the second hour. If things went great, I’d want to stay for eight. But, it made me laugh.
This is where I was last Friday night. I arrived at the subway station and stood a little bit away from the exit, as I normally do. Haha. I started looking around to see who was looking around for me. I see this guy who maybe looks like the pictures I was sent. Only…he’s about three inches shorter than me. Which isn’t a lie on his part, at all. We never talked about height, but I’m starting to regret wearing heels. I send a text saying I’ve arrived and where is he. Oh god. The not-at-all hot guy by the exit checks his phone and starts to look around. Oh no. It’s me. He’s mine.
I mean, let me say this in the nicest way possible. At night, in Gangnam, it’s a club and bar fest. You walk around and see the best looking guys in their best looking outfits with the best looking girls. When you’re on a first date with someone you’d rather not be standing next to for whatever reason, it sucks. Because being a foreigner, some person size you up. And then they turn to the person next to you and size them up. And it’s not fun when it’s a first date. So when Mr. Short over in the corner starts looking around I steel myself to not react when he approaches me. I mean he’s nice. I know this from the texts. And there have been many a time where I meet a guy who isn’t a looker who I end up falling for anyway because of his personality. Only…oh good. Mr. Short’s short friends have arrived. He’s not mine after all. However, to my left, I see some extremely hot guy gesturing for me to come. Oh me? You mean me? You mean you didn’t lie about your picture? You mean you’re actually hotter in person? At first I thought he couldn’t possibly be looking at me. I actually turned around to see who was standing behind me. No one. At this point, I’m ready to just lie and be whoever he thinks I am, Korean or not, so I can approach him. Luck was on my side, however. He was the guy from the app. And he was great.
The first words he said to me were, “You’re late. But that’s okay.” Oh. Oops. I mean I had told him he could leave if he wanted to, but he said he wanted to wait.* he held the door open for me and the date was on.
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I found out later he works in a business where being prompt and having things planned out is part of his career. He said, and I quote, “I don’t like lazy.” I’m definitely not lazy, so that’s a good thing. His comments make perfect sense in that light. Though they were still a bit weird. Haha.
