My eyes roll over the document taking in the information….I stood there, staring at the little sign securely taped just above a pay phone – encouraging the viewer to pick up that phone, drop some coins in the slot, and kick it old school with handwritten notes, phones that have a dial tone, and soda pop dates. And then I thought about taking this call to action and putting it up on the online matchmaking site “How About We” to see if people would respond to these suggested dates.And if they did…Would they embrace the lowbrow comedy of an iconic, and delicious, POPEYE’S meal with a total stranger?Would they be won over with the obvious smarts and love of the written word revealed in a suggestion of meeting at a bookstore or the library?Would the softer side come shining through with the embrace of nature made obvious by the mention of the aquarium or the zoo?Would attention to health and fitness be clear in the offer of a walk date?Would the nod to the inner bad boy come off as cheeky and playful with the bold suggestions of a One Night Stand and a cigarette date?Would a serious love of beverages and sweets create a bonding point with the mention of soda, coffee, cake, or ice cream?
And then the suggestion of Window Shopping. I’m pulled into a fantasy and… I picture a beautiful day walking by Barney’s New York marveling all the beautiful things in the window and then running inside to buy exquisitely tailored clothes, pretty new handbags, and shoes that make it look like you’re kicking diamonds down the street when you walk.
I feel a smile creep up on my face as I picture my price charming, who lives to make me happy, has a body like a boxer and a face like Charlie Hunnam (Alright, it totally is Charlie Hunnam) spoiling me
I mentally enter the experience of not having to worry about money, or being frivolous, or responsible… just a total indulge that ends with something like trying on ridiculously expensive lingerie and disappearing into a beautifully decorated velvet boudoir dressing room for as long as we want.
And then I see it, where I had not see it before: DUTCH DATING
And with that realization, and the woosh of wind pushed in my face by the incoming train, I was snapped into reality
Dutch Dating
Nothing like referring to a date as DUTCH to really throw cold water on the fire…
I boarded the train, snuggled into the crux of the closed subway doors and spy a handsome man across the car. He had an amused look on his face, reading a small rectangular paper in his hand. I notice he is discovering what I had seen just minutes before.
His eyes rose and caught mine as we pulled into the next station. preparing for departure, he made his way to my side of the car. Holding the hand written advertisement he leaned in, caging me in my corner. I asked what he planned on doing with the note, and gave a half smile, confusion clear in my eyes. The doors slid open, and as he exited said, “Call me.” And then, with a laugh handed over the rectangle of paper. He then disappeared into the maelstrom of the morning crowd, surely never to be seen again.
Happy Valentines Day!
