UNIVERSE, I AM SETTING GROUND RULES NOW.
Either there's something in the water, or I'm emitting some kind of low-grade pheromone crack that only attracts crazy people.
I have a mini!stalker.
Well, okay, it's way too early to tell, but she's got all the warning signs and I'm on something of a hair-trigger, so -- mini!stalker.
With my job, we often get clients that can't be handled by a single carer, so they send us out in double-up teams. Mostly, I think that's kind of cool. I get to have a partner and pretend we're doing something exciting, like fighting crime. And there's someone around to have a laugh with (or complain to, depending on the day).
But sometimes you end up working with a total asshat, and that ruins everything.
Yesterday I was working with a lady I'd worked with once before, and I liked her. She was older, somewhere in her late fourties, and effortlessly competent, which made all the difference. She had a decent sense of humour, a friendly attitude crossed with an (apparent) inability to tolerate bullshit, which I respect, and just seemed like a generally decent lady to have around.
We chatted and got to know each other, as you do, and talked about significant others (she's married; I have JB) and general life plans and everything else you talk about to pass time. And then she said, "So hey, I was talking to Sarah about you the other day, and she asked if I fancied you."
I laughed; it was funny. I knew she couldn't be serious. "Oh yeah? Flattering. What'd you say?"
"No, of course. Just wanted to see if you'd be interested in messing her about."
Eyebrows went up. "How so?"
"Oh, you know, imply stuff has happened between us. See her get into a tailspin. That kind of thing."
Here's where I should have put the breaks on. I hate getting tangled in these little back-stabbing lies, even if they start out with 'fun' intentions. And I especially hate getting wrapped up in office politics. But I still couldn't quite believe what I was hearing (she was twice my age and married), so I just stalled and laughed quietly and said, "You'll get me in trouble with my girlfriend."
I can't remember what exactly she said, but it was something like, "Aw, you'd tell her?"
"Uh, yeah," I said, wondering if she knew she was losing her hypothetical tone, "I tell her everything."
"That's nice," she said, and told me all about the time she'd cheated on her husband.
More than a little creeped out, I changed the subject. She didn't bring it up again.
Later, on the way home after my evening shift (which I'd worked with someone else), I'd had a little more time to think about things. I was probably overreacting. It wasn't weird that my work colleagues talked about me, and at least they were just rating my attractiveness. Most people would find that flattering, right?
Okay, it felt a little creepy, but it was probably nothing to worry about. It wasn't like I had to work with either one of them again any time soo--
Then I got a text. She'd run into Sarah and made up some stuff about us, and I was totally cool with that, right? It was just a bit of fun!
'Get me in trouble,' I sent back, deciding to throw a wrench in things, "and they will never find your body."
'Are you kidding?' she replied. 'That sounded serious. I won't get you in trouble. Remember, I'm married. ;)'
'Mostly kidding.' Now I felt thoroughly uncomfortable. Especially because she was only supposed to have my number for work purposes, not to contact me about anything she felt like. And I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, even if I was starting to get pissed off myself.
(Typing this up, it feels like a very small event. But dammit, it was creepy to live it.)
Then at midnight, I got a text saying 'Goodnight, God Bless. XX'
And this morning I got a blank one.
In general, I'm not a great fan of getting texts or emails or whatever that end with kisses. Especially from people I don't really know. I understand that it's something a lot of people do without thinking about, but it always feels either insincere or over-touchy to me. If I'm writing to a close friend or family member, then sure, no problem. But otherwise, it's not so cool. (Hell, I don't even use 'X's with JB. I'll either type out the action long-hand, if we're on chat, because that feels more real, or I'll stick to other versions of affection that feel sincere. She's always done the same; I've been assuming that we're on the same wavelength. Though now I might have to ask her. *thoughtful*)
Anyway. Just in general, texts at midnight from relative strangers are creepy. Especially if it's the last thing that happens before I fall asleep, and then the first thing that happens when I wake up. I have no idea if she's being friendly or trying to initiate something, but either way I'm not happy. I haven't texted her back, but if she contacts me again for anything that's not work I'm going to lay down some ground rules, hurt feelings be damned.
THIS NEEDS TO STOP NOW, OKAY, UNIVERSE? I HAVE A SIGNIFICANT OTHER AND SHE MAKES ME HAPPY. I DON'T NEED ANY MORE PEOPLE, THANK YOU.
I have a mini!stalker.
Well, okay, it's way too early to tell, but she's got all the warning signs and I'm on something of a hair-trigger, so -- mini!stalker.
With my job, we often get clients that can't be handled by a single carer, so they send us out in double-up teams. Mostly, I think that's kind of cool. I get to have a partner and pretend we're doing something exciting, like fighting crime. And there's someone around to have a laugh with (or complain to, depending on the day).
But sometimes you end up working with a total asshat, and that ruins everything.
Yesterday I was working with a lady I'd worked with once before, and I liked her. She was older, somewhere in her late fourties, and effortlessly competent, which made all the difference. She had a decent sense of humour, a friendly attitude crossed with an (apparent) inability to tolerate bullshit, which I respect, and just seemed like a generally decent lady to have around.
We chatted and got to know each other, as you do, and talked about significant others (she's married; I have JB) and general life plans and everything else you talk about to pass time. And then she said, "So hey, I was talking to Sarah about you the other day, and she asked if I fancied you."
I laughed; it was funny. I knew she couldn't be serious. "Oh yeah? Flattering. What'd you say?"
"No, of course. Just wanted to see if you'd be interested in messing her about."
Eyebrows went up. "How so?"
"Oh, you know, imply stuff has happened between us. See her get into a tailspin. That kind of thing."
Here's where I should have put the breaks on. I hate getting tangled in these little back-stabbing lies, even if they start out with 'fun' intentions. And I especially hate getting wrapped up in office politics. But I still couldn't quite believe what I was hearing (she was twice my age and married), so I just stalled and laughed quietly and said, "You'll get me in trouble with my girlfriend."
I can't remember what exactly she said, but it was something like, "Aw, you'd tell her?"
"Uh, yeah," I said, wondering if she knew she was losing her hypothetical tone, "I tell her everything."
"That's nice," she said, and told me all about the time she'd cheated on her husband.
More than a little creeped out, I changed the subject. She didn't bring it up again.
Later, on the way home after my evening shift (which I'd worked with someone else), I'd had a little more time to think about things. I was probably overreacting. It wasn't weird that my work colleagues talked about me, and at least they were just rating my attractiveness. Most people would find that flattering, right?
Okay, it felt a little creepy, but it was probably nothing to worry about. It wasn't like I had to work with either one of them again any time soo--
Then I got a text. She'd run into Sarah and made up some stuff about us, and I was totally cool with that, right? It was just a bit of fun!
'Get me in trouble,' I sent back, deciding to throw a wrench in things, "and they will never find your body."
'Are you kidding?' she replied. 'That sounded serious. I won't get you in trouble. Remember, I'm married. ;)'
'Mostly kidding.' Now I felt thoroughly uncomfortable. Especially because she was only supposed to have my number for work purposes, not to contact me about anything she felt like. And I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, even if I was starting to get pissed off myself.
(Typing this up, it feels like a very small event. But dammit, it was creepy to live it.)
Then at midnight, I got a text saying 'Goodnight, God Bless. XX'
And this morning I got a blank one.
In general, I'm not a great fan of getting texts or emails or whatever that end with kisses. Especially from people I don't really know. I understand that it's something a lot of people do without thinking about, but it always feels either insincere or over-touchy to me. If I'm writing to a close friend or family member, then sure, no problem. But otherwise, it's not so cool. (Hell, I don't even use 'X's with JB. I'll either type out the action long-hand, if we're on chat, because that feels more real, or I'll stick to other versions of affection that feel sincere. She's always done the same; I've been assuming that we're on the same wavelength. Though now I might have to ask her. *thoughtful*)
Anyway. Just in general, texts at midnight from relative strangers are creepy. Especially if it's the last thing that happens before I fall asleep, and then the first thing that happens when I wake up. I have no idea if she's being friendly or trying to initiate something, but either way I'm not happy. I haven't texted her back, but if she contacts me again for anything that's not work I'm going to lay down some ground rules, hurt feelings be damned.
THIS NEEDS TO STOP NOW, OKAY, UNIVERSE? I HAVE A SIGNIFICANT OTHER AND SHE MAKES ME HAPPY. I DON'T NEED ANY MORE PEOPLE, THANK YOU.