John Isn't Wearing His Coat Today

[hart_on_sleeve]

"Hello all! Sorry for the mess yesterday...the good news is, I'm no longer bored!" He smiles as if everybody has been on the edge of their seats about this issue

Comments

[darkhomemakers]

"Irene swears by Judith Martin's writings," Raven suggestions. "I haven't actually read many of them myself."

[hart_on_sleeve]

"Raven!" John is very happy to see her indeed! She's definitely on the top of his Top 100 Shags List.

"Judith Martin...hmmm...I'll check her out."

[darkhomemakers]

Raven would be annoyed with herself if she wasn't. She's used to be, as the father of one of her offspring once put it, 'one of the best lays out there when [she] wasn't even trying.'

"Good. Certainly not saying you'll turn into Irene overnight -- trust me, if I could turn people into Irene, I'd be passing out Xeroxes of that stuff left and right -- but it couldn't hurt."

[hart_on_sleeve]

"The world could do with more Irenes," John agrees, "especially her cooking...Goddess knows the 51st century is lacking a bit on the front."

Could it be? Has John actually admitted something in the 21st century might be better than in the 51st?! It's a miracle!

[an_accountant]

"Books?" Martin is distinctly skeptical. "I dunno. Shouldn't you be talking to someone about this rather than going to a book?" Martin, by the way, is an average bloke in business casual, mid twenties, all of that.

[hart_on_sleeve]

"Well see, the thing about talking with people is...talking with people...not good at that...so I need to work my way up..."

[an_accountant]

Martin snorts. "I was thinking more a counsellor. Or a relationships coach." Pause. "Or am I thinking of something else? Because that just sounds ... off."

Oops. Always forget to mention that Martin's wearing a scarf that seriously detracts from the business casual look -- it's a thing.

[hart_on_sleeve]

John noticed the scarf, but hey who's he to question people's fashion sense, he wears an 18th century coat and 16th century boots!

"Pyschiatrists, ooooo, even worse! I mean with normal people I can talk to them for five, ten minutes sometimes before they realise I'm er...weird...Pyschiatrists...hate 'em."

[mymastershopes]

"Reading about the social relationships of the 21st century does not cause them to make sense," Paris warns.

[hart_on_sleeve]

"Actually at this point, I just need to know about them in general. A friend of mine was in a bad way the other day, and well, I couldn't say a word right! It was embarrassing! You would know, right, you were there!"

He really wants to know what Kage's deal is, but hey it's a public forum, so he can't.

[mymastershopes]

"Ah. That. Well, may I offer a suggestion. When there is a situation of some...urgency, because someone has been terribly unwise. It is neither the time nor the place to discuss how unwise they are or to attempt to converse as if there is not a situation of some urgency. Both those conversations, you see, can come later. When the situation is less urgent."

[hart_on_sleeve]

"Well yeah, it's obvious now you say it...I swear, I can name a gun from a hundred metres, but beats the shit outta me if you're pissed off or sad when I'm staring right at you." John sighs.

"Inappropriate social responses and stuntend emotional growth the Agency pyschiatrists said. I can assure them though, rehab didn't help."

[sable_mind]

"I get the impression books and videos wouldn't be much help. Might want to talk to someone who's got experience in the matter."

[hart_on_sleeve]

"I suppose, but no psychiatrists I hate them." John looks sour. "Know anyone?"

He's pleased to see J, that was a great shag they had!

[sable_mind]

"Makes two of us." J sits down on a nearby couch and leans forward. "What's the social problem, exactly?"

[hart_on_sleeve]

"Oh, I just don't get people, you know. Like they're obviously going through something and I don't see it. It's a great way to make an idiot out of yourself." John sighs. "So any tips?"

[mishaloganovich]

"The secret to talking with people is letting them talk first. Especially women."

[hart_on_sleeve]

John raises an eyebrow. "I don't really need tips on picking up, thanks." This is totally true!

"I mean in a friendly kind of context..."

[mishaloganovich]

Misha chuckles. Giving pick up tips is like telling someone what kind of car to drive or how to dress themselves. You just can't do it.

"I'm talking in the friendly kind of context. People like to talk about themselves. If you let them, they think you're great friend material. Especially women. If you're looking for instant acquaintance with the guys, bribe 'em with World Series tickets."

[hart_on_sleeve]

Well, maybe this guy makes some sense...

"What if they don't want to talk?" John asks. "How do you...you know, get yourself out of the situation without looking like an idiot then?"