I got home from class in the middle of class today. My design partner and I left early to come to my place to work on our project (an ugly postmodern mutant bike. Anyway-). While I was running around trying to get all my supplies together, there was a knock on the door.
"Hello," said a young guy with Courtney Love's fashion taste and a laminated magazine order sheet. "I'm earning points by improving my skills talking to people..."
I'd had one of these strange magazine salesmen before and tried to cut him off as soon as I could since I was waiting for my partner to arrive. He managed a few more sentences vaguely leading to the point where he wanted to sell magazines, but I refused as abruptly as I could.
"Thanks," I said, "but I'm in the middle of an art project I have to get back to."
"Can I help you?"
"Um, no thanks. I have to run next door and see if I can borrow some tools."
"I have some superglue," he offered in an either helpful or creepy tone of voice.
"I'm fine, but thanks," I smiled. Now is when I expected him to get bitter like the perfume salesman who had tried to appeal to my Mormonness by offering to marry me. As he smiled and turned to leave, I was waiting for the rude brush-off.
He turned and was halfway across the lawn before turning and saying "can I give you a compliment?"
"Sure," I said, baffled. What kind of compliment do you give the frump art girl who wouldn't buy a magazine?
"WOW," he said, smiled again, and left.
************
Was that a sincere compliment? I've never been a WOW girl, and he wasn't even much of a creepy loser.
Hmmm. Curiouser and curiouser.
Posted by digging_holes (Member # 6237) on :
Oh, he's just trying to marry you too. He's simply going about it in a more indirect way.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
quote: Now is when I expected him to get bitter like the perfume salesman who had tried to appeal to my Mormonness by offering to marry me.
*guffaws*
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote: I've never been a WOW girl
You probably believe that, but I don't.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Um... there have been occasions where I was a certifiable BOW WOW girl, but...
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Annie, you're tall, porcelin, and graceful with the most gorgeous hair I've seen on a human.
You are a WOW girl. Get used to it. Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
quote: ------------------------ Now is when I expected him to get bitter like the perfume salesman who had tried to appeal to my Mormonness by offering to marry me. ------------------------ *guffaws*
It's true! After I told him three times I wouldn't buy any perfume, he spotted my CTR ring and, apparently being from Utah, said, "Oh, you're Mormon?! We could get engaged!"
After I told him a final no, he got a little miffed and muttered something not-so-Mormon.
Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :
Annie... don't be ****ing humble; you're a WOW girl...
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Plus, the freckles. The freckles are fabulous.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Annie, that is such an awesome story. I have had some strange salesmen come to my door (as opposed to salesladies?) but none has proposed to me! Or said WOW.
Oh, and yeah, I don't blame him for sayin' "WOW" either.
Isn't it nice to realize that you've grown up to be a swan?
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
*honk*
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
Annie, don't listen to these people. I use your picture to keep raccoons away from my garbage. Clearly, that guy was out of his mind.
Posted by Zevlag (Member # 1405) on :
o_O?
Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
That's pretty sweet, Annie.
Of course, now I have to hate you. But it's a GOOD hate.
Posted by Jess N (Member # 6744) on :
I'd love to be a WOW girl. I get WOW about my writing sometimes...
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Annie, if you did any deeper for compliments here, you'll fall through to China...
I have seen pics, so don't play bashful and shy to me....
Kwea
Posted by Eduardo_Sauron (Member # 5827) on :
Where's Hobbes? Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
I was just telling my husband over dinner that the fact that Hobbes hadn't posted in this thread was sure-fire proof that he isn't online.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Shhh! You might wake him up!
That's all hatrack needs -- more posts of Hobbes talking about how much he loves/adores/kisses Annie.
:barfs:
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
lol
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
I understand what Annie means, and I say this with complete confusion, not conceit or anything, or fishing for complements. I spend my whole life being ordinary...
But occaisionally, very occaisionally, I get a comment that's like a veiled version of Annie's "Wow." Not exactly like hers, more cryptic but it'll leave me thinking, "What??!!" was that person being nice or...
I dunno, but I know what Annie means. It's very confusing. Most of the time I am ordinary.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Thank you Teshi.
My point was that if I were the type of girl who garnered Wow attention normally, I would have known how to interpret this. See? Isn't that proof in itself?
*makes faces for Stormy's raccoons*
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
I have had similar things happen to me. I am generally thought of as ordinary, but every so often someone will act like I am beautiful. It is rather confusing. ((Annie)) At first I was mistaken for you at KamaCon because I was next to hobbes. After I saw you I was flattered by the mistake. Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Sorry you're hot, Annie. Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
As we have pointed out on various threads, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Which is not to say you're not cute - it may just be you haven't been around people who would appreciate your qualities.
-Trevor
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
I am not ugly you just don't appriciate my hotness!
I like that way of looking at it. Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Annie, can I give you a compliment?
Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
So how is it that I get comments like, "You clearly consume more calories than you burn."
Oh, why do bad things happen to hot people?!
Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
Because some people view the world through their own skewed and highly warped perspective?
A fair number of Rackers will be happy to relate problems they've had with people lecturing them on body types. One mom yelled at her mom for telling her granddaughter that she was fat.
To some health nuts, I'm an overweight blob. To some geeks, I'm the paragon of fitness and model of clean, healthy living.
I've met some downright hot women (in my opinion) who didn't think they were and I've met some women people thought were hot and I just couldn't see it.
What I'm trying to convey is the difference in perception and how people evaluate that perception based on their own experiences and values.
-Trevor
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
quote:So how is it that I get comments like, "You clearly consume more calories than you burn."
Well, you're clearly storing something in those two humps of yours. And even if you were tall enough, that's not really a common place to store basketballs.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
quote:I was just telling my husband over dinner that the fact that Hobbes hadn't posted in this thread was sure-fire proof that he isn't online.
It's true, I've been very busy lately, but it looks like all y'all were doing a bang-up job without me.
Hobbes Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Wow... I definitely don't identify, Annie! I've gotten a "WOW" about my singing once or twice, but you don't have to look at the person to hear their voice...
Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
quote:Well, you're clearly storing something in those two humps of yours. And even if you were tall enough, that's not really a common place to store basketballs.
Oh, c'mon. Dodgeballs, tops.
TMedina - Si señor. But Annie floats everyone's boat, neh? Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
I thought I was going to get a compliment.
:looks in mirror:
"Wow!"
Posted by Mr.Funny (Member # 4467) on :
quote: As we have pointed out on various threads, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Well... According to my friend, a fleshy substance not unlike that of an eye is in the eye of the beholder. Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
I don't know weither to laugh or bang my head against a wall.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Try both, it works for me...
Posted by Nato (Member # 1448) on :
What do you mean you're not deserving of such a compliment? (WOW!)
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
@ Nato!
Posted by Eduardo_Sauron (Member # 5827) on :
<geek>/ But beholders are dangerous monsters /<geek>
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
heehee, Eduardo! I was about to reply with a saying from a friend's tshirt...
quote: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Unfortunately, the rest of the party is in the STOMACH of the beholder.
Hooray for geeks!
edited because punctuation is also good.
[ September 15, 2004, 08:50 AM: Message edited by: Megan ]
Posted by Olivetta (Member # 6456) on :
Annie IS a "Wow!" chick, partly because she's oblivious.
This sort of reminds me of the FedEx guy. When Nash was building his bike/ordering stuff for his trip, the FedEx guy came by a lot. Usually with stuff that had to be signed for.
The last time he came by, he said, "I love coming here! You're always smiling."
I WAS smiling. I smile a lot. I said, "You're always bringing me stuff, why wouldn't I smile?" None of the stuff was ever for me, but it's always fun to sign for packages, isn't it?
He took back the clipboard and said, "I wish I had a smile like that to greet me when I go home." He was on his way back to the truck when he said it, no lingering or anything.
I said, "Thanks" I think, and shut the door. Now that could mean anything, depending on my daily level of paranoia. The FedEx guy has the hots for me. The Fedex guy is lonely and I was nice to him. Poeple don't smile a lot at the FedEx guy. Or maybe he's going to come back and peep in my windows. (Once you've had a Peeper, you get a little paranoid).
My conclusion was that I'm paranoid and he was just being nice. The key is not to think about it too much. That way lies madness. Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
Paranoia - an interesting choice of words, Olive.
-Trevor
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Maybe his wife is a shrew.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Man, all I ever get from solicitors or delivery guys, is "Is your mother home?" or "Can I speak to the homeowner?" Sometimes its easier to say no, and shut the door, but trying to convince the persistent ones that I am the homeowner and no we don't want to buy anything gets downright annoying.
AJ
[ September 15, 2004, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by Uhleeuh (Member # 6803) on :
You know, Annie, earlier today I was on the phone with a friend who has read your posts (not in a stalker way, in a I-enjoy-your-posts way) and she's dying to get to know you...as soon as she decides to start posting, that is. So you're not just a WOW! in looks, you've got that something about you that makes you a WOW! in the personality department as well.
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
OOh, I'm so gonna prank call AJ with the 'is your mother home' line. When you least expect it!!
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
Since I was in middle school I have been getting, "Is your husband home?". I don't get it. I don't think I look old enough for a husband.
Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
Maybe you just behave in a manner more mature than many of your peers.
-Trevor
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
Maybe, but I doubt they sensed my maturity in the way I opened the door..
Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
At the risk of paying you an unwanted comliment, they might be reading your body language and your manner which suggest mature, responsible person, probably an adult and likely the lady of the house.
Or it's the safest question they feel they can ask without appearing to be creepy.
-Trevor
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
You're tall. I don't know what it is, I used to be mistaken for the homeowner when I was in my teens and living with my parents, and now that I'm a decade older they refuse to believe it. The only thing that's actually changed about my appearance is the length of my hair.
beats me. But Annie definitely is a *WOW* kinda girl.
AJ
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
Very few compliments are unwanted, at least by me. I can see how it would seem like the safest question to ask; which is why AJ being asked if her parents are home seems ridiculous.
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
quote:But Annie definitely is a *WOW* kinda girl.
This is true.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Allegra -- when I met you at KamaCon, I definately thought you were older than you are. I didn't realize you were still in high school for some time. I figured you were at least college, if not past. Maybe it is your height.....
FG
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
Farmgirl- Really?! I thought I could pass for early 20s but not beyond that. I hope I don't continually look much older then I am. That would not be cool when I am 30.
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
I'm realizing I did horrible at age guessing at Kamacon. ElJay was just the beginning!
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
HEHEHE...I'm going to be SO hot when I'm forty.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
I was shocked to find out that ElJay is over 30. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
'Cause I certainly don't act like it.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Oh, and Allegra... when I was a teenager, people always thought I was older than I actually was. It wasn't until my early 20s that it started to swing the other way. So don't worry about it.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
You don't look it either, hon. Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I still don't believe ElJay is over 30.
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
I normally don't worry about it, but every so often when someone thinks I am like 10 years older then I am I start to think about it. A friend of mine put it well: you can tell I am a young woman between 17 and 30, people just don't always know where I fall.
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
*sigh*
I've always wanted to be a WOW girl....
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
Telperion- I think you are a WOW girl! Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
I guaruntee you will be a WOW girl in those blue crushed velvet tights!
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
I'm 30, and people used to guess me at around 19-20 until about 2 years ago. Now I just look like the almost-middle-aged housewife that I am.
space opera
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Almost middle aged??? You planning on dying at 61?
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Ok, but the fact that everyone suddenly stopped mistaking me for barely into my 20s makes me feel middle-aged.
space opera
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
I would have still guessed twenties for you, Nicole.
And Allegra - it's definitely the height. People just don't expect a teenager to be so tall.
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