The downside of resting nice face

I've blogged before about how I have "resting nice face". Sometimes this can lead to meeting fun, interesting people but sometimes it can lead straight to conversation hell.

I went to Ward 8 last night for drinks for my friend Amy's birthday. I met Amy on Valentines Day many years ago volunteering at a soup kitchen. When I first got to the bar there was a woman by herself sitting near Amy. I started talking to Amy and her friends and at some point the woman interjected herself into the conversation. It was general chit chat so no harm done there. I had no idea what was to come.

Amy walks over to the entrance of the bar to greet some more friends coming in. It was at this point that I became trapped in a 45 minute one sided conversation. I barely say anything while this woman tells me her whole life story. I even know the details of every coat she owns including where she purchased them and for how much. Amy tried to rescue me by pulling me away to "introduce" me to someone and the woman followed me and kept talking. I was really getting annoyed at this point because I would like to spend time with my friend on her birthday.

I don't even remember why she finally left, I was just thrilled when she did. Amy apologized for not rescuing me. I told her she tried but we're both too nice so I was doomed.

Joe, maybe your daughter can help me with my resting bitch face.

That extrovert vibe

I had the best interaction with a stranger last night. I was waiting outside a T station for Derek and this young woman comes over and says hello. We start talking about how cold it is and who we're waiting for at the T station. She tells me that she met a guy at a show a few nights ago and they're meeting up to get burgers. She's twenty years old and her mother keeps texting her to check in because she's never taken the T alone before. She asks if we should huddle together for warmth. I say sure, why not. So this is how Derek found me at the T station - huddled together with a young lady who I've never met before talking about her impending first date.

There's something about me that makes strangers start talking to me. I think it's resting nice face but I also think people can sense if someone has an outgoing personality. You just give off this "talk to me" vibe. People are always asking me for directions or striking up random conversations. I've met some great people who I now call my friends because of this.

My friend Melissa and I met when she worked at my office for about two weeks. She got my name off the office contacts list to see if I wanted to go out. After we became friends I asked her why she called me considering we barely knew each other. Her response was that she wasn't really sure but I just seemed like someone that would be fun to hang out with. That was almost nine years ago.

I'm glad that I give off this extrovert vibe. Although sometimes you attract a creeper or two most times I'm left smiling after the conversation and sometimes I even find a new friend.

I hope my huddle friend had a good first date. She was super sweet and very excited.