So I'm at the Quick Trip on E15th in DSM today getting a soda. You know the place, it's down by the section of town where all the buildings are painted earthy browns and golds with faux mud hut beams protruding from just underneath the rooflines. The place you don't go to after dark ... or during the light for that matter ... but hey, I was thirsty ...

There she stood holding up the building ... I could smell the perfume whisking on the breeze from 7 parking spots away, black dress, leather strapped high heels halfway up her shins, 3, maybe 4 teeth, shaking like a wet cat in the snow ...

I sat there wondering what her story might be, wondering where she's been, the things she's seen in her lifetime ...

As each guy walked in the store she kindly asked with a trembling voice, "Can you tell me what time it is?", as she gazed at her digital watch, tapping on it as if the hands weren't moving and she was trying to perform a Fonzarelli to make them magically start moving again. Most ignored her, a few replied as they walked by ...

I go strolling in, she says nothing. I come strolling out, she says nothing.

I was offended. Should I have been?

Discuss ...

were you wearing a watch?

I don't think you should've gotten offended.

There is this thing in psychology called Social Attribution Theory. You know... you're at the airport departures and you see a couple kissing - you give them an attribute like "one of them is going abroad". Departures + couple kissing = they'll miss each other etc.

Little would you know that they're there because the guy just got back from a trip and they went to departure section because the bookshop there has a wider selection of books.... You get my point...

As you approached her, both of you bestowed some factors on each other. You were already "wondering where she's been, the things she's seen in her lifetime" and whether you were aware of it or not, you came to some conclusions. She did the same about you.

As in... Could be the way you looked at her, could be you were wearing for eg a suit which for some people looks somewhat intimidating (social classes and whatnot). It could be that you have that "I don't take no bull**it" look so she spared you the act...

It could be that she said it to the neighborhood guys she knew and not to you because you were unknown to her.  I wouldn't get offended unless you get some entertainment out of being offended.  You painted a good, visual description of her and the area, maybe you should write a song about her.  

Or she's just scared to talk to zombies?

It might be the axe in your skull and blood dripping down the side of your head.

just sayin'

Little details maybe...
like her not knowing that it is just a Skoal can
in your back pocket and not an indication of having
to work for it.

Maybe you should have been hanging your tongue out of the other side of your mouth.  Just saying!

So... it was snowing yesterday....?

Old55

I wouldn't get offended unless you get some entertainment out of being offended.

No, I don't get off on that kind of attention, but the thread was for entertainment and not to be taken too seriously ... although, every word is true. It was sad to be honest, she was hurtin' and I can only imagine what her life is like. :(

You painted a good, visual description of her and the area, maybe you should write a song about her.

There's several already ... Queen Of The Silver Dollar by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show comes to mind ...

The QT I was talking about has a bad reputation. Shootings, gang fights, robberies, random outbreaks of violence, prostitution ... here in little old safe and secure Iowa. It's disgusting really. No place is sacred any more. What's happening is, the state is getting money for a relocation program for troubled youths and families to be relocated from Chicago to various places in IA ... it hasn't exactly been working out so well for the folks who have called this place home all their life. Last year one of them got p/o'd at his girlfriend. Told her if she went to work, he was going to kill her. Walked in the convenience store she was working at and kept his promise with a double barrel shotgun.

Oh well. What ya gonna do.