It's been over a month since my last post and I've done a bit of exploring and living since then. Thankfully, (for my own sanity) I have been able to get away from the computer and the office for a lot of that time.
On to the assignment!
I can't really comment on the differences on gender because well, I really haven't noticed that much of a difference. Yes, you have the men and the women but nothing that I would say that defies conventional stereotypes. Majority of the time, men work construction and women are the cleaners. It's those sort of "gender roles" that many people stick to.
Francis, that is the most boring thing you have EVER written. In fact, it's more boring than the time you tried to explain black holes to me. And besides, I heard that you are somewhat of a 'celebrity' in South Africa. I know you're working at a science centre, but there has gotta be something to write about!
If it's a story you want, a story you will get!
Unfortunately, many of the girls have faced some very uncomfortable situations regarding members of the opposite sex. I can only express my deepest sympathies to them. Being a boy, I fortunately have not had to face such horrible wanton acts of aggression and sexism. Nor have I been one to engage in machismo behaviour. I'm always the big brother wherever I go... But then again, it seems that all the girls I meet are much younger or older. It's a good role to be in, some times, er, a lot of the time. You can just say hi and them walk away... run away. (Stalkers, I'm talking to you!)
If we're talking and you tell me your age and it ends with "teen," it means you are my student and you should be in class. Don't send one of your friends to talk to me as I'm working. If you have questions about the content feel free to ask. But if the rest of you are giggling like a bunch of little schoolgirls, I don't think you want to know more about science. (I can hear and see you!) And most certainly, do not try to get my number, more information about my past or especially chit chat to me while you blink you little eyes... You're way too young and should continue to have your milk and cookies. Of course there is a difference between someone just striking up a conversation and someone whom is gushing bright red the whole time. If you can't look me in the eye and discuss science, you can be certain you're talking to the wrong guy. No I'm not that guy from TV. I'm not Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee. I'm not the guy on the science show, no matter how much you think we look alike. Don't mob me! Think about this, if I was that guy on TV, wouldn't I know what you're talking about???
Uh... Francis? That's not a story. Details!
I'm a dude, I don't do details.
I'm told that it's common, ehem very common to date younger (aka cradle rob) in South Africa. But I always assumed that it was always the guys after the girls. But no, that's not the case.
Yay!! Story!
Shhh! Quiet! I'm telling the story.
It was dark but there was more than enough light inside to see clearly. The haze of the smokers drifted ever so lightly over all of us. I was young and naive. I have only been in town for a few weeks. I thought I could just procure a pool table that wasn't being used. I believed there was a certain order to this place. As I walked past the bar (where it was safe), it happened.
The bar and that single pool table were far enough. Far enough so that one man (me) could walk by without interferring with the game. However, much to my surprise, and I do mean it was much a of a surprise, this girl uh, made sure she got my attention. Normally if you're playing pool and you hit someone with the back of the cue, both parties apologise for the contact. Normally a person playing has the butt of the cue in the air. (Imagine it being around my stomach or higher, I'm short) But no, she got me squarely on my lower, lower back.
Francis, that's called an accident, you narcissist pig!
No, no. And accident is when the butt end hits you, not when her hand squeezes your butt.
Oooohhhh...
And besides, it was the, "whoops did I do that?" look on her face that made it clear that it was no accident. So being the naive young man that I was, I smiled and walked away... to where it was safe.
Then I saw another pool table, and I moved to ask the players if they had finished. To my dismay, they had not! Down on my luck, I went back to where it was safe. The players saw my sad puppy dog eyes and my sad puppy dog lips and invited M and I to play. We split up and made teams. It was fun playing pool with a clearly inebriated partner. My partner was missing left right and centre. But no worries.
What's the point to this one Francis?
Patience grasshopper.
When we finally won a game, my partner was estatic, she was all hugs and elation. She grabbed my puppy dog head and smooched me like only a sad puppy dog could be smooched. As I fought for air, and freedom, I retreated to where it was safe.
Safety came in the form of Francois, who kindly took my place.
Francis, why were you so keen on leaving those girls?
Well because I used the term girls loosely, to be more accurate, I would have had to use older ladies.
Here is some simple ecology to account for my action or inaction:
In the animal kingdom, if a animals feels threatned it's either fight or flight. If you are not a hunter, you are prey. In my case, it was clear that I was being hunted. For example, at home if you're in cougar territory, it's best to take your puppy away to where it is safe. I mean, that's if you want to see your puppy again.
When I told this story to another girl I met at the bar a month later, she asked, "Why are you complaining?"
I answered, "What complaint?"
She just smiled and we stayed where it was safe.