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nycmermaidLast night I headed to Donovan's after work. When I got there the place was packed, as always, and after some confusion I put in my name for a table for three. Then my mom calls to say they just left home and they're on their way. Maybe I'm a horrible daughter, but I was a little dismayed upon hearing mom was coming. Mom has the potential to turn a pleasant evening into a horrible one. I changed our reservation to 4. They told me it would be over an hour wait, but that didn't matter to me, I wanted to have a few drinks at the bar anyway.
I get to the bar, order a Harp, and immediately start getting chatted up by these two older men - probably older than my parents. Their names were Jack and Frank. Frank was just an old drunk guy who kept talking about how beautiful my hair was. But Jack was nice, and not bad looking for an older guy either (kind of Gabriel Byrne-esque). He bought me a beer, and so I talked to them until my family arrived. Since I was still talking to these guys when my family got there, I introduced my family to them. Much smiling, joke-telling and drinking ensued. It was actually quite fun. Mom was in great spirits. Then they called our name and as we left the bar, my mom asked if I said goodbye to these guys. I figured that was the courteous thing to do, so I went over to Jack, said it was nice to meet him, blah blah blah have a great nightcakes. He then asks me if want to have lunch with him sometime. I say that's very sweet of him, but no.
**Let me just take a moment out from this story to say that Smithwick's, my favorite Irish ale, is coming to the U.S.! I am so excited! They had ads and coasters for it all over the bar, but they said they didn't have it yet. I know it probably won't be as good as it is in Ireland, but still, yay!**
So I sit down with my family and tell them this old guy asked me out to lunch. I found it funny. My mom says "I thought he might, that's why I told you to say goodbye to him!" Both my parents start ragging on me for turning this guy down! My brother is cracking up laughing. I think that was the appropriate response. This guy was *at least* as old as my parents. "It's just lunch," they say. Excuse me? It's not even like the guy works near me! What are we, in the dark ages? In "Fiddler on the Roof" Czarist Russia? In India? Do they want to sell me off to the highest bidder? Are they so afraid of their daughter being an old maid at 26 that they want her to be with the first guy who shows interest, even if he's older than they are? Madness I tell you, madness!
Anyway, we went on to have a great meal, and the bagpipers came around and played, and I friggin' love bagpipes, so I was just in heaven. I was so tired after dinner that I decided not to go out afterwards, which is best, because I really need to save my money.
Before I went to bed I checked my email and found a message from mom saying the following:
One thing I know about you now: You know what you don't want in a man........and you make up your mind without hesitation about any prospective relationship with any man you meet.
WHAT??!! Because I turned down a date with a 60-year-old, I make up my mind immediately about all men? I know she's just being nuts, I shouldn't let her get to me, but this kind of shit drives me insane. Maybe she thought the guy was cute and SHE wanted to go out with him! My parents actually think it's sweet that he met them and still asked me out. Yes it's sweet, but it's also weird, and inappropriate! I'm young enough to be his friggin daughter, no matter how attractive or charming he is! I went to bed really upset. My mother always finds a way to ruin my night. It never fails. I did write back to her trying to beat some sense in, that this guy was really old and she shouldn't judge me based on him.
Other than mom, though, my St. Patty's Day was really great. I got my Guinness, my cabbage, my bagpipers - and soon, my Smithwick's! Yay!
I get to the bar, order a Harp, and immediately start getting chatted up by these two older men - probably older than my parents. Their names were Jack and Frank. Frank was just an old drunk guy who kept talking about how beautiful my hair was. But Jack was nice, and not bad looking for an older guy either (kind of Gabriel Byrne-esque). He bought me a beer, and so I talked to them until my family arrived. Since I was still talking to these guys when my family got there, I introduced my family to them. Much smiling, joke-telling and drinking ensued. It was actually quite fun. Mom was in great spirits. Then they called our name and as we left the bar, my mom asked if I said goodbye to these guys. I figured that was the courteous thing to do, so I went over to Jack, said it was nice to meet him, blah blah blah have a great nightcakes. He then asks me if want to have lunch with him sometime. I say that's very sweet of him, but no.
**Let me just take a moment out from this story to say that Smithwick's, my favorite Irish ale, is coming to the U.S.! I am so excited! They had ads and coasters for it all over the bar, but they said they didn't have it yet. I know it probably won't be as good as it is in Ireland, but still, yay!**
So I sit down with my family and tell them this old guy asked me out to lunch. I found it funny. My mom says "I thought he might, that's why I told you to say goodbye to him!" Both my parents start ragging on me for turning this guy down! My brother is cracking up laughing. I think that was the appropriate response. This guy was *at least* as old as my parents. "It's just lunch," they say. Excuse me? It's not even like the guy works near me! What are we, in the dark ages? In "Fiddler on the Roof" Czarist Russia? In India? Do they want to sell me off to the highest bidder? Are they so afraid of their daughter being an old maid at 26 that they want her to be with the first guy who shows interest, even if he's older than they are? Madness I tell you, madness!
Anyway, we went on to have a great meal, and the bagpipers came around and played, and I friggin' love bagpipes, so I was just in heaven. I was so tired after dinner that I decided not to go out afterwards, which is best, because I really need to save my money.
Before I went to bed I checked my email and found a message from mom saying the following:
One thing I know about you now: You know what you don't want in a man........and you make up your mind without hesitation about any prospective relationship with any man you meet.
WHAT??!! Because I turned down a date with a 60-year-old, I make up my mind immediately about all men? I know she's just being nuts, I shouldn't let her get to me, but this kind of shit drives me insane. Maybe she thought the guy was cute and SHE wanted to go out with him! My parents actually think it's sweet that he met them and still asked me out. Yes it's sweet, but it's also weird, and inappropriate! I'm young enough to be his friggin daughter, no matter how attractive or charming he is! I went to bed really upset. My mother always finds a way to ruin my night. It never fails. I did write back to her trying to beat some sense in, that this guy was really old and she shouldn't judge me based on him.
Other than mom, though, my St. Patty's Day was really great. I got my Guinness, my cabbage, my bagpipers - and soon, my Smithwick's! Yay!
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no subject
Date: 2004-03-18 09:42 am (UTC)We're having them at our wedding. I decided I want some of my "roots" in the wedding if we are going to get married at his church. Of course, I'm not having the "Here Comes the Bride" piped, but a trad. celtic wedding march. For the life of me I can't remember it! Argh
no subject
Date: 2004-03-18 09:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-18 10:21 am (UTC)Well, I didn't need any more proof that your mom isn't playing with a full deck, but this is certainly an extra indicator. I bet if you really did bring home an old man one day claiming he's the love of your life, she would say "HIM? He's too OLD for you!" You just can't win.
no subject
Date: 2004-03-18 10:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-19 06:56 am (UTC)-B