Sagittarius
Is there a bar for single, non-obnoxious people in Toronto that I don't know about? I'm six months into my residency here, and I'm starting to notice that at 28, I'm a little too old for the singles scene in this city.
Last Thursday I made plans to meet my roommate and her boyfriend at a bar. I'm overly punctual when meeting people for drinks, because I like sitting at the bar, talking to the bartender and chatting with strangers. After all, I'm new to town. I need to meet people.
On this particular night, I'm at a bar in the Annex(or was it Yorkville? I'm still finding my way around Toronto. Maybe it was on the border?) I'm early, so I bust out my notebook and start writing.
"Are you writing in your diary?" says the dude at the end of the bar. His sidekick laughs. Yes, my blue, 80-page, spiral Hilroy book has been mistaken for a Judy Blume book prop.
"No, I only take my diary to Sneaky Dees." The guys both laugh. They invite me to move over to a bar stool closer to them. I decline. They ask again, and I fold. I can't be a bitch.
They order Labatt 50. That's the first turn-off. They're either broke, or into crappy beer. Not that I'm looking for a man in his Carlsberg years or anything. A simple Alexander Keiths guy would do. Nonetheless, it's always interesting to have conversations with people in bars, regardless of their blood-alcohol content. I'm going through a Strongbow phase this summer.
"So, how old are you guys?" I ask.
"Twelve," says Guy 1. Haha. You're hilarious. I can't stop laughing. You're 12. Awesome. I'm 23 on Facebook. Maybe 12 is the number of beers you drank before you came to the bar.
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Comments
The problem I have with this
By Jack Carter, September 22, 2007 at 23:45The problem I have with this story is that the author is contemptuous of the two guys for being bad at picking up women when the author admits that she is bad at finding guys. Why does she think she's better then them? They are interested in her because they think she's cute, she wants to kiss the bartender because she thinks he's cute. She also admires the bartenders courtesy (which is just part of his job) but by not politely and clearly rejecting the guys she is showing a lack of courtesy. If you make quick judgments about people based on what beer you drink that should be easy.
28 is not too late to grow up. Harsh but true.
Actually it's not entirely true, I have no way to make that judgment without knowing the author. But it sounded snappy and isn't entirely false.
Great story. Great writing.
By Trina Ricketts, September 6, 2007 at 20:15Great story. Great writing. It totally hooked me. And it made me laugh.
Ok...you made me feel very
By Michelle Kenneth, September 11, 2007 at 07:46Ok...you made me feel very old today. LOL.
If you think you have issues there...the rate of picking up eligible bachelors in NYC is about the same and WORSE!
Believe me, I've tried the happy hour scene. Men very rarely break from their group to talk to someone outside of their group. They look, they smile, but they're too scared.
I tried going to games and meeting men who are interested in hockey. That didn't work either. Actually...men are scared that I know the game better then they do. I think that becomes anti-feminine somewhere along the way. :)
The gym is the WORST place to pick up men.
The internet...well, you have to deal with a lot of fakes who pretend they're someone they're not.
I would say the best way to meet someone in any major city...fall in love with the local music there. Go where there are good acts that have a good crowd. I've met so many people by attending a show at a bar. People seem to loosen up more and are friendlier with other people when there's music (and beer) involved.
Every guy who reads this
By roberrific, September 6, 2007 at 04:43Every guy who reads this story is left with one question - how physically attractive is this author?
Also I must point out that between Sept - May there is on average 2:1 ratio of girls to guys in Toronto.
This is because the women leave the rural villages to work or get educated in the city, while the men stay behind to farm and work in rural enterprise.
roberrific
Russell - click on the
By Heather Wallace, September 6, 2007 at 05:32Russell - click on the author's byline if you want to see what people look like.
Incidentally, Christina Walkinsaw is very bella!
Re: Is 28 Too Late?
By Michelle Kenneth, October 22, 2007 at 12:16Dear Jack ~
I think you're missing something else here. Those two kids were complete jerks to her. It's not that they were bad at picking her up...they were just complete @ssh0les to her. So technically when someone is a complete jerk to you, you find every single little thing wrong with them in the next 3 seconds that they're taking up your air space (what she found...the cheap beer). You missed the whole part where even the other people hearing this conversation thought the two kids were being jerks to her.
The conversation that took place here made it very apparent the guys were too full of themselves and not being honest or nice to her. It's not that they were bad at picking a girl up, they were just plain outright rude and mean to her. They gave every sign of being NOT INTERESTED.
If they were interested, then they need to learn how to have more respect for women. SHEESH!
MK
Re: Is 28 Too Late?
By Serendipity, October 26, 2007 at 20:52Loved this story. And yes, you ARE good-looking. Get to know guys at work--it's a lot safer.