An Italian, a Frenchman, and a Dutch dude walked into the bar...Other than the question of "how is it different than home?", the most common question I get is "Meet any guys?". Yes of course, but any that you want to know about?
I started off in Holland all open and willing to meet anyone. I had 6 months, and if I was going to meet the man of my dreams, I had better get on it. I jumped in with both feet, and went to an expat event in Rotterdam a whole 2 days after I arrived, didn't want to waste any time, so I thought it would be a good idea. Plus, a real cutie from Germany rsvp'd (but never showed :( ).
I showed up...a lot early but quickly was in a group chatting away, no princes, but it was early. I spotted a decently attractive guy and his friend early on, but since I was in the group, couldn't exactly make a break for it, so I just eyed him from across the room. When I escaped for another glass of wine, I casually walked towards the table said guy was at...and started up a conversation with his friend. Both true "froggies" (i.e., Frenchmen). The one I thought was cute... had janky teeth (and by that some were missing). But I had a nice conversation with the other Frog man. And by the end of night, we'd exchanged business cards. Sure, why not, right?
I showed up...a lot early but quickly was in a group chatting away, no princes, but it was early. I spotted a decently attractive guy and his friend early on, but since I was in the group, couldn't exactly make a break for it, so I just eyed him from across the room. When I escaped for another glass of wine, I casually walked towards the table said guy was at...and started up a conversation with his friend. Both true "froggies" (i.e., Frenchmen). The one I thought was cute... had janky teeth (and by that some were missing). But I had a nice conversation with the other Frog man. And by the end of night, we'd exchanged business cards. Sure, why not, right?
As I was heading towards the metro, I ran into an Italian who was leaving as well, we chatted a bit, but that was it. Off I went to home, happy I made the effort. Italy emailed me a day or so later, and asked me to dinner. What could I lose, right? I agreed, and we met up. He was older than I remember... a LOT older. Hmmm...and he had no plan on where to go for dinner, so we walked along the river... to a very touristy buffet Chinese restaurant. Dinner was palletable, and Italy thought it was fate that we met...Italy also had a 9-yr old and wasn't that interesting. On the walk back, it was chilly, I had my hands in my pockets, and Italy decided to put his hand in my arm nook... I felt like I was walking with a dad, and hoped that's what people thought. He then sent me a YouTube song that he said reminded him of me...alright, wasn't sure if he meant I had a good heart or one that was solid and impenetrable. Sorry, I wished I written the name down, because apparently the YouTube video no longer works. Humm a song about a hard hearted woman, and I'm sure that's me!
Date 2...was with the friend of the Frenchman. It went pretty well, we met up after his squash workout (should that have been a sign?), had some wine and a charcuterie plate, then had a beer at the local Irish bar (I've come to realize, the Irish may have not been all imperialistic, but they were more successful in making their mark all over the world...). The date ended well, and we agreed to meet again. This is where it all went south...of France. He offered to show me around Den Haag. He planned...for us to meet at 1, go to the beach, have a drink, have lunch, get a drink in Den Haag, his friend was to make dinner, and then we could go out... ummm yeah, that's a LOT much. The night before, he checked to see what I was up to, I said I was having dinner, and he said he was going to head to Rotterdam to go out, me and my friend should join. I asked, what friend? He said the one I was at dinner with... umm I'm not with anyone. He then said he would come join me.... um nope! I'm going to see you for almost the full day tomorrow, and pretty sure I'm good on my own (he later told me, he understands I am a loner... there's a first for everything).
I'm, sorry, come again? He said yeah, he was going to get... a croissant, and come back, relax, have a shower... ok? He was starting to leave, and I was still quite stunned... who DOES that? Talk about imposing. I was like, no, not ok. He was like, really? I said I'm just not comfortable with having people shower in my place (not to mention, I wanted to relax and enjoy my day!). He look at me like I'd said I wanted to bathe in shit, and was like, well, can I do my hair (really?) - so he put water on his hair and (finally) left. On Tuesday, he wanted to get together again, but when I begged out sick, he offered to bring me soup. No, that's ok. I've been in Holland... a whole 10 days, we've had 2 dates... pretty sure that's crossing a boundary. After 2 DTR emails, I thought this shit is too serious for 2 dates, and didn't respond...damn French, you pushy!
Dutchy was probably the best, but there was definitely no romantic interest. Again with the kids, which was the ice breaker to the conversation, but at the offer to be shown around Rotterdam, I took him up on it. He was a nice guy, took me to the lake, to a carnival (and even paid for me to shoot the archery and a gun... all I could think was, I could totally be like Katniss...), then to see where the 1st Americans set sail on the Mayflower. It was an easy night, no pressure - maybe he had the idea he wanted more, but in the end, I just got to learn a little more about Rotterdam and see a few sights. No harm, no foul.
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