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My New Policy at Faire
Some people may see this as an indication of burn-out, but I assure you, I'm still having the time of my life dressing up like a fairy and selling roses. Many years ago, I promised myself that I would quit this job when it stops being fun. So long as I still have an awesome boss and co-workers, that doesn't look like it's going to happen.
I am, however, finally putting my foot down when it comes to a certain type of person that I tend to attract.
My new policy: I am under no obligation to be nice to creepers, including anyone who thinks that giving me money comes with the expectation of anything other than receiving a flower.
Do not mistake me; I love making new friends, and I'm willing to give just about anybody a chance. If you need a little work on your social skills, that's fine. Many of us have been in that "socially-awkward-doesn't-know-how-to-talk-to-or-interact-with-people" place, and that's ok. It takes some work, but most people can grow past that.
I've met some of my favorite people because I sold them roses at faire. True story: one of them is now in my wedding party!
However, I'm kind of over the people who think that buying roses from me guarantees them some level of friendship. I'm totally over the dudes who think it's ok to buy a flower from me, tell me how wonderful they think I am, and then proceed to ask me out without bothering to learn my faire name, let alone who I really am. (Hopefully that sort of behavior will be deterred by my engagement ring, but I have my doubts.) There's one dude in particular who, if he dares to show up again, is not even going to get the opportunity to talk at me. I will gladly take money from the rest of them, but as soon as they start presumin', I'm done being polite.
The assumption that buying roses means we're friends has always bothered the crap out of me, and I'm done putting up with it. I will continue to be civil towards people who make such assumptions (up to a point: harassers will be verbally trounced,) and I will gladly continue to take their money. The instant an assumption of friendship or other creepy behavior occurs, I'm done. Depending on the situation, I will either tell the individual that what they're doing is uncool, or I will simply walk away.
I am, however, finally putting my foot down when it comes to a certain type of person that I tend to attract.
My new policy: I am under no obligation to be nice to creepers, including anyone who thinks that giving me money comes with the expectation of anything other than receiving a flower.
Do not mistake me; I love making new friends, and I'm willing to give just about anybody a chance. If you need a little work on your social skills, that's fine. Many of us have been in that "socially-awkward-doesn't-know-how-to-talk-to-or-interact-with-people" place, and that's ok. It takes some work, but most people can grow past that.
I've met some of my favorite people because I sold them roses at faire. True story: one of them is now in my wedding party!
However, I'm kind of over the people who think that buying roses from me guarantees them some level of friendship. I'm totally over the dudes who think it's ok to buy a flower from me, tell me how wonderful they think I am, and then proceed to ask me out without bothering to learn my faire name, let alone who I really am. (Hopefully that sort of behavior will be deterred by my engagement ring, but I have my doubts.) There's one dude in particular who, if he dares to show up again, is not even going to get the opportunity to talk at me. I will gladly take money from the rest of them, but as soon as they start presumin', I'm done being polite.
The assumption that buying roses means we're friends has always bothered the crap out of me, and I'm done putting up with it. I will continue to be civil towards people who make such assumptions (up to a point: harassers will be verbally trounced,) and I will gladly continue to take their money. The instant an assumption of friendship or other creepy behavior occurs, I'm done. Depending on the situation, I will either tell the individual that what they're doing is uncool, or I will simply walk away.