A strange experience

 

Am I crazy? Or just the people around me are a little strange?

Today I was sitting in a café with my mother and a friend of ours. On the table next to ours there were two girls and an effeminate boy (later I found out that one of the girls had big teeth and the other had really long and skinny face). From the first second we sat of the table they (especially one of the girls) started to stare at our direction and laugh- intermittently. I secretly looked around and saw they could have stared nobody else but me- why? I couldn’t answer this question. Then they tried to attract my attention by saying ‘Hey!’ to me, but I had luck that the fountain nearby was making such noise that we could barely hear our conversation. Of course, I tried to pay no attention to their actions and not to react in any way (knowing the people in Haskovo, who have the habit to stare and mock at everybody who walks on the street, I thought this is the best thing to do).

…

At the end they were going (I somehow sighed with relief), but for my greatest surprise one of the girls came to me and said she wanted to tell me something aside. I was very surprised and just thought it wouldn’t be polite to say ‘No!’ and said ‘OK’. We walked a few steps; she introduced herself and said that she would like us to go out and drink coffee sometimes. Out of courtesy, I said ‘Maybe’. Then she asked for my number, and even my answer that I didn’t have one (because I don’t like mobile phones) couldn’t discourage her. Then there was an uneasy silence, because nobody had nothing to say because we were pondering over the question how to get in touch- she was very persistent (Oh, how stupid I felt!), and then I said (damn logical thinking!) that if she can’t have my number I could have hers. And just like that I took the note with the bill, took a pen from my mother and wrote her number.She said she would wait for me to call, because I told her I wouldn’t be in the town for I don’t know how long (it was true!).

Now I sit and wonder- was that really sincere or just another, but extended this time, mockery? Of course, I don’t intend to call this number. The rudeness with which they were staring at us so openly and the fact that the logic is on my side support my opinion. If it was a mockery, then I’d be right. If it was true, then I definitely shouldn’t- she should have been so desperate to judge me on my outer appearance and like me. (If I weren’t I, I wouldn’t have a good opinion of myself considering only my look then (and usually)).

However, that really made me wonder- am I the only crazy one who thinks there are some limits defining appropriate behaviour? Or just the others don’t know how to behave? I know I wouldn’t ask people to drink coffee no matter how interesting they seem to me on the street- especially if they are completely unknown- that’s just not acceptable. If I have to say my opinion right now- then I was surprised, now I am just outraged!