An Indecent Proposal

Take your hand…away.

I was at my most bliss. Dancing lockstep with the rhythm, my mind aimlessly pondering the beauty of the infinite. And no, that’s not hyperbole, I swear. It was Pi Day after all- so the infinite was the topic du jour. It was amidst this dreamy state that a strange hand suddenly entered my purview. My eyes grazed up the outstretched and persistent arm, towards a man’s face- which I had never, ever seen. So I met him squarely in his eyes and asked, “do I know you?

“No” he retorted, hand still perched on his pedestal of high expectations. Annoyance clearly began to wash over him.

“Well, why would you expect me to take your hand? I asked out of abject curiosity. My tone was direct, but gentle.

“Because most decent people would” he snarkily countered, shaking his head in dismay.

Wow. Let’s rest on this man’s response, shall we. “Because most decent people would.”

So I did what actual decent people do.

Which is to take time out of being on cloud nine, to explain why his long standing and insistent offer was whack-a-don’t. To which he rolled his eyes, muttered something too stupid to remember, turned on his heels and walked away.

Sir- you might think you’re kind, but…well there are a lot of buts. And one asshole.

For instance- his hands might have been nasty from touching his dick, wiping his rear end and/or picking his nose. They probably were filthy with that stinky attitude. And the flu is going around too and other things.

OR…perhaps I have a jealous partner or social anxiety. Or my dog died that day. Not to worry y’all- I added the last bit for drama, I don’t have a dog.

OR…is he even vaguely aware of the awful and horrifying acts that can transpire simply by interacting with a stranger. Though the chances are low- so we hope, he has zero clue of my background or fears. Or I might know, have heard of or read about something horrific happening to someone near this very venue. Or anywhere it can and does happen on this planet.

Knowledge for such a person is a moot point- if that. The only factors they deem worth considering are…well, theirs when “selecting” a partner to dance with. What my opinions, wants and needs are rendered inconsequential. And rescinding only makes me ungrateful, right?!

Wrong. And no reason why is necessary. Nor is an apology or further polite explanation. Fact of the matter is that I just simply didn’t want to hold his greedy and grubby greeter.

So sir, and any other human beings that need to hear this. Perhaps the next person you extend your hand to will happily accept, And together you can dance as the sun rises through the club’s windows, while draped by fog and golden, soft light. Just like a modern Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

But know this. Future forward, if the response to your gesture is a polite decline, check your deMANding attitude at the door. Lest you get bounced out of it one day. Instead, perhaps just smile and give that person their space.

Just be decent.

Wanna read/hear more on this matter? Check out “Pas de Don’t”- because it doesn’t always take two to make a thing go right.