He is an accountant and definitely trying to come out of his shell. He spends the majority of his time attending networking events. I couldn’t figure out what his goal is with all of these events, however, it seems it is to meet new people.
As I talk to him, I learn he planned a college reunion on LinkedIn. He said he drove to his Alma mater, found as many people’s names as possible, and invited 250 people. He ended up having 25 show up. Seems like a lot of work, but, he was happy with it. I end up hearing all about this event on our first phone call.
He then calls again and we start talking. He was telling me about how he was attending a networking event in my area and would I like to meet out for a drink? I thought, for sure.
While on the call, he starts going on and on about his networking abilities and starts to tell me about this event he had for his Alma mater.
Uh oh, is he bringing this up again? I have already heard it. I gently say I remember you telling me this story. And, I am thinking to myself it wasn’t even that great of a story to begin with?
Anyway, he said he has between 5pm – 6pm to meet for our first date, or 9pm-? due to this networking event. I immediately grab 5pm – 6pm. I had an intuition I might need an end time with him.
I ask where he would like to meet, he says he wants to meet at the place where his event is. I said, are you sure? We can meet anywhere, he said, no, that is best.
As I walk into the bar, two other guys follow me in. I see my date sitting at the bar. Little did I know that these two guys behind me, know my date. So, I walk over to say hello and these guys join us!
Wait, what? These two guys are now part of our awkward first date? What is that all about? I was hoping that my date would say to these guys, I am going to meet with both of you later but want to have a drink with Sue first. Nope, not how it happened. He didn’t manage the situation at all.
These other two guys think I know my date and they also think I am there for the networking event. So, now I am trying to talk to these 3 guys wondering how did I end up here? After about a half hour, the two guys go upstairs where the event is and want me to join them. I told them I wasn’t there for the event, but they said, we would love for you to go. No thank you.
So, now it is me and my date alone and what does he start to talk about? You guessed it, his reunion for his college. I couldn’t believe I was about to hear the same story for the third time.
As we were getting ready to leave, he actually said to me, you know Sue, if you put your mind to it, I bet you could be OK at networking. I sat there and thought, if he had asked me one question or got to know me at all, he would have realized that is kind of my thing.
He then called me wanting to go out again but I couldn’t hear the story for a 4th time.
Lesson Learned? If your date is multi-tasking, totally understand, but insist you meet somewhere close to where his event is, so you don’t have the awkwardness of others on a first date.
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