Laundromats - magnets for suck?

[Gerrinson]

As usual, I can't go to the laundromat without running into something scraped up from the dregs of humanity.

This week's example was just a bit creepy. While I could have offered him some constructive criticism, I'd rather leave him stuck in his own personal vortex of fail.

I had started my laundry, gotten a drink and some M&M's and I was sitting down on a bench to read my book.

A bit later, two people came over to sit on the other bench. A man and woman, he was talking to her about something to do with her being from Vermont, what is Vermont like, blah, blah, blah. I tuned out and read my book.

Until, that is, the woman got up from their bench and moved to sit next to me (the benches are really only big enough for 2 adults each.) At this point, I pretend to continue reading, but kick into eavesdropping mode.

Loony toons guy is going on about how this is a great opportunity for her, he lives in New York state and wants to expand into Vermont and Massachusetts, and she should sign now before the chance is lost, etc. I tune out again.

Then she grabs her cell phone, gets up, and says she has to make a call. She steps outside, I glance up the through the window (I'm curious. And nosy.) to see her shove the phone back in her pocket as soon as she's out of sight of looney toon. She then books it down the sidewalk to the grocery store.

Deprived of his original target, looney toon comes over to my bench, sits down so close to me that his thigh is pressed against mine. Creepy. And, henceforth, know as Strike 1. And, actually, since thus far I've given absolutely zero social cues that I have the slightest bit of interest in interacting with another human being, Strike 2. Two strikes and he hasn't even spoken to me yet. Not looking good for him.

Our players - Looney Tune - LT and Me - Myself and I

LT: Hey, you must be from Hawaii! You're from Hawaii, right? I can tell these things. <Incidentally, his breath reeked of beer and vomit simultaneously. Which is a totally awesome trait in someone who is invading your personal space. Really.>

Me: No. <I look, okay glare, him in the eye, get up, and move away to refresh my personal space. Also, Strike 3 for noticing that I'm not 100% Caucasian and then taking a pot shot at my ethnic origins based solely on appearences.>

LT: No way! I'm never wrong about these things, I can tell. If you're not from Hawaii where are you from? <Leaning closer to me so I get another fragrant blast of his breath stench. Up to Strike 4... Why is this guy not out yet, damn it!>

Me: Seeing as I don't know you, it's none of your damn business. <And I go back to trying to read my book.>

LT: Wow, dude, look I was just trying to have a friendly conversation. <Oh, trying to guilt me into talking to you? I am a misanthrope. You cannot guilt me into socializing with you. Especially since I know it will lead to your sales pitch.>

Me: <Glaring at him. Again.> That makes one of us, now doesn't it?

LT: <Looking like I stabbed his puppy while stomping on his kitten, he gets up and goes to the other end of the laundromat to sulk. Oh, boo hoo. Now I feel bad. NOT.>

And on the way out, he got in the final shot, to really put me in place. He yells out "Have a nice day, a**hole!" Yup. He got me good. Now I'm devastated.

There are just so many things wrong with approaching sales this way. I was going to nitpick, but I think I'll just pass. I don't think it matters what he was selling, I just can't see anyone buying.

[ditchdj]

Whatever happened to those days in which a stranger would actually say hi to you just to be polite and not just to try to get something out of you?

[Gerrinson]

Whatever happened to those days in which a stranger would actually say hi to you just to be polite and not just to try to get something out of you?

Actually, I think that is the reason why no one just says 'hi' anymore. Too many douchewaffles like this one who will take it as an excuse to latch on to you and go into their choice of diatribe/sales pitch/cult invitation.

[protege]

Too many douchewaffles like this one who will take it as an excuse to latch on to you and go into their choice of diatribe/sales pitch/cult invitation.

That's exactly why. Oh, and it's not just the laundromat either. There's a guy like that at the hobby shop. He's annoying as hell, and most people try to avoid him. Sure, he knows his Pennsylvania RR steam locomotives, but that's his only good point. He smells like shit and tends to butt-in to every conversation. I've actually seen people walk into the shop, see him leaning on the counter...and leave

It's unfortunate that he's driving away business, but the guy has been kicked out at least once. He didn't show up for months after the shop moved. Now though, with the increase in business, nobody has the time to keep an eye out for him.

[blas]

I don't think it's ONLY laundromats, but I see your point.

My parents will not let me go to a laundromat. It's my own personal choice to refuse to use the washers and dryers that are provided in every building, because of some of the people I live with, not knowing what is in their laundry, trust issues, etc etc.

My parents don't care if I use some of their water and they like me to stay a while and feed my pets and whatnot. It saves me a lot of money, considering I do laundry every week, and laundromats in town are obnoxiously overpriced, and the laundry where I live is $1.50/load.

My stance is that I've got the same DNA as everyone else in my family, and I know them well enough to know that there isn't anything uber funky going on in their washer and dryer. I cannot say the same for laundromats in general or the one in my building's basement. Would YOU want to do your laundry in the same washer as Sheriff does?

[Imogene]

Whatever happened to those days in which a stranger would actually say hi to you just to be polite and not just to try to get something out of you?

Hey, the family and I went out to dinner the other night, and I was seated in a spot right on the end of the table, and accidentally caught a sweet, older lady's eye as she passed by to leave, I smiled, she smiled. Life went on.