School for Flirts

Image taken from howstuffworks.com (I did a Google image search, I didn't actually look up how flirting works).

My title is misleading. It really should be, "School for People Who Are Bad at Flirting." But the other one sounds nicer.

With Valentine's Day now a mere 10 days from now, maybe some of you would like to check this out. This article in the Boston Globe chronicles writer Meredith Goldstein's attendance to a flirting class in the Boston Center for Adult Education.

When I read the first few paragraphs, I was ready to blast this piece, as well as the people who attended the seminar. But I'm here at my computer alone and they're at least out trying to improve their lives romantically, even if it is at a cost of $51. 

Goldstein informed them of her status as a journalist, but that didn't seem to bother anyone.

Swack made me pair up with the defensive guy from Fidelity.

He complimented first: "I like your sweatshirt," he said.

I wasn't wearing a sweatshirt. It was a sweater. It was just baggy.

It was my turn to compliment him, so I told him that his questions in class made him sound smart and thoughtful. I didn't mean it, but it seemed like something nice to say.

Swack interrupted us and told me I wasn't really flirting. She said I sounded disingenuous.

"Tell him he's smart," she said. "That's a compliment."

"How do I know he's smart?" I asked, frustrated.

I told him I liked his sneakers.

While I would still never go to some class like this, I can understand why some people would. She described the crowd as predominantly middle-aged and presumably divorced. I can't make fun of a group of people like that.

I'd rather wish them good luck...

...and hope I never am in the same situation.