[Poll] Tuesday in the Park with the Earthling. And Strangers.

[thefourthvine]

Ever since I realized, back in college, that I was dropping social cues with the kind of consistency most people reserve for breathing, I have maintained two mental lists, and I spend at least a small part of every day going over them: Social Cues Dropped (But at Least, in Retrospect, I Know What I Was Supposed to Do or Say) and Social Clues Dropped (No Clue What Should Have Happened.) I am pleased to say that the second list is generally shorter these days than it used to be. (The other one is much, much longer. But this post is not about my oddities.)

There is also a third mental list that I update less frequently. It is probably best titled simply WTF?, although I think of it as Other People's Mistakes.

Today, I had an interaction that I am tentatively slotting into the third category, but I'd like your opinion on it.

Because of an unexpected appointment cancellation, I took the earthling to the park rather later than is usual. After some time on the swings and the playset, the earthling went into climb-every-mountain mode and began slogging up the highest hill in the park.

At the top of that hill is a stone bench and table. When we got there, there was a man, middle-aged and normal looking, sitting on the bench, and a dog, one of those big silky collies that always look dignified even when they are running into trees, sitting at his feet. (This one did not, while I watched, run into a tree, but I will never forget seeing a collie do that. It changed my view of them forever.) When we got near the bench, the earthing experienced summit sadness and began refusing to go in any direction that was not further up, which was problematic, since we were as high as we could go. Observing me negotiating with the earthling, the normal (looking) man leaned over and said to me, thoughtfully:

"You know, I think my dog is the love of my life."

"Yes, dogs are wonderful," I said, most of my mind on the earthling.

"I've never felt this way about anyone else," he said.

"They're really wonderful," I agreed, starting to feel like I was joining a conversation already in progress.

"She's sure better than any woman," he said, sort of chuckling. Then he paused, and in a low, more personal tone added, "Or any man."

"...Oh?" I said.

"I really do love this dog. I mean love this dog," he continued. "People can't understand that, but it is what it is and I don't regret it." He paused for a second, then added, "I just wish people were open-minded. That's what I always say: keep an open mind."

"That's, um, nice. You have a good day, now," I said, and scooped up the earthling and carried him, protesting vigorously, toward the car.

So, my question to you people is: was that as weird as it felt at the time? And if so, when did it go off the rails?

[Poll #1480467]

Comments

[brownbetty]

I have frequently said things re: my dog that made me feel the need to add, "er. But not in an inappropriate way," in case anyone had got the wrong idea, so I'm willing to extend him some credit on No. 1., but after that, I would be backing away while trying not to make sudden movements.

[allburningup.livejournal.com]

This is just sort of thing that people who really do have sex with animals (or very much want to have sex with animals) say. (Don't ask me how I know.) I rather doubt he didn't know what he was implying. There's a chance he was just trying to mess with you, but I'm betting that he really does have, at the very least, romantic feelings for his dog.

[insane-duckfish.livejournal.com]

Usually when one makes small talk with strangers, you lead with something about THEM rather than something about yourself, or at least something mutual like the weather. So right from the off it's a bit weird, but not utterly bizarre.

But, you know, lots off people love their dog! I love my dog! It wouldn't even have been that weird if he had left it at "love of my life". But, um, "People can't understand that, but it is what it is and I don't regret it." ? Maybe we've all just been reading too much fic. But I really don't think so.

You know, it wouldn't even have been that weird if he had acted like he knew you were there. IDEK. At least it's amusing.

[it-mightbe-love.livejournal.com]

Im the only one who answered that it wasn't weird...maybe it's just my geographical location but I seriously have had that exact conversation like...five times this month.

I totally work at a vet hospital and that may contribute to this weirdness factor...but yeah...I've had waaaaaay more bizarre conversations before.

[insane-duckfish.livejournal.com]

Working at a vet hospital probably contributes A LOT to the weirdness/non-weirdness factor. I mean, if I had this conversation at a vet, even if it was a stranger who had no reason to talk to me, I would at least see the relevance. I mean, you are at a vet! You both presumably care about animals! It is logical to engage in small talk based upon them. But this conversation appears to have been completely out of the blue. IDK. Not trying to dismiss your opinion or anything.