Thursday, October 29, 2009

To Sit, or not To Sit

This semester I often have breaks in between my classes, so I tend to either go catch up on the TV shows I've missed during the week on my laptop in the library (because who goes there to study), or I'll go eat my lunch in the Wilkinson Center. Whenever I choose the Wilkinson Center, it always happens to be at the busiest time (Whether it's 11:00 or 2:00, it always seems to be the busiest!).

This causes problems.

As I walk throughout the eating area, I try and first spot a seat at one of the tables around the edge of the room, as they are meant for only one or two people, and you can often times plug in a computer cord. This is my ideal choice because a) I can be on my laptop (which makes me appear like less of a loser for having no one to sit with), and b) I don't feel dumb sitting by myself.

Anyways, these table are usually taken, so I then search for one of the bigger tables. Typically I can find one. However, sometimes this is not the case and I am forced to make a terrible decision. Either go sit outside (which isn't that terrible, but I don't like doing this), or sit at a table where someone else is sitting. Now, this may not seem like a life or death situation, but I assure you, it is. After having talked to many people about if it's weird or not for someone you don't know to come sit by you in the cougar eat, I have come to the conclusion, many people think it's odd. Me, on the other hand, would be totally okay with it (especially if the person was an attractive male), but I guess I'm not up on social norms. However, in attempts not to make people feel awkward, I never know if I should sit at one of these random tables that has four open seats, but only one occupied. Should I risk making someone feel exceedingly awkward**, or suck it up and perhaps meet someone really awesome? And, if I sit with someone, should I tell them my name, or act as if they do not exist? Thoughts?

**Although, like I said, I typically love when random people come sit by me in the library or the cougar eat, I had a sufficiently awkward experience . This random guy came up to me and asked if he could sit with me. Even though I was doing some homework, I told him sure, and he proceeded to sit down. It was obvious I was kind of busy, but he proceeded to talk to me. After telling me his name, the first thing he said was, "I have a very strong feeling that I should do something right now." At first I thought he was going to tell me he had a revelation that he should ask me out, but luckily it wasn't that. He went on to tell me that he had a very strong feeling that he should serve his mission in January, rather than wait until Winter Semester was over, but he didn't know if he should trust that, because ALL of his revelations come in dreams. I was just like . . . Wow, that's pretty intense. I don't think I've ever had a revelation in a dream. I guess you'd better pray about it. And he went on for 20 minutes about this situation. I had no idea what to tell him. Eventually it was just weird, so I kindly said I had to go . . . Which I technically did. You can only sit in the cougar eat so long. But yes, this experience has made me weary of sitting by people. I don't want to be the creeper telling someone about my revelations.

6 comments:

Jules AF said...

I hated eating in the cougareat. Everyone was always there with someone else, and I was alone. It was sad.

Kristina P. said...

I didn't feel weird eating alone in college. A lot of people do. There are thousands of students at BYU. It's not like high school where everyone knows everyone.

Mars said...

HAHA wow that is some pretty deep stuff to tell a complete stranger. Was he super weird?!? I say, sit with random people, who cares. I love talking to random people, but just ask if they mind first if you sit there, it makes me less awkward. Usually you can get the vibe is someone is "busy" & doesn't want to chat, or is open to having a nice chat with a newly met stranger. Hmm I see the delima though. But I would totally rather sit by myself & have random people come sit with me. I say who cares, you'll prob never see them again anyway...just sith with them :)

Babzanne Barker said...

Wow--I don't know what to say--that was just really weird! I'm glad you were nice to that boy though, it sounds like he just really needed someone to talk to! :)

Kristalyn said...

Ahh...the good ol' Cougar Eat. I remember the same dilemas...those small tables are always open. I would always try to find someone that didn't look threatening to share a table with. Sometimes we both sat and just did our homework but sometimes I talked to them...I'm sure if you find a cute boy without a ring, he would be flattered to have you sit with him. :) That's kind of funny about that boy with the revelation....Freshman! :)

Diana said...

I can toally imagine your reactions through that whole conversation. I love your first thought, about thinking he had a revelation to ask you out! You are too funny. Keep the stories coming! I love reading them! I miss you!