Got asked out by a guy who found me as we walked from 23rd back to MLK from bus number 48. He chatted me up the whole six blocks, introduced himself, shook my hand…he told me all about how he’s out here from Yakima, maintaining the flowers that line Lake Washington for work. He’s currently living in a boarding house behind the bus stop on 28th but he’s looking for other housing…long waiting list, though. I assumed he must be talking about assistant housing, and I remember vaguely reccommending the crappy apartment complex on our corner as possible Section 8 housing. As we strolled along, I wondered if maybe I would finally get some street cred walking with this tough looking guy down Cherry St. At some point I worried that he might follow me home, and if he did I decided I would feel confident telling him to beat it. However, when we reached 28th he said, “Listen, would you like to go out sometime?” And I said, lamely, “No, I’m married.” This always comes off sounding sort of arrogant in a way, but it really is the best defense. These types of guys usually have at least some respect for the sanctity marriage…more so than if you just have a boyfriend. Back in the old days I would say, “No, I have a boyfriend” (or back when I worked the restaurant circuit I would simply shrug and say, “novio”). This was sometimes met with a snort, and a “well, who cares, I don’t get jealous.” But, I still felt sort of bad letting this guy down, and I tried to cover it up by saying quickly, “but I’m flattered…have a nice afternoon.” I think it’s the summer that brings this out in people…that sort of need to connect with some random stranger walking down the street.