Prior to a weeknight shopping trip to Hannaford to get stuff for dinner, I was under the impression that the only time people got picked up in supermarkets were in episodes of “Full House.” Yet as I compared two types of quinoa in the Nature’s Place section, I noticed a rather attractive man in his early 30’s continually glancing at me.
“How cute” I thought, “he’s staring at me. Oh god, do I have spinach leaves from my salad in my teeth?!” Flirting in a supermarket is apparently not one of my fortes.
“Do you cook with that a lot.” His voice is adorable, he’s a got a slight accent that tells me he’s “from away.”
“A few times, I was trying to figure out which one was easier. I’m gonna use it in a stir fry.” I know, I’m a smoothie.
We discussed the quinoa a few more minutes, he decided on the same blue box I had been contemplating, and he was on his way. Figures, I think some guy is trying to hit on me and in reality he just wants to use me for my vast cooking knowledge. Ha! I fooled him…I burn toast!
I continued through the next two aisles trying to figure out what I should have done to be more aggressive. In matters of flirting and dating, it’s a pretty proven fact that I’m not by any means a pro. A sports lover at heart, you’d think I’d be more ept at any sort of game. Unfortunately, I’m seriously out of my element in this ballpark. I mean really, who gets picked up in a supermarket?!
On the third aisle (pastas and sauces for those of you keeping track) as I pushed my little silver and blue cart I looked up to see the boy again. I smiled and managed to trip on the wheel of the cart. As I mentioned, I’m a smoothie.
He chuckled (always a good sign when the guy you are attempting to flirt with laughs at you, right?) and asked if I was ok. I tried to figure out a good way to explain that the only thing broken was my pride…chipped away piece by piece every time I seemed to run into him. I had no time though cause he turned and continued pushing his cart. He’s probably hurrying home to see his girlfriend.
Two aisles later (crackers and cookies I believe) we ran into each other again. This time literally. I crashed the front of my metal cart right into him as I looked for Wheat Thins. Fortunately I was only going at a leisurely aisle browsing speed.
After confirming that he was ok we laughed a little and he said “Well, we keep running into each other…quite literally this last time. Are you shopping through the whole store, I think it’s safer to shop with you instead of against you.” He really did have a cute smile.
We managed to make it all the way to frozen delights, yogurts and cheeses virtually unscathed and chatting the whole way. After checking out we walked to our cars. “This was actually kinda fun, we should do it again sometime,” he said as I pushed my clicker to unlock the hatch on my Jeep.
“Yeah, I’m here most Tuesdays doing grocery shopping, maybe we’ll meet up again.” Oh my gosh, if I ran into him again that would be awesome. I’m so darn good, I’ll let him know when to see me again. Making myself available. Who says I’m not good at this girl thing?
“Haha, yes, we could meet up next Tuesday. OR you could give me your number and I can call you and we can actually plan to meet up. Maybe even going somewhere not a grocery store, though I do love this place.” He pulled out his iPhone to take my number, which I gave to him in a rather astonished daze. Did this really just happen…did I just give my number to a guy in a grocery store parking lot?!
What does this have to do with real life application? Well, first off, I wanted to make sure that if any of you ladies is faced with such a similar situation in a supermarket you will be much cooler than I was. But more importantly I wanted to relay an even more important lesson I learned.
I went out with this Supermarket Cutie on Saturday night, and finally had to ask “So, I tripped on a shopping cart, hit you with one and basically was a bumbling, albeit adorable, idiot in the store. What on Earth made you ask for my number, let alone call me?”
“You were adorable. I just didn’t think you were interested,” was his response.
So the lesson to be learned…be confident in who you are, even if you are a sort of clutzy and socially awkward fool. You never know who might like that sort of thing. Oh, and I learned I really like guys I pick up in the natural food section of the supermarket.
This post was Date-Tested, Supermarket Cutie approved. 🙂
That's so cute! You can't be that bad at flirting because you got a date out of it!
Wow, when you said you were going to write this I had no idea what it would feel like to be featured “up in lights” on your blog. I may now ask that you refer to me as Supermarket Cutie in all future dealings, FYI. 🙂
And you are right, just keep being yourself, it really was adorable I assure everyone.
Erin – You are too kind! If you had seen me it would have been like one of those movie scenes where you pull for the heroine but she's totally making a fool of herself. I think I was pretty lucky to be flirting with a guy who saw through that.
Matt – YOU are too kind, too. I'm glad you are good with the write up and being up in lights. I will most likely not refer to you as Supermarket Cutie in all future dealings, FYI. 🙂
Elisa, I love this story. Thanks so much for sharing it. I was grinning the whole time (not only because I love Hannaford's;) but also because although you may have thought you were think you might have felt awkward, it was still you AND you went on a date with someone you literally ran into at the grocery store.
My mom always tells me, you can meet a man anywhere. One of her girlfriends met her now husband at the grocery store. I laugh because I can never imagine it happening to me, but sometimes it just works out.
I also worry that even if I'm SO interested in someone, sometimes I don't want to come off as too into them, so they may see I didn't seem interested. I appreciate that Supermarket Cutie was assertive. I may not have asked for his number, even though I would be telling myself in my head "just ask, Grace, just ask, what's the worst that could happen!?"
Good story, good lesson and best of luck with Supermarket Cutie 🙂
I love this story, and I'm happy that it turned out so well for you! I've actually been reading a pretty interesting book about the whole confidence thing. It wisely advises that we stop comparing ourselves to others and dissing ourselves, and love ourselves for who we are because then other people will too. Thanks for sharing, and I second Grace's "good luck" wishes!
You go girl!! I loved your write-up – had a huge smile on my face the whole time I was reading. I am with you on cooking – "cooking" to me involves a microwave or toaster, and that's really going out of my way. Much more of a sports buff too!
Supermarket Cutie sounds like a great guy – I love that he asked you out. I once met a guy at a gas station when I told him he left the gas tank cover open. He got out of his car, closed it, then backed up and asked me for my number!
Those random meetings make the best stories – even if it doesn't turn into anything long-term. Have fun seeing where it goes with this one!
PS – I see that Matt (he has a name!) replied to this…that is even more awesome. Matt – I give you 1,000 man points for this whole story!! And for not being scared away by a blog post…I always worry about that on my own site, so kudos to you for joining in the fun 😀
Elisa: This *is* such a cute story! And the best stories, the ones worth remembering, are the ones that are completely unexpected and inexplicable. And what a great lesson as well — be confident in who you are as long as you're being you — you never quite know who you're going to attract. Love it! So happy for you!! 🙂
Elisa one word wow, that is such a sweet story. Really made me smile, made my bad night after work a little better. You have given me a little more hope that you can met someone in the most random of places 🙂
So happy you got a good date out of it.
-x-
Grace – That's definitely a problem I have, a lot. I'm not in the least bit aggressive, I don't think I've ever even thought about giving a guy my number. As evidenced by the story, I'm not exactly great at interpreting signals. 😛
Sam – That sounds like a great book, what's the title? It is a difficult task but one that we should all strive for…being happy for who we are.
Jenny B – Ha! Yes, he is a brave guy to not only agree to it (I always check those things first) but also to comment. That's so cool about the gas station. I knew you were a cosmopolitan girl straight from the movies!
Susan – Thanks! It was a fun time, and you are very right. The best stories are the ones that grab you from out of no where, that warm your heart but aren't conventional. Other than Danny Tanner there aren't too many people picking up dates in real life.
LisaMarie – Aw, thanks! I'm glad the story was able to make your night. I hate days like that, it's always nice to have a release.
So I just got around to reading this, and it makes my heart so happy! Regardless of how this all turns out, what an AWESOME story to have, right?