Or, as my friend calls it, the human equivalent of cocking their legs on your car.
Today’s example:
Jim: Happily married, slightly older than me, no hint of flirting between us, we don’t socialise, but I’ve known him professionally for years. Enter Mark: Similar age, generally known for being a bit weird, I bump into him occasionally when seeing Jim at work, but I don’t think they’re friends. Mark is very involved in the arty community, and has started handing me leaflets and suggesting I go to events and concerts. Not actually inviting me to go with him (which would send me running quite fast in the opposite direction), but he’ll come over and say hello if he sees me at an event. I’m not getting date-vibes from him at all, I suspect he does this to everyone.
The amusing thing is Jim’s reaction. As soon as Mark appears, Jim’s casual, relaxed “yeah, whatever, see you next week” attitude morphs into over-friendly chattiness, barely giving me a chance to reply to Mark, ignoring him and immediately steering the conversation away.
I don’t know if Jim is on some sort of rescue mission, gallantly protecting me from Mark’s advances. Whatever it is, it’s amusing to watch, but also a little uncomfortable because I’m stuck in the middle. It’s like watching two dogs fight over a bone that neither really wants, but neither wants the other to have it.
