Social Networking

First of all apologies for not posting lately and warm wishes for the New Year.

“By persistently remaining single a man converts himself into a permanent public temptation.” I guess this is equally applicable on women as well.

Facebook is a great platform to keep in touch with your old and new friends as well as ex-colleagues. But sometimes it becomes difficult to recall people by their name or by their miniscule profile picture. In such cases, you’re left with two options, either rely on your mutual friends or ask them shamelessly to refresh your memory. I choose both just to be on the safer side.

I did the same when I received that friend request. Looking at the huge list of common friends, I convinced myself that I must have met him briefly but failed to register in my memory. By the way, that happens with me all the time, I keep meeting new people and then conveniently forget them, only to be embarrassed on my subsequent encounter(s). To be honest, my brain considers almost everybody as ‘unimportant’ unless they stand up to tell me how vital their existence could be for my survival.

Anyhow, let’s go back to the topic at hand. He responded that he couldn’t specifically remember when he met me, but it must have been a long time ago. I gave him the benefit of doubt and allowed him to be a part of my friend list, deferring the further interrogation for a later time.

Only a couple of days had gone by when he dropped a message inquiring about my workplace.  The message fell on deaf ears. A few days later, he initiated a chat on FB. Here is how it went:

He: Hi, How are you?

I find this question a little stupid. Just by asking this question, you do not become civil and you do not get the right to ask questions about my personal life. Besides, if you’re a stranger to me, I would never tell you if I am not keeping well. Even if I do, will you really be bothered? On the contrary, if you’re a close friend, you wouldn’t need to ask this question because I will tell you myself if I am not keeping well.

Me: Surviving and you?

He: I am good. Where do you work?

Me: I still don’t recall meeting you. When did you work at xyz organization?

He: From 20xx through 20yy.

Me:  Oh! I had not even joined in 20yy. Clearly, I’ve never met you.

He: It’s alright. We can know each other now. Where do you work?

Me: I heard once, “Repeating something twice doesn’t mean it will be heard. It merely reeks of desperation.”

He: Oops!!

Me: It feels I am being interviewed. Is it so important for you to know where I work?

He: No, you’re not being interviewed. Let me know ask you more important question then.

Me: ??

He: Are you single?

Me: Excuse me! I thought it was a social networking site.

He: Just asking out of curiosity.

And I thought asking about the marital status was a personal question.

Me: Nope, married with two kids.

He: Wow! You don’t look like.

Me: Yep, looks are deceptive. I belong to the remote areas of Rajasthan so they got me married when I was five. I hope all your questions have been answered. Do you mind if I take your leave now?

He: Just one more.

Me: Shoot.

He: Who is the father to the kids if I may ask?

Me: That’s a sad story. He left me when I was 10. So, I am still searching for the ‘right’ father.

He: I could understand if it was only one kid. You have two, and you’re still looking for a father? By the way, I am good with kids.

Me: O yea! Go find kids for yourself then. Why chatting with me. Let me go find the father.