Adventures of a 1337 Snob
In case you didn’t know, I’m a self-proclaimed elite cu– bi– *insert unflattering adjective of choice*: often times, just for the sake of proving that I can be a snob. If you think that I’m nicer in “real life”… you are partially right 
It is not a particularly bright idea to exhibit questionable behavior with one’s work colleagues/clients. Other than that: anything goes. 
Normally, if a man1 approaches me after dark to ask something, I don’t even think twice about giving him the most disgusted look I can muster. I also give him a wide berth while doing so2. I know that he might just want to ask for the time, or direction to the hospital, but it’s dark, and as such I automatically get ten times as rude as normal.
Another thing I dislike, is the tendency of any given Romanian to automatically act nicer if asked something by a foreigner: extra nice if said foreigner speaks in English3.
And yet…
It’s about 6:30pm, and I just exited my work place4. Despite it not being very late, it’s rather dark outside but for the street lights.
Three guys are coming from the opposite direction, one of them holding a beer bottle and exhibiting some questionable balancing abilities. As per usual, I quicken my pace to avoid him, but then I hear him ask me something which sounds suspiciously like ‘… English?’. So I stop and turn to face him5.
Guy1: Do you speak English?
Me: Yes.
Guy1: Do you know where we can get a massage around here?
Me (ignoring her slight bad feeling): Um… I don’t think there is anything like what you’re looking for, here.
Guy2 (mumbles something): … make some extra cash?
Me (deadpan): You must be joking … And please don’t insult me6 .
In conclusion: guys, after dark, don’t ask for directions. Even if7 they’re foreigners. 
On the bright side: now people know that there is at least ONE Romanian girl whose morals are not (always) of the questionable type.
P.S. This entry was brought to you by a 40-minute mental ramble fest on my way back home. Yes, this is important information. 
P.P.S. And because Rose has a point: How would YOU have acted in my place?
- who is not my friend or a member of my family, obviously [↩]
- Yes, double dose of snobbery [↩]
- high chance of him/her being American [↩]
- a large corporate style building, situated on semi-busy but well-lit street [↩]
- Yeah, you can kill me now [↩]
- Does this sound as cringe-worthy to you as it does to me?
[↩] - or perhaps especially [↩]
gem
November 4th, 2010
I avoid people in public in general, not just after dark. But if people straight up ask me a question, I will respond, just in the interest of politeness. I was once waiting for a sandwich to be made at the local deli and had to have a ridiculous conversation with a man way older than me about why I was single. (Why on earth should he care? Also, why on earth did I admit that I was single to him, but I’ve since learned that “yes, I have a boyfriend” to anyone who decides that’s a good question to ask…) I think you acted perfectly legitimately. You were polite until they crossed a line and then you told them so, good for you!
Vera: see, the beer bottle and his precarious ballance should have tipped me off. But then, because he asked in English
Stephanie
November 4th, 2010
You’re better than me. I would have kicked them silly and then left. Thankfully, things like that aren’t very commonplace in America, either that or I don’t hear about them. Ironically, the one rule for girls walking around at night is to always have a guy, whether it be a relative, friend, or significant other, with you so nobody tries to mug you.
Vera: I don’t generally walk alone late, or if I have no choice, I just take a cab. But this was not so late, if it had been summer time, it would have been sunny even. :\
Rose
November 4th, 2010
Well don’t I just feel like a big fat jerk
Fortunately my mom and I share the same IP address so it could have been her…
And also sometimes I look at websites on my cellphone or from school (like now!) ha!
As for how I would have reacted – probably the same, although I might laugh it off rather than be upset about it
I’d say they were harmless drunk morons 
Vera: Heh, so guilt-tripping does work on you *makes notes*.
I am actually more upset about my lack of… being upset. I feel like I should have felt more insulted.
Georgina
November 5th, 2010
I actually wouldn’t have turned around to look at him. I’m not gonna kill you though. 6:30 is a reasonable time to be out! But I don’t give anyone my attention unless they are really obvious about it, like they tap me on the shoulder.
Whereas… my friend… who is a guy – very polite, approachable (no joke), well-mannered and friendly – actually goes up to people who look lost and asks them if he can help. Man, I’d never do that. Not because I’m scared, but I don’t feel like giving them my time.
Online people see me as a nice person (or so I’d like to think
) who gets really freakin’ moody and gets super bitchy when she wants to get her point across. In public though, I am not nasty to anyone unless they stare at me. I seem to get stares a lot, and I hate it with a passion.
Vera: not to worry, I made up for it today, by glaring at anyone whom I encountered on my way back.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
November 8th, 2010
That is just bizarre. This is why I don’t go out late at night on my own unless I have to. I tend to keep on guard, look around walk fast and look people right in the eye/face so they don’t think I’m timid or an easy mark
Vera: I normally do that too, but when it comes to people talking to me in English (as I don’t live in an English-speaking country)… I’m embarrassingly eager to answer