Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge photo from Air Canada
Airport lounges are a great place to network as you meet lots of business travelers. However, I certainly wasn’t interested in THIS type of networking!! A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting in the Air Canada lounge in the Toronto airport waiting for my flight home to Montreal. As I sat down, an older gentleman sitting across from me started talking to me. He seemed to be a nice guy, so we had the regular small talk of: Where are you going? What do you do? etc. He told me that he worked for a large oil and gas firm. Sure enough, always keeping my eyes out for a sale/contact, I asked if his firm used SAP. They did!
We spoke a bit more and as usual, my trip to Sri Lanka came up. It’s usually the direct comparison I offer between doing meaningful work and corporate work. Anyhow, we exchanged business cards and I mentioned that if they ever needed SAP work, that’s what we do, so to keep in touch!
Exactly a week later, I received the following email from said gentleman:
[my thoughts as I read the email]
Hi Ian
I just wanted to tell you that it was very nice meeting you in the Maple Leaf Lounge at Air Canada in Toronto last week.
[Cool, it was nice meeting him as well! Nice guy...]
You were very charming and interesting.
["Charming"? ...Strange coming from a guy, but...alright?]
Your stories on rebuilding the Church was heartwarming.
["Heartwarming"? I guess?]
I was wondering if you had any pictures of yourself to send me.
[WTF!?!!?? Why?!!? Maybe he forgot what I looked like?]
I would luv to invite you down to my home in Barbados, West Indies for a vacation if you wish.
[WTF!?!!?? Awwww…HELLLL NAWWW! NO way...]
Please keep in touch
[Yeeeeaaah, probably not...did I come across as being gay? I wasn't wearing my pink shirt?]
I was so stunned by the email, that, while still looking at my screen, I tapped my colleague on the shoulder, pointed at my screen and said: “Read that!! Is it just me or does that sound gay!?!”
Some funny comments from my friends:
“…so? Did you send him pictures?”
“Yeah, using the word ‘luv’ is about as telling as a rainbow tattoo on the small of your back…”
I was going to title this post “Do I Look Gay?” but I realized that would have killed the punchline. Is there any remote chance I’ve misconstrued this and he was just trying to be friendly?? Before you ask, no I did not email him back…I’ll probably just leave it at that.
He sounds interested, there’s no denying that. I don’t think you come across as gay, then again I’ve only met you once:P
Perhaps it would be nice of you to reply him and politely indicate to him that you’re not interested? He doesn’t sound pushy or asshole-ish in his email so I think it would be the mature thing to do :)
Poor little Mr. S… Now besides the hoards of women haggling for your time, you’re going to have to start fending off your male entourage too. Who knew you were so fabulous?
His email definitely sounds weird, but maybe he’s just one of those older men who misses his son (or never had one) and doesn’t realize how strange his invitation is. Remember a certain HS teacher without daughters who made all the girls feel really uncomfortable when he meant well?
Dude, that’s hilarious. The question is “how far are you willing to go to get the sale ;) ” lol
hahahahhaha…. maybe you just have ‘that’ look…. hahahahahah Very amusing…
hahahahhaha…. maybe you just have ‘that’ look…. hahahahahah Very amusing…
Darwin – No, I’m pretty certain I don’t come across as gay…
No, he doesn’t sound like a bad guy, but I think I’ll leave it be and if he emails again (doubt it) then I’ll let him know that my interest was strictly professional and that I’m not gay!!
Cyara – “…hoards of women…” HA! I wish!! And “fabulous” is a terrible word to describe me given the situation!! Think of Ali G’s Bruno character! ha ha
You might be right about the other possibilities, however, I feel there’s a certain line that’s been crossed! If we’re thinking about the same HS teacher, I’m pretty certain he didn’t mean well…although I’m sure that was v. convenient for the ladies getting good marks!! :P
Kevin – DEFINITELY not going that far! I have my limits when it comes to taking one for the team!!!
T – Perhaps, perhaps… :P I’ll keep everyone posted should this type of thing happen again.
Hey!!! Hope you’re doing well… HaHa! This si just so funny! By the way, you are not looking gay at all (if that can help you fell better) :P
Thank you, that makes me feel much better! ;)
Wait a second….
you’re NOT gay?
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAshutup. :P
HAHAHAHA that’s a great story. Two words: Sugar. Daddy. and in response to your first comment, I think you’d be taking one for the other team
Anon @ 20:00 – I DEFINITELY won’t be taking one for the other team! ha ha
Ian, this is a step further from the candle light dinner ;) But I stil dont think that you should stop wearing the pink shirt :) Huggy //Selma
Selma – HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA I had forgotten about the candle light dinner!!! LOL
No worries, I like my pink shirt(s) so I won’t stop wearing them!! :)
Oh Ian…your stories crack me up!!! You definitely don’t come across as being gay and your pink shirt rocks!!!! :P
Queenie – I’m glad you liked the story! Thanks about the pink shirt!! :)
[...] Age Difference Senior Citizens pic from Prairie County, Montana Since I insist on sharing funny/strange emails I receive with you guys, I couldn’t resist sharing this one. As always, names have been removed to [...]