As I’ve mentioned here and here, there’s convincing evidence that I’m a sociopath. But a few days ago, an unsettling thought bobbed to the scummy surface of the cesspit that is my mind: Maybe I’m also a creepy stalker.
I mean, really, what’s the difference between a close friend and a stalker?
Close friends know your likes and dislikes, have a pretty good idea of your schedules and habits, call you frequently, and show up regularly to spend time with you.
So do creepy stalkers.
The more I think about it, the more I wonder. Social skills aren’t really my best thing. I fake them well enough for short periods, but then I scuttle back to my hidey-hole and hunker down behind my computer to converse with (at best) people I know only through a few typed words on my screen and (at worst) imaginary characters in my books.
I do this for days and weeks on end. I go out to the pub once a week for a beer and some conversation with real human beings, but that’s about it. If I wasn’t married, I’d probably go for days without human interaction, so it’s not like I’m really socially aware.
How many times can I call somebody before I’m officially being creepy? If they don’t call back, does it mean they’re just busy or forgetful? Or does it mean they’re screening their calls and thinking, “Oh, God, it’s Diane again. She’s so creepy. I’m going to pretend I’m dead.”
Problem is, most people are too polite to tell me to buzz off. I tend to take people at face value and I’m disinclined to obsess over the emotional temperature of everyone I meet, so I don’t really know whether they’re genuinely glad to see me or if they give a whole-body shudder and take six showers after I leave.
I think it’s probably a good sign if they return my calls, unless they’re calling to decline my last ten invitations and tell me they’re going to be busy until the year 2045. But that only happened with the last three people I called, so it’s not really statistically significant, right?
Maybe the restraining order is a clue, though. More analysis is required.
Last week I was at an all-you-can-eat restaurant where each table had a little cylinder that was green on one end and red on the other. As long as you wanted more, you left the green end up, and they kept bringing food. Red-end-up stopped the whole thing.
That’s what I need: a signalling system. Green means “it’s all good”, yellow means “you’re starting to creep me out”, and red means “stay away from me, you nutball freak”.
That system probably wouldn’t catch on, though. It seems most people actually prefer a little ambiguity in their relationships.
I guess the upside of all this is that sociopaths generally disregard the feelings of others. Maybe this isn’t such a burning question for me after all.
So… wanna go for a beer tonight?
How about tomorrow?
Friday’s good for me, too…
Author Diane Henders 
hahahah! you’re funny!!! tell me..would sending a text message to a person and then following it up with a call before a minutes has passed since said message was sent..and gaily telling said person “Oh I just sent you a message but thought I’d call as well” be considered stalkerish??
LikeLike
Not in my world. In my world, that’s being “thorough”. Ummm… were you standing outside their house at the time? With binoculars?
LikeLike
No….but only because I’m a lazy bum…I’m a unique type of stalker..hahahaha
LikeLike
Restraining orders? i don’t need no stinkin’ restraining orders. Let’s have a beer!
LikeLike
Right on! I’m pretty sure restraining orders are like posted speed limits: more of a suggestion than an actual law…
LikeLike
I don’t know. This could go the way of Elaine’s name tag idea on Seinfeld. Remember when she said it would be great if everyone in New York wore a name tag, and then her politician boyfriend took up the cause and got humiliated?
What was I saying? Did you say beer? I’m in.
LikeLike
Beer. Definitely beer. Now we just need to pick a bar we can all get to in less than a day’s travel. The tricky part will be getting a cab ride home afterward…
LikeLike
This is why hotel bars are ideal.
LikeLike
Oh, good thinking!
LikeLike
Good laugh, Diane.
Now, if you tell me you have a dozen copies of Catcher In The Rye I’m going to start worrying. On a positive note, I’ve found beer helps a lot. My twitch stops at about five pints. Sadly, my brain stops at one…
Cheers!
LikeLike
…but it’s okay if I only have eleven copies, right? …Right…?
And, Nigel, I’m sure your agile brain never stops. I bet after five pints, you come up with some truly creative ideas. 🙂
LikeLike
LOL. After five pints there’s no end to my creativity. Well, at least until the morning when I seem to have forgotten all those brilliant schemes…
LikeLike
You are too funny, Diane. I like the idea of those colored signs. That could solve a lot of problems of miscommunication? Also, it would help identify the actual creepy stalkers since they probably wouldn’t pay attention to the signs. Also, I would totally hang with you at the pub. But it will take me a while to get there, so give me a few hours’ head start.
LikeLike
Looking forward to your arrival! I’ll just have a cold beverage or two while I wait…
LikeLike
Have you been following me, Diane? You sound exactly like me here…! I’m not at all creepy though, and I don’t go out for beers anymore, but think that signal idea is marvelous. If ever I’m over your way, I’ll call round for a cup of tea and we can discuss it further! 😉
LikeLike
Of course I’ve been following you. Isn’t that what creepy stalkers… um, I mean, friends… do? 🙂
Tea it is! I love a good cuppa.
LikeLike
A restraining order is a definite red flag, anything short of that is open to interpretation.
LikeLike
Good, that’s what I thought, too. Maybe I’m getting the hang of this social stuff…
LikeLike
You’re probably okay. Creepy people are generally unaware of their creepiness. Besides, who wouldn’t want to have a beer with you. (But I’ll keep my red cylinder handy just in case.)
LikeLike
Thanks! 🙂 And it’s a deal – keep the red cylinder handy, and then we can all relax.
LikeLike
I think you’re onto something. That signalling system makes good sense for those who aren’t as good at reading cues and body language. Of course, a look of horror when someone approaches might work, too…
LikeLike
Horror… Is that the one where their face scrunches up and they start glancing around wildly and backing away stammering excuses? I always thought that meant they just really had to go to the bathroom…
LikeLike
Oh, you’re right. That could get confusing. Maybe they’ll have to give us the finger, too.
LikeLike
LOL! Okay, that works for me. 🙂
LikeLike
Ha! I’d go for a beer with you anytime, were it not for that inconvenient living in different countries thing. 😉
LikeLike
Thanks – the feeling is mutual! Yeah, and we’re at opposite sides of the continent, too. Might be a bit of a commute for a Friday-night beer.
LikeLike