Post: #1

I titled this "a missed opportunity" for obvious reasons that will become apparent.

I'm going to break down the interaction I had with points marked with "*".

Yesterday I decided to go up to a strip mall to look for some new clothes and inquire about a job. After a bit of going from place to place I decided to go in to a Nautica store. When I opened the door I saw two women talking at the register; a tall (~5'9''), early 20's Latina and a short stocky early to mid 30's Asian woman, both employees. When they saw me enter, the Latina came over* and told me about the deals the store was having. After she was done I walked off and started browsing the store.

I eventually made my way to the back corner of the store where I was checking out some jeans. The Latina showed up and started stocking the shelves behind me. Not long after that, out of nowhere, she asked me what size I was. I told her and she fruitlessly helped me look for a little bit before volunteering to go search for my size in the storeroom. Right as she was leaving towards the storeroom the Asian co-worker/superior? asked her to go answer the phone ringing behind the register. After that she went into the storeroom for a while before returning with a pair of jeans.** She asked if I'd like to try them on but told me that I probably wouldn't like the fit. She then led me to the dressing rooms and unlocked one of the doors. When I was done I smiled at her and told her she was right about me not liking them.

Later on in the same part of the store I was crouched looking at some low hanging shirts. From over my shoulder I heard, "hey, did you go to ____ high school?.......I think we rode the same bus." I then recognized who she was***. We began to chat a little; and then, because I saw an opportunity to complete one of the objectives I went up there for, I asked her whether the store was hiring and she told me that they were. After she told me where I could apply I thanked her, went back to browsing and then left the store.


*- First off, when I came into the store she stopped mid conversation with her coworker. When this chick came over I paid special attention to her body language. She was standing unnecessarily close to me for the information she was trying to convey. The distance we were from each other is what I would consider personal space. I made sure to maintain eye contact as she glanced around the store instead of reflexively following her gaze.

**- When her coworker asked her to go answer the phone you should have seen the expression on her face. It reminded me of when I play fetch with a dog and will sometimes feign throwing the ball. At first the dog will begin to bolt in the direction it thought I threw it before repeatedly looking back at me and then back at where I was going to throw it, not sure which direction to go. Well this is what she did in the store. She was briefly torn between helping me and listening to her coworker. I thought it strange that she didn't just ask me to "hold on" or "give her a sec" and then go answer the phone. I found that pretty cute.

***- So, she recognized me from when we used to ride the bus together. The really interesting part is that I graduated the same year she starting riding, which was her freshman year. I never said a word to her, never interacted with her at all and that was FOUR YEARS AGO. Now, perhaps I'm projecting, but I see people I went to school with occasionally. They're usually from my graduating class though, not three years after. I recognize them sure, but I never want to talk to them and definitely don't start unnecessary conversations. To be blunt, I just don't care. That is why I see her question as a convenient conversation starter instead of simple curiosity.

Now, what I'd like to know are suggestions as to what my next course of action should be. Should I make the effort gaming this one when she was obviously interested? Or, should I move on since I didn't take the first shot?

Post: #2

Go for it. If you like her, there's a good chance she's into you.