Question about ME . . .

Ok, so those of you who know me -- do I put out a "please touch me" vibe?  (Get your mind out of the gutter.)  I guess the better way to say that is: do I put out a "please pat me on the shoulder/back as you walk by" vibe?

I mean, I know in my skinny/cute days I could flirt with the best of them, but I'm not flirty at all anymore.  I joke around with people a lot, but not in a flirty way.  I see no point in flirting, because I don't CARE if people like me or not.  I'm not unfriendly, but I'm really not going out of my way to impress and/or charm people.

But here's the thing: at work, whenever I've been helping people and then they walk by me -- other university employees, random visitors, vendors, contractors, anyone -- they feel the need to pat me on the shoulder.  Usually it's when they're leaving and I guess it's how they're telling me good-bye, but sometimes it's as they're walking by on the way to see [boss boss] and saying "thank you" for helping them.

I talked this over with [boss], and she said no one EVER does that to her.  She's floored that so many people do it to me.  She thinks maybe I should be offended.  She's 60 and Southern.  A VERY nice woman, but seems unapproachable if you don't know her.  And I think maybe that's what it is: I am VERY approachable.  I'm laid back and fairly non-judgmental and mostly friendly.  I think people feel comfortable with me, like a cousin you don't really know but hey you're family so a hug isn't out of the question (no, I don't hug the random people who come into the office.)  I always had guys in high school getting crushes on me.  Never the ones I wanted, of course, but the geeky, awkward, shy guys.  I was nice to them.  So they returned the favor by falling in love with me.  One even went around telling people we were dating!  (Andrea: three guesses who.)

Small children figure out pretty quickly that out of all the grown-ups in the room, I'm the one who will let them climb all over me.  I'm not sure how they just know this, but they do.  And that's fine -- they're usually more fun than the adults anyway.  But that puts me back to the vibe theory.

And the only reason I bring it up, is it happened like 3 times yesterday, twice with total strangers.  And it's just got me wondering.

Comments

[Kelly]

*I* think it's a GREAT thing that you get this. It says a lot of good things about you my dear!

[Andrea]

Jen, I find myself in very similar situations, even the stuff about the boys in high school, although it was usually the boys that had just gotten over the crush on you! ;o) Does that make me their sloppy seconds?! (Only kidding, I promise!!) The big thing that I have noticed is that people (sometimes complete strangers) seem to have a desire to protect me, like I'm the most innocent person they've ever met. Does that make sense? I realize it's a sweet gesture and all, but sometimes it can be kind of annoying!

[Husband]

I think its your particular brand of deoderant.