A very awkward conversation at work today.

I was talking to a few of the women and one just came straight out and asked it.

“Pete, why are you single? … What’s wrong with you?”

(“Jesus,” I thought … “Where do I start?”)

I had recently been to a social function with what were soon to be my work colleagues before I’d even started with the organisation. I’d been invited along and I thought it would be a good occasion to meet them and chat in an out-of-work-environment.

During the function I had mentioned I was divorced but no further “hard” questions had come after that.

But it seems I had had only a temporary reprieve!

Now in the office it seems like my female colleagues had come back with reinforcements.

I managed to artfully and skilfully deflect the question regarding my relationship status by saying … “Dunno”.

But they wouldn’t leave it at that. 🙄

Soon a barrage of questions came regarding my physical appearance (good) … my intellect (adequate) … and my lack of using moisturiser (what the …? 🤷)

It was as if they had grabbed my head and skull-f%$^ed me until I was a blithering mess.

I finally managed to escape by saying I had to prepare for a non-existent meeting.

But I know they’ll corner me again.

It’s one of life’s fascinations that women, everywhere, feel the need to know everything about everyone they meet.

Then with their newly-acquired intelligence about that person, they pair-up with an equally inquisitive female friend and rendezvous at headquarters (ie. the ladies’ bathroom) to debrief.

A man, on the other hand, can happily engage in a life-long friendship with another man, with only 17 words having ever passed between them in that time.

My new work environment is dominated by female colleagues, in a ratio of 7 females and 3 males … which I’m guessing is going to make for some pretty interesting conversations in future.

But given one of my Four Pillars is to meet people and build social connections again, this might actually be what I need.

I just have to prepare some stock-standard answers for when I’m ambushed at work again! 😄