Turning down a coffee date !

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-21-2005
Turning down a coffee date !
3
Thu, 12-01-2005 - 3:46pm

Hi All

Not sure if I'm on the right board, but hoping for some advice.

Ok, I have this small problem. I work in an travel agency in a mall, and this man has taken a fancy to me and stops in every few days to say hi. He must be about 50, I'm 30 and he has a slight speech impediment, which is not a problem to me,although I don't understand what he is saying half the time. I don't mind him saying "Hi", its just that now he has finally plucked up the courage and asked me to have coffee with him sometime. I tried to put him off by saying I'm really busy.
I so don't want to hurt his feelings, but I also don't want to lead him on, even if he just wants to be friends.
It seems as if he has also done research on where I come from , Cape Town, which shows just how interested he is in me.

Just not sure what to do ?

Thanks to all for any advice given

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Thu, 12-01-2005 - 4:54pm

I used to work in a mall, and this kind of thing happened to me and my coworkers pretty often. It's easiest to just say that you're seeing someone and not available.

At a previous job when I was MUCH younger I also took to hiding in the back room when older admirers stopped by. If coworkers can cover for you, it might work to just disappear to the back room for a file.

He doesn't need to know any details about your life -- especially because you are there and just trying to do your job. It might be your job to be nice to him, in the interest of customer service, but it's not your job to go out with him.

AJ, enjoying life with C.

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 12-01-2005 - 7:23pm

How about, "Awww...that's nice.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-21-2005
Fri, 12-02-2005 - 9:21am

Hi

Thanks for that, I like that reply !!!

I think I'll just tell him that my boyfriend doesn't want me to have coffee with anyone.