Grandpa @ 40

It started out interesting. He answered my Craigslist ad. I asked if he wanted to meet at Starbucks for a coffee. He said he lived down by the airport. I said fine, let's meet at the Southcenter Starbucks.

He answered that he was a little scared, he hadn't dated in years, and wasn't sure what to do. I wrote back, well we go into the coffee shop, stand in line and order what we want to drink. Since it's a first date, we will each pay our own way. We get our drinks, sit down and talk a little while. If we have a good time and like each other, we arrange another date.

He answered, "No, I mean about kissing and sex."
I answered, that I was pretty sure that Starbucks frowned on having sex in their store, and depending on the location of the Starbucks, kissing was probably out also, especially in south Seattle.

So we met. I was anticipating a good time, because I thought our emails were witty and fun. He shows up and he's wearing a torn dirty tshirt and has greasy long hair. (Always ask for a picture). I guess you don't have to look your best for ME, but please take a shower.

We get our drinks and I start asking the usual questions: Where are you from? Seatac (who in the hell is really from Seatac?) He was raised in the trailer court just next to the building I work in. Well we have the Hood in common. He tells me, he got married when he was 15. He got the girl in the trailer next door pregnant. Supposedly, parents can sign their kids away at 15 and get them married off. So he has a couple kids. At 18 he joined the Navy. At 21 he gets discharged from the Navy because "he told - and someone asked." He got divorced, but is still friends with his wife.

His daughter got married at the ripe old age of 16, she's a slower learner than her parents.
So this guy with greasy hair and no personality who just turned 4o has grandkids. And he has pictures. We spent most of the next hour looking at kids. "Sweet cute kids" is what I say, of course I'm thinking just the opposite.

Am I snob? I did not come from a priviliged background. I'm from Spokane for gods sake. And the Hillyard neighborhood at that. I remember as a kid waiting in line for free government cheese. Is it something more than your net worth? I have friends that I hang out with that probably make less than he makes. I personally know people that have had a rougher life than this guy. What is it? After the date I examined the date. I realized that he wasn't witty on the email. I was witty. He was nothing. Is this a class thing ?

My opinions and my judgements on this guy have had me examinging my own values. I won't see the guy again, I just have nothing in common with him. But part of me can relate with him, It makes me scared. Do you have thoughts or opinions about class and different values? Have you ever experienced anything like this? The most important question I have: "Am I a snob?"

Next Blog - Halfway House Boy
Until Next Time - Wise OUT