#but also like c’mon man. we are in doctor who. you simply cannot expect that you will get all of the answers for something in one episode

[archduke-enver-gortash]

got a post on my dash that was like only annoying nerds will like 73 yards. well. as an annoying nerd supreme.

[serialfirstdater]

The U.K. Hater

Guy #20

So I accidentally skipped Guy #20 in my last post and jumped into Guy #21. Somehow my eyes glazed over his name on the list LOL. 

Between CECP, the Neuroscience Guy, and the U.K. Hater, I thought I was going to get along with the U.K. Hater the most (before I found out he hated the U.K. of course). We had a decent conversation online and he seemed like a decent fella. He was a Risk Underwriter and lived downtown. Anyone who lived downtown was a bonus for me.

Originally he suggested to meet at a restaurant that was at the very end of the subway line beside where he lived. I was going to volunteer for my yoga shift on the day of our date that was just north of him, but I actually live quite far up north. I asked if we could go somewhere more north because I didn’t want to go south and back up north again. He suggested an izakaya right beside my yoga studio. Now, I don’t go into dates expecting guys will pay for my meals. Izakayas are expensive and I was not down to potential spend $30 on a meal with a stranger. I countered with a new Taiwanese restaurant further up north. It was no more than maybe a 15-20 minute subway ride from where he lived. Which I thought was fair, because it would take me over an hour to get home from where the restaurant is. He agreed.

The day of our date, I arrived to the restaurant shortly after he did. “Did you wait long?” I asked, as I settled myself down into the seat across from him. 

“Oh, it took a long time to get here,” he exasperatedly replied.

“Oh, how long did it take? Did you take the subway?” I asked quizzically. From his place to the restaurant, it really shouldn’t have taken him more than 20 minutes. I knew the city on the back of my hand and I had a general idea of how long it took to get from one place to another.

“No, no, I drove here. I took me about 10 minutes in traffic.” Cue the crickets that went off in my head. For those who are unfamiliar, I am a commuter. Ever since my university days, I commuted downtown for school about an hour and a half each way (3 hours spent in commute on average per day). Nowadays, it is a lot less but it’s still under an hour commute to downtown regardless. So, I was not really sympathizing with the fact that 10 minutes was considered “long” for the U.K. Hater

I decided to keep that info tucked in the back of my mind for now. He mentioned how he would go to the U.K. once a year for work for their London office. 

“Oh my gosh, that’s amazing! What’s your favourite thing about the U.K.??” I asked excitedly.

“I hate the U.K.” He said flatly. Cue the crickets again. Another tidbit about me: I have a soft spot for the U.K. I went through a BBC phase where I watched a bunch of British shows religiously. Shows including: Sherlock, Bedlam, Crazyhead, Doctor Who, Chewing Gum, and more. I adore the British/Scottish/Irish accents and full appreciation for their cultures. I considered moving to the U.K. sometime last year or the year before when I had a quarter-life crisis. It didn’t end up happening because I realized I couldn’t afford it. So, I felt a little attacked when he said he hated the U.K. 

“Do you mean, the entirety of the U.K.? Or like, London only?” I inquired. Cause surely, one cannot hate all of the U.K. It’s made up of 4 frikkin’ countries (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). 

“All of the U.K. London, Edinburgh...” He started listing off the cities that he didn’t like. I was baffled. I asked why. “I don’t like the people.” He said plainly. Were they rude? “They didn’t get the jokes.” Like duh, different culture, different humour... I thought to myself. 

I then told him I was considering moving abroad last year. He was like, “Oh yeah? Whereabouts?” “The U.K...” Cue the crickets in his head. 

We continued to talk about travelling. I learned that he hated being on long-hauled flights. Hence, he didn’t like to travel because it was far and inconvenient (y’all noticing a pattern here?). I asked him if there was any place he liked to travel to then. The States, he exclaimed! Hm, not a country that people are normally excited for, but to each and their own. 

So I inquired, “Which is your favourite state?” 

“New York.”

“Oooh, I never been to New York City! I hope to go one day!”

No, no, no. “I meant New York, the state.” 

Oh, well this was something I’ve never heard before. I wanted to know what else he liked about New York. 

“I like cities like Buffalo and Rochester...” He started listing off. I questioned what was so exciting about those cities, because I’ve been to Buffalo and there was not much to look forward to.

He told me they were up and coming cities. Cue more crickets in my head (those crickets sure keep making an appearance). I didn’t know in which universe he thought Buffalo and Rochester were up and coming, but alright. 

I also learned that he haven’t taken public transit in 5 years. He thought it was stuffy, didn’t like being surrounded by smelly people, and it was simply a hassle. The neighbourhood we were in at the Taiwanese restaurant, he also exclaimed was too far for him (reminder: 10 minutes by car, 20 minutes by transit). The man was in his own bubble of comfort and convenience. Anything outside of that, he would not tolerate. 

We eventually wrapped up dinner. He was nice enough to cover the bill. Just as we were exiting the shop, he said he was probably going to expense the parking to his company’s account. Let’s say I wasn’t too impressed. I get that sometimes people do that, but c’mon, don’t tell me dude!

An hour later, he asked if I made it home okay. I told him I was still stuck on the subway... Needless to say, we didn’t speak again.