Hello, Stranger

I know the age old saying that you should never talk to strangers can be very true, but in New York it is pretty much impossible to adhere to that rule. Apparently I am a magnet for some interesting "strangers" in New York City. I will share a couple stories from the past few weeks...

Story #1: Date at the Grocery store

Scene: cold food section-milk aisle looking at expiration dates 

Characters: Strange old man, Ashley

Strange old man:"Hey pretty lady. How do you keep yourself looking so fine?"

Ashley: speechless

Strange old man:"How about a date sometime?"

Ashley:"Well, I'm married."

Story#2: Do I know you?

Scene: Bailey and Ashley walking to meet Ben for lunch at the Shake Shack. Momentarily stopped at a street corner waiting for the walk signal.

Characters:Bailey, Ashley, man with guitar on his back

Man with guitar on his back: begins waving at Ashley on the street. "Hi, how are you? I've missed you."

Ashley: extremely confused. has he mistaken me for someone else or is he delusional? "Oh, I've been in Texas."

Man with guitar on his back: "Ok, I've been out playing today. My uncle taught me everything I know."

Ashley: still confused, trying not to laugh. "Wow. That is great. It must be nice to have a mentor in the family." 

Man with guitar on his back:"Yeah, he told me there are highs and lows with music."

Ashley: looking around for Ben hoping he is close by. "Yes, I hear the entertainment industry is tough." 

Man with guitar on his back: "Ok, well, I will see you tomorrow."

Ashley: "Bye"

Story#3: Poncho Man

Scene: Union Square Park. Bailey and Ashley are watching the "squirrel man" evoke every squirrel within a 50 ft. radius of the park with a bag of peanuts and some corn. Think Evan Almighty. A strange man wearing a colorful poncho (not a rain poncho, but the hooded poncho that was cool back when I was in the 8th grade) approaches us.

Characters: Bailey, Ashley, and Man wearing colorful poncho 

Poncho man: "How old is your dog?"

Ashley: "She is 5."

Poncho Man: "What is her name?"

Ashley: "Bailey"

Poncho Man: "Do you feed her table scraps?"

Ashley: giggle "Yes, she is pretty spoiled."

Poncho Man: "You need to feed her chicken and rice."

Ashley: "I'll think about that."

Poncho Man:"What is your favorite color?"

Ashley: "umm, green I guess"

Poncho Man: "Green is the color of the earth."

Ashley: "Very true."

Poncho Man: "I am a salsa instructor."

Ashley: "Really, that is great.

Poncho Man:"Do you salsa dance? I am looking for two girls for a performance."

Ashley: "Well, I like to eat salsa but I have never been salsa dancing. My husband is a great dancer. Are you looking for men too?"