“There are a lot of cute guys here,” I said to Erin, looking around at the collegiate cuties on the platform of the Boston T subway.
“Like… A LOT,” I added, my peripheal vision spoting a Jared Leto look-alike walk onto the platform.
“Look right,” I directed Erin. She did, nodding in unspoken agreement.
A few moments later, after the subway arrived, Erin slyly grabbed two seats next to the Jared Leto look-alike and started conversation with him about the alternative newspaper he was reading.
“Does this have a section like Seattle’s “I saw you?”
“I saw you” is where Seattlite’s write to their lost love-at-first-sights in hopes that they read a description, realize it’s them, and immediately contact the “I saw you” author.
Erin’s question led she and Jared Leto look-alike to talk of Craig’s List Missed Connections, and how someone should answer them as if they were the actual “missed connection.”
Missed Connections are never an accident. They are created by our own actions and thoughts.
We create Missed Connections because we have barriers. Because we see that Jared Leto look-alike, strike up conversation and then say “goodbye” without saying what we actually mean: “Hello, you’re beautiful and I’m attracted to you so much that my peripheal vision freakishly picked you out on a crowded Boston subway platform. I think we have something here. Would you like to see me again?”
Instead, we turn to the silence of our computer screens, looking for a response from the other side. Any response.
“Why can’t I just tell a guy, ‘You’re beautiful. Have a nice day.’” I asked Erin.
“Because they’d think you were crazy.”
Thanks Erin.
We “miss” these connections and opportunities because we’ve decided that random, unprovoked meetings are not natural.
But what’s more natural than “naturally” being at the same place at the same time?
We cannot look at our lives as a series of Missed Connections. We must begin to act and behave as if every step is a step towards connective opportunity, and not uncomfortable “I wish I had…” moments of insecurity and frustration.
To combate these barriers, Erin E and Sammy D will be answering Missed Connections postings on Craigs List in their respective cities.
We will convince these Missed Connection authors that they actually miss us.
Sammy D will answer in Philadelphia, and Erin E, in New York City, where she now resides.
It’s better to seize the day and not have regrets. So they will answer and convince the Missed Connector that they are in fact their Missed Connection.
After meeting in a public place, they’ll tell you how it all went down.
It may be AWKWARD, but we’re hoping it turns out awesome.
*Posted by Sammy D
