Alone in Atlanta: Hey Stranger
Today, we have a wonderful writer buddy of mine who coordinates the singles’ event I attended last month. She writes a column, Alone in Atlanta, which clearly makes her a prime candidate to share her misadventures in Atlanta with us! Please join me in welcoming Brittany!
Atlanta is a world all in its own. It has the potential to be a small world, running into people in places you least expected. And it has the potential to be a big world, never seeing people that only live stop lights away.
I’m also learning that Atlanta has the potential to be a strange world. I guess I’m a resident of the “strange world” because I am constantly greeted with the phrase “Hey Stranger”.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve dated guys and for one reason or another, they fall off the face of the earth. Weeks….months….even years go by and somehow they find me in the “strange world” and contact me using the official greeting people nation wide have agreed upon: Hey Stranger.
Just recently, I met a really nice guy and we began to date. Things were going well and out of nowhere he started to disappear. I used to be really bad about jumping to conclusions and assuming the worse. So now, before I write people off, I make sure they’re ok first. Because in these times, there’s always the possibility something could’ve happened. After sending my standard “are you ok?” text, I received a reply of “yeah, I’m fine. Awww, you missed me?” Seeing that nothing was physically or mentally wrong with him (outside the fact that he wasn’t calling), I proceeded to let him know that I was just checking on him and casually went about by business.
Weeks went by, and just like the many times before, I was found in the “strange world” and greeted with “Hey Stranger” followed with “Haven’t heard from you”…
Every time I look down at my phone when I get the official greeting, a few things run through my mind: When did I become estranged? How did my number, address, and all other forms of contact stay the same but you weren’t able to find me this entire time? How come everyone else seems to know where I am but I was only estranged to you?
They can be 16 years old or 65. It could’ve been 2 weeks since you last heard from them or 5 years. No matter what the logistics are of the situation, this time honored phrase never seems to run its course. And 9 times out of 10, we entertain the greeting, giving everyone that uses it the impression that it’s effective and to keep it going until we finally decide not to allow those who chose to be estranged from us back in our lives.
I only hope one day, enough of us will choose to become estranged from the “Hey Strangers” of the past and start to answer to the possibility of wanting more than a second thought in our future.
Brittany Manson
Alone in Atlanta
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600 comments Add your comment
Carlito
June 3rd, 2010
8:27 am
OhhhhhKay.
Hello
Good morning.
Hello
Good Morning
LOL
Chiefpearl35
June 3rd, 2010
8:36 am
I love it sis! Keep up the great work. You are on your way.
Run4Life
June 3rd, 2010
8:37 am
When I get people coming back into my life after two or three weeks, my first thought is that he has me on rotation. So I’ve learned to just KIM. I know…I’m so negative. LOL
It's me....lurker
June 3rd, 2010
8:42 am
Weeks went by, and just like the many times before, I was found in the “strange world” and greeted with “Hey Stranger” followed with “Haven’t heard from you”…
Every time I look down at my phone when I get the official greeting, a few things run through my mind: When did I become estranged? How did my number, address, and all other forms of contact stay the same but you weren’t able to find me this entire time? How come everyone else seems to know where I am but I was only estranged to you?
I’m agreeing with the rotation notion….or jedi mind tricks maybe? That might be a stretch but I don’t get grown folks, well nevermind.
SlimOne
June 3rd, 2010
8:43 am
Good morning all…
Yep have experienced this before and I often wonder the same thing…they call you the ’stranger’ when they are more often than not, the party that created the distance in the first place.
So So Def.....
June 3rd, 2010
8:49 am
Yep…Hey Stranger after a 2 week mia = 5th place rotation…rofl.
Ladies what you do is delete them and when they do decide to call, ask politely “excuse me, who is this”.
SlimOne
June 3rd, 2010
8:56 am
My confusion is when someone you barely dated or went out with texts you after like 3 years expecting you to know who they are…who the hayo keeps random numbers in their phone for 3 years…and don’t even think about sending some nasty random dizzle pic either. lol
Carlito
June 3rd, 2010
8:57 am
To become a stranger is one sitting back waiting to be contacted? Maybe that caused the distance. If you think of someone just get in contact with them. Don’t sit there wondering why they are not contacting you. That is juvenile.
So So Def.....
June 3rd, 2010
8:58 am
Today is official Cleaning day, if you aint heard from him or her in any shape form or fashion hit “delete” and if you have and you know they are on some game press “delete”! lol
On the count of 3…Clean it up and make room for possibility…great topic Brittany!
I am whatever you say I am
June 3rd, 2010
8:59 am
Working from home Be-otch!
AmazonRed™ - It's time for the LAKE SHOW!
June 3rd, 2010
9:02 am
Morning all –
Strange topic. I’ve had to read it a few times to understand. Let me see if I can….
I met this guy, we started talking and he took me out. I knew he had a very busy job (but hey, if you persue me then it means you are willing to put in some work in your romantic life too). Anyway, I called him one night, and he didn’t call me back. A couple days went by. Then I get a text, randomly, about nothing really. So I asked him if this text was supposed to replace my phone call. He responded with that “awww…do you miss me” bull. I told him no, I just wanted to know if I should expect rudeness on the regular and asked him to lose my number.
He did until he started showing up places he knew I’d be (like Church).
Strange indeed.
Carlito
June 3rd, 2010
9:07 am
AmazonRed, you and I are seeing eye to eye, I did not know what to post with my first entry. So I just went with the Dirty Money Lyrics. LOL
Downtown Heffa
June 3rd, 2010
9:08 am
At the time the two of you met, you were the “new” person in his life. It was an exciting time hanging out with the “newness”. But! You began to wear off. It’s like purchasing something and once it wears off, you put on the shelf because you have found something else that caught your eye for the time being. So the question is, “Are you willing to wait for him to find your number, dust it off and call?”
Carlito
June 3rd, 2010
9:12 am
Atlanta must be a man’s playground, all of these women just sitting around waiting on a guy to call or date them? Is that really how it is?
Carlito
June 3rd, 2010
9:12 am
I Am, are you working from home or at home working. LOL Good morning, I hope you know I was just joking with you yesterday.
AmazonRed™ - It's time for the LAKE SHOW!
June 3rd, 2010
9:13 am
Hey Carlito, where you been?
And welcome Brittney. Thanks for stepping in today!
Professor
June 3rd, 2010
9:15 am
Brittany
I love it, chick! Great topic and interesting observation.
How did my number, address, and all other forms of contact stay the same but you weren’t able to find me this entire time? How come everyone else seems to know where I am but I was only estranged to you?
I would like to agree with So So Def, but it takes me a minute to lock someone in my phone. If nothing has changed on my end I say that to the sucker. The thing about me is this I am not hard to find I play the same circle on the same playground so if nothing else they can catch me at one of my stomping grounds.
Hola!
Deanna Wallace
June 3rd, 2010
9:18 am
This was a great article I look forward to reading more of her stories on her Atlanta dating life.
Luvbug
June 3rd, 2010
9:19 am
ARed- Please don’t tell me that fool showed up in Church?! Hilarious. Some folks I tell you. Did he act like he was surprised you were there? LOL
LOL
AmazonRed™ - It's time for the LAKE SHOW!
June 3rd, 2010
9:21 am
ARed- Please don’t tell me that fool showed up in Church?! Hilarious. Some folks I tell you. Did he act like he was surprised you were there? LOL
Not only did he show up, but he sat like two rows behind me…then moved next to me talking about “I couldn’t see back there”
Dude is 6′5″
Luvbug
June 3rd, 2010
9:22 am
LOL
AmazonRed™ - It's time for the LAKE SHOW!
June 3rd, 2010
9:23 am
And the funny thing was…all he had to do is call me back or just apologize for not doing so.
Professor
June 3rd, 2010
9:23 am
@Luvbug he went to “Chuch” looking for ARED. Now that is funny. I hope he had on a nice suit and cufflinks
Professor
June 3rd, 2010
9:24 am
then moved next to me talking about “I couldn’t see back there”
Dude is 6′5″
ARED, did you change pews?
Lady J-Baby put the work in like a champion......
June 3rd, 2010
9:25 am
Welcome Brittany!!!!!! Great Topic!!!!
Good Morning Blog Crew!!!
I will be lurking a bit…….busy day ahead!
Have a great day folks!!!!
SlimOne
June 3rd, 2010
9:26 am
‘all of these women just sitting around waiting on a guy to call or date them?’
Carlito – Nah, i don’t think that’s what it is. If you look up and realize that you are the only one making an effort to contact the other, then communication dies off because apparently the other person has something else going on or Just isn’t that into you. So if you fall back on initiating contact and the other person doesn’t reciprocate then I think it sort of becomes the “Hey stranger” scenario once they realize that you aren’t hitting them up anymore
Carlito
June 3rd, 2010
9:27 am
AmazonRed, I have been working and playing house.
AmazonRed™ - It's time for the LAKE SHOW!
June 3rd, 2010
9:29 am
ARED, did you change pews?
Besides, I was in the Lord’s house. I was trying to be in the holy spirit!
Carlito
June 3rd, 2010
9:29 am
Slim, Lady J, Professor, good morning
free to be (F2B)
June 3rd, 2010
9:30 am
good morning everyone.:) i will be lurking today. have a good one!
Lady J-Baby put the work in like a champion......
June 3rd, 2010
9:32 am
good morning sir!!!!! hey professor and f2b!!!!
slim and professor I am feeling your post chica’s ok focus lady j focus!!!!! daggit trying to play and work and it sucks yall! LMAO!
Professor
June 3rd, 2010
9:35 am
Hey Lady J! Hola Carlito!
czBrat
June 3rd, 2010
9:36 am
GM All!!
ok. so i wasn’t sure i even saw a topic to discuss. i guess that’s just cuz i’ve not had the ghost town experience with friends or exes. i’m enjoying the funny stories though.
weather forecast is making screen on the green tonight look verrrrry unlikely
SlimOne
June 3rd, 2010
9:37 am
Carlito – here is an air-kiss for you
Professor
June 3rd, 2010
9:38 am
Hola czBrat!
You might as well take your picnic basket and spread a blanket out at home and make the best of it there. Light some candles and open a bottle of wine and listen to the raindrops, and enjoy.
It's me....lurker
June 3rd, 2010
9:40 am
I haven’t really had someone to go ghost on me either but I recommend keeping those numbers in your phone and tagging with their name or a memorable name, depending upon the experience so if they decide they want to give you a call, just because you can either ignore or “hit” ignore sending to v/m.
Luvbug
June 3rd, 2010
9:40 am
Exactly. Call back, apologize and state your interest (romantic, friendship or otherwise) or stay gone. It aint that hard. Seriously, do we need a coming of age book (or Million Man March Seminar) for all stages of life?
Carlito
June 3rd, 2010
9:40 am
Professor, thanks for the picnic in the house idea
CanalZoneBrat, how are you
SlimOne,
Carlito
June 3rd, 2010
9:41 am
Luvbug, It’s me…Lurker, Hello ladies
Luvbug
June 3rd, 2010
9:44 am
Hey Carlito!! How was your vacation? You did go on vacation right??
Lady J-Baby put the work in like a champion......
June 3rd, 2010
9:45 am
luvbug if it was that simple……..lol……most feel an explanation isn’t needed and its up to the reciever to ignore or respond once that message pops up……lol……
waving @ it’s me lurker and czBrat!
Carlito
June 3rd, 2010
9:46 am
I was away for work and I had a little vacation in there as well
We had a great time.
Professor
June 3rd, 2010
9:48 am
:grin @ Carlito, I will tell you this the picnic at home is a lot of fun. I like to do it in the winter so I can have the fireplace going. but anytime is great. The funny thing is the fireplace, some candles, wine, and music is perfect. As for the food get some stuff you can nibble on and feed each other. I’ve pulled this one out after we have returned home from dinner and I pulled out the fruit and cheesecake bites it goes over well.
Luvbug
June 3rd, 2010
9:48 am
Professor/Lady J – LOL
Carlito – That’s good to hear.
czBrat
June 3rd, 2010
9:48 am
Hola Profesora!! you are just stoooopid!
CanalZoneBrat, how are you awwwww, Carlito, i heart you so much right now. i’m good, papito. how u doin?
HiYa Lady!!
Carlito
June 3rd, 2010
9:49 am
If you want to talk to someone just call them, case closed. If they do not call back, that speaks for itself. Of course, if they see you they are going to speak to you. LOL
riiiing riiing ‘”Hello you have reached Carl’s voicemail, there have been some changes to the program. Please leave a message. If you do not receive a call back you are probably one of those changes, see you at the top” beeeeeeeeep
Trevor0529
June 3rd, 2010
9:52 am
Good Morning Everyone!!
I will be lurking today. Not much to say on this topic.
Carlito
June 3rd, 2010
9:52 am
CanalZoneBrat, I am well
and in a great mood.
Professor, where can I get cheesecake bites?
Luvbug
June 3rd, 2010
9:53 am
Of course, if they see you they are going to speak to you. LOL
Especially if they’ve been following you around…pretending to just be in the neighborhood…or Church. LOL
Do not pretend to happen to be around me if you can’t call me. That’s just crazy!!
Carlito
June 3rd, 2010
9:53 am
Trevor, what’s up brother?