And also, get off my lawn.

[mrissa]

I just picked up the library's copy of Sarah Dessen's This Lullaby. On page 12 is the line, "He turned it [the narrator's hand] palm up before I could even react, and pulled a pen out of his back pocket, then proceeded--I am not joking--to write a name and phone number in the space between my thumb and forefinger."

And in the margin, a very teenybopper hand has written in black ballpoint ink, "Why doesn't that happen in real life?"

1. Princess, this? IS NOT YOUR BOOK. It is the library's book. Nobody cares where you swooned.

2. You know why it doesn't happen in real life, sugar? Because you live in Minnesota, and even at your presumed age, even many of the most clueless males already know that if they go around grabbing body parts of women they have just met, they will a) happen upon one like me who will make sure they do not get back the pen or the hand they grabbed with or b) happen upon one who has a broad-shouldered relative happy to provide the same service at a moment's notice. There are lots of broad-shouldered relatives in these parts. Both sexes, or did you think the fella was kidding?

Seriously. This is my body. That out there is your body. If you get confused, I will be happy to give you a reminder that the bit that hurts is the bit that's you.

I am so glad my teenaged friends have more sense.

Comments

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

The interaction in this book is literally a girl he has really, really just met: it would take magical psychical powers to be able to tell that quickly. They have spent thirty seconds in each other's company, and she has complained that he shoved her into a wall, and that's it. "Don't push me, asshole." "Here's my phone number!" No. Just no.

[sethb.livejournal.com]

From my point of view, the difference between "good understanding of how women feel" and "magical psychical powers" isn't all that great.

But yes, with those I know the second part of the interaction (first part: he pushes her into wall) is more likely to involve her dropping the wall on him.

[redbird]

From my point of view, this is what words are for. Words like "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you" or, if that's too difficult "would you like my phone number?"

I don't claim a "good understanding of how women [or men] feel." I have a good understanding of how some people feel (not limited to, or following from, a specific gender), and a respect for other people's personal space.

Also for other people's, and the library's, books.

[marydell.livejournal.com]

Is his name Edward Cullen, perchance?