I was wandering around the arena pretending to be a social butterfly when I ran into a guy who used to be in my ward. I hadn't seen him in a year...maybe two and thankfully I remembered his name. We talked for a second and then he says to his girlfriend, " this is operation ladies man" to which she responded with complete understanding. I, however, was still totally confused. Seeing my confusion he decided to fill me in... Since it was about me anyway.
Apparently back when he was in the ward someone told him... Or he overheard me say that I don't date guys in my ward. He naturally decided that this statement was made not as truth but as a challenge. A challenge that he and two other guys made their personal mission to take on. They used a risk board and mapped out exactly how the task was to be accomplished. They were going to corner me at a ward activity and this guy was going to ask me on a date in front of 20 people and the bishop. The faulty logic here is that I would be unable to say no. They called it operation ladies man.
This is where I have to laugh because clearly these guys knew nothing about me. That kind of peer pressure has never worked on me. I don't care if I look like a jerk, I don't do things I feel pressured into. And also, how mean is it to put someone in that position? Why would you even want to go out with someone you knew doesn't want to be with you?
I had a good laugh with this guy at the arena and he confessed at the end of the conversation that he decided not to go through with the plan because, (and I quote) "you seem like you have a fierce personality and I figured if you went you would probably be angry about it the whole time" to which I told him he was absolutely correct. I do not like to be coerced into things...especially things that should be fun. Fact is, even if I want to do something, if I feel forced or pressured I won't want to do it anymore. Ask my mom how many times I cleaned my room when she told me I had to...
The best part about his plan was that one of his co-conspirators tried his it and asked me out in front of the bishop and I still said no. He later "blackmailed" me into going and I was bugged pretty much the whole time.
If these boys (yes boys) wanted to succeed, patience would have been better than pressure. I knew my rule was stupid and I have since broken it several times but only with people who became my friends and talked to me and asked me out in ways that showed respect for me and my agency.
Happily my friend from the skating arena is now dating a beautiful and sweet lady and seems to be exceptionally happy. So everything worked out in the end. Except operation ladies man.
