Perhaps aggressive is the wrong word I'm looking for, maybe assertive is more appropriate.
It's funny how I always seem to get a tad confused by aggressive and assertive, especially at work.
I spent last night at the awesome Saadiyat Beach Club in Abu Dhabi. And every time I've visited the UAE (three times in 2015 opps) I've been blown away by forward people (guys) are here.
From walking into the club, right away I knew people were looking at me (and no I didn't have lipstick on my teeth). I'm not used to having attention so openingly.
Walking to the bar a man stopped me and said how beautiful I looked. I thought it was very sweet and he didn't try to chat me up, just wanted to say something nice.
All night everyone was so friendly. Not just the guys but also the ladies. Chatting to each other in the line for the loo, complimenting each other's outfits.
I love the atmosphere out here. People think it's such a strict country, and in some ways it is but that doesn't mean people don't have fun.
Wherever I travel to, I always respect the local culture and values. I think I'd be a very ignorant traveller if I didn't.
When I travel alone, I sometimes use Tinder to chat to people initially. I went on Tinder when I arrived and matched with a few guys.
It's funny as at home when I swipe right (likey) I'd say 6/7 out of 10 are a match. Here the odds go up to 8/9 out of 10.
Maybe it's just the 'fresh meat' element but even the use of 'super like' is used far more out here.
I am always very upfront when I speak to guys on Tinder whilst I'm away, I say that I'm not looking for a 'hook up' but I'm just looking to meet someone for a drink and a chat. And if the former happens then so be it.
I've had pretty good experiences using Tinder abroad. I'd say the oddest one was a guy that I met in Thailand telling me all about his open relationship with his ex (actually it was pretty interesting hearing about it).
One of the guys I chatted to on Tinder ended up going to the same club as me last night. He came up to me and said hello and proceeded to count the new year in with me (a little mid night kiss but sadly no spark).
Whilst walking to get a taxi, a couple of more guys spoke to me. One kindly took a picture of me by the pool then asked if he could take a picture of us together (whatever floats your boat).
Waiting for a taxi I got chatting to a cool Aussie dude. I was asking him all about Oz as I'd like to visit there this year (seems odd writing that!).
It ended with him asking for my number and we've arranged to go to the beach tomorrow.
Things like that don't happen in the UK. If a guy chatted a girl up waiting in a line, she'd probably think he was a creep.
It's got me thinking whether us Brits are too stuck up? I think maybe we are. Or we're too busy stuck on technology to talk to each other.
I said I don't buy into New Years resolutions but I've decided I'm going to make more effort to engage with people in the real world.
That means when I see family, I won't be on my phone the whole time. I'm even going to go wild and try and engage with people I don't know.
That doesn't mean I'm going to be the nutter on the train talking to everyone but simple things like making eye contact and smiling or helping someone if they ask that question that no one bothers to answer (e.g on the train if someone asks if it goes to a specific stop).
I may even stop giving tourist in London the wrong directions. Come on, who doesn't do this? I'm running to grab a sandwich on my 15 min lunch break and they have all day to stroll around.
And on that note, I wish you all a Happy New Year. I hope it's filled with lots of love, luck and happiness. 
No comments:
Post a Comment