Chimera

I interpreted it the same way when I was young. First time I was asked out I thought he meant as friends so I accidentally said yes. Some of my other friends saw it and pulled me aside to explain what I had agreed to do. It was weird for about a week before I broke the “not interested” news to him. Looking back, the biggest early tell was my first actual boyfriend. I didn’t understand romance so I decided to set up an experiment where I could safely study dating. I picked my first boyfriend because I thought he would fit the experiment’s criteria. He was NOT happy a few months later when he found out.

The one I get the most comes as a string of questions from guys I’ve just met. 1) Are you married? No. 2) Oh, so then you have a boyfriend? No. 3) Do you have a girlfriend? (This questing is asked about 30 to 40% of the time) No. 4) Next question is a mix of why and if I want to go out with them. Sorry, but I don’t date. They will spend the next few hours (this normally happens at work so I can’t leave) trying to convince me to give them a chance. I have tried everything to end these conversations from being honest about being aro to admitting to being a lesbian (which I’m not so I always feel guilty if I go this route). If I tell the truth they try to convince me that it has to be because I had a bad relationship and/or just haven’t met the right man yet. And of course, they happen to be the right man. ? Oh, there’s also the slut shaming. Apparently, being sexually active but not interested in romance makes me a slut. Aaaand that turned into a bit of a rant. Sorry.