Real tales of Oslo City
Jesus, it’s already been 3 days since I posted! My attempt to post once daily the first month is in ruins before I’ve barely even started. I had completely forgotten how difficult it is keeping a blog. I’ve been trying to post as little as possible about my personal life, as I’m frightened of boring you to death. But the other possibility - not posting at all - makes boredom even more likely. So I guess the former is the lesser evil. ;)
Little piece of information about me: I am absolutely awful at saying no. I’m a people pleaser. I want everyone to like me, and I definitely don’t want anyone to find me rude. This has bitten me in the ass more times than I can count. A recent example follows.
The other night, I had been to the city, so I was sitting on Burger King while waiting for the train to come. Now, note that I was alone, and that the area around the central station is not one with a good reputation - you could walk 20 meters from the main entrance and on the way score both heroin and a hooker. Anyway, once I’d finished the meal, I fished my iPhone out of the pocket and started watching random YouTube videos to keep myself entertained. Then, out of nowhere, a complete stranger sits down across from me and begins conversing. He’s maybe a year or two older than me, African, and speaks somewhat broken Norwegian. I play along despite being completely uninterested.
When my train’s a couple of minutes away, he insists on following me down to the platform. When I’m about to board, he asks for my number. I hesitate, but because I’m terrified of being impolite or rude, I give it to him.
On Sunday, he sends me two texts and calls me thrice. I never dared to pick it up, instead ignoring it until it stopped ringing. On Monday, he calls me thrice more. By now, I’m dreading every time I hear my familiar Super Mario theme ringtone, but he seems to have given up and finally taken the hint.
I feel awful about it. :( And slightly flattered. But mostly awful.
My best friend is now making me say “NO” to a request at least once daily, to ensure something similar doesn’t happen again.
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