Interesting Experience

So yesterday I had a very interesting experience. Christina and I needed some supplies, so we headed to a local mall. Christina went into the department store looking for supplies for a project she was working on. I went searching for printer ink. First store- out of stock. Second store- out of stock. I walked around looking for other stores that might sell ink. Could not find our brand. An ink store did not have what I needed. So I kept walking, looking for other computer stores. It was at this point that I had my interesting experience.

So I'm walking in the mall, not in any particular store. Just in the mall itself. Like a hallway if you will. And walking next to me (but like 3 meters away) was a guy who said, "Hi." Now, this is not uncommon here in the Philippines. People are always saying hi and asking where I'm going and calling me their friend. The people here are just nice and friendly like that. So this is not the interesting part. Not yet.

But I'm on a mission, so I simply reply by saying, "Hello." Again, not the interesting part. After a second or two, he says to me, "Can I help you with something?" Now this is starting to get interesting. I am very accustomed to this question, but only when I am INSIDE a store. As you recall, I was walking in the mall, but NOT in any store. And he didn't look like he was dressed like any employee at the mall or any of its stores. So this was a little strange.

As an American guy, I'd like to find what I want by myself, without much help. So I shook my head and said, "I'm just looking around." I kept walking, albeit slowly as I was looking at the storefronts. He then stepped closer to me and then asked me two questions. THIS now is the interesting part!

First, he asked, "Would you like to be my friend?" Well, doesn't that make for an awkward moment? Now, I've been told that it's quite common here for people to have "text-mates" as they call them. And as a guy, I've been cautioned about the potential for women here to want an American male as a text-mate, supposedly in hopes of it becoming something more. So someone asking to be my friend just seems a little suspicious to me. And totally random and awkward. I just kind of shook my head and, without being rude or disrespectful, said, "I don't think so."

By now I'm intently looking at the stores, trying to politely avoid this guy. He had taken a few steps away, but then sort of turned back and asked, "Do you like watching movies?" Now, there is a theater in this mall, and I feel like I've been polite long enough now. I'm getting worried, and I'm getting out of here. I shook my head and quickly said, "Not really." I then abruptly turned around and walked the other way. Quickly.

So like I said, it was an interesting experience. One I hope not to repeat, but I'm guessing I will at some point. Maybe next time I can handle it with more grace.