When your at a bar, and the bartender winks at you and flirts, it is natural to think that she is in to you. Your the best looking guy in the place, right? It seems like she is paying extra special attention to you. When she comes down to my section at the bar, she asks me first if I need another. The reality is your getting no extra attention. She comes down to your section of the bar because she has to. She asks if you need another because your drink is empty.
But these things, these don't concern a man when he is a couple deep at the local tavern. Without a doubt, bet the house on it certainty, this girl is into you. So you start with subtle stares that in all actuality are not so subtle. You try to make coy conversation and sound smooth and intelligent, when really your shouting. Loudly.
At this point, a common tendency is to develop some kind of unilateral relationship with this girl. And you know what? In the 15 minutes you've have known each other, things have been great. Confidence is back. With each would "you like a another?" and "so what are your plans for the weekend?" offerings of dialogue from this gorgeous bartender, your confidence swells, things are good. I'm back.
And then, when your basking in your accomplishments and patting yourself on the back, you notice out of the corner of your eye, that your most prized possession, is spending a little more time with the clean cut preppy guy at the end of the bar. And he tips. Big. So suddenly, your caught in a poker match for the attention of the bartender. You raise with a 3 dollar tip against his 2, he comes back with 4 for a 5 beer. Too rich for my blood! And she is gone. What could have been. Our children would have been beautiful.
In the grand scheme of things, the hot bartender went home alone. She probably has a boyfriend anyway, who works out and has a steady job. I sure know I need all of those things.
The great news is that tomorrow is a new day, and I can try again. Her shift starts at 3 PM.