flirting...

I am a flirt.

I will be the first to say it, I know it is true... I have always been, and will always be, a flirt. Not the touch your arm, giggle maniacally, "I want to do you" kind of way... but in the lots of smiles, direct eye contact, talk, and tease (as in joke) kind of way. Its just my personality and it doesn't mean anything.

At least, to me it doesn't.

Today, I came into work late (due to the super long days I worked this past weekend!), and the train was not too full. The conductor, a younger guy, noticed me reading Harry Potter. When I had stepped onto the train, I had smiled at him. Now, he talked to me. He asked me about the book, and then he went off to do his ticket checking. I continued to read. He came back, talked to me a bit more, then went off again as we got to a new station. I read some more. He came back AGAIN, and sat down next to me. We talked some more. Now let me explain that when he wasn't talking to me, I was reading. When he would come by I would find a stopping spot in the book before replying to him. Not in a rude way, but just so he knew I really was reading. But once I would stop reading and start talking, my personality automatically kicked in.

Toward the end of the train ride he asked me if I would like to accompany him to an early screening of the new Harry Potter. At that point I mentioned my engagement. He looked a little embarrassed, but then invited Travis too. I should have just said no thanks... but honestly I was just so excited about seeing Harry Potter early, that I ended up exchanging phone numbers with him. I know, I know, I'm waaayyyyy too trusting. But its only my number, and I have no problem telling people to shove off over the phone if he calls me more then once and doesn't IMMEDIATELY mention the tickets.

In fact, I picture the conversation going like this:

Me: Hello?

Conductor: Hi, is this Megan?

Me: Yes, who is this?

Conductor: It's Phil.

Me: Who?

Conductor: Phil, from the train.

Me: Oh, hi!! Were you able to get two more tickets?!?!

Conductor: Uh, I'm not sure yet.

Me: (very disappointed) Oh, well... let me know when you know.

Conductor: Oh, uh, okay. Um, bye.

I'm always honest with Travis too. And sure, he gets exasperated with me (when I'm too trusting especially), but he knows that I love him, and that I honestly don't mean to "encourage" anyone or however you want to put it. I mean, I honestly flirt with everyone... even my female friends, and clearly I'm not expecting any of my female friends to jump me.

Anyway, I was talking to a friend about flirting, and she said something about how she outgrew that and once you get to a certain point in your life, you just stop doing that. Honestly though, I can't see myself outgrowing this, it's my personality. I'm not going to stop smiling at people, or making direct eye contact, or joking around. I love to make people smile and laugh, and I don't see anything wrong with that.

Plus, it is not like I set out to see if I can get people to flirt with me, or ask me out or whatever. I'm not wearing this ring on my finger as a fashion statement, and I don't hide it!! Grr.

What do you guys think?