more tales from the dating trenches

At some point in the night (many drinks in, hence I have no idea why), sitting bar-side, The Man and I shook hands.

Is that the handshake you use when you're interviewing?, he asked.
Um, no. Let me try again.
[Shake]
No, no, no. Can I teach you how to shake hands? You're obviously a confident girl. You need to give that impression through your handshake.
I can do it, just let me try!
[Shake]
Okay. It's not about squeezing hard, or shaking really hard like you just did. Like this...
[He takes my hand.]
But seriously, I say. Have you ever not hired someone because of their handshake?
No, he says. But I've asked for a do-over. And whatever you do, don't grab their fingers...

I told my mom I had gone on a date with someone older. She asked how old, and I instinctually lied. 26, I said. She gave me the same reaction your mom had, you'll end up with an older man anyway, blahblahblah. Then she told my dad I had been on a date. How did it go?, asked my dad. Good, except he was really really old. How old?, asked dad. Um, 26. (At this point I had to be consistent.) Well, if he were 36, that would be one thing. 26 isn't old.

I know there is no future with this. But he makes me laugh. We didn't have a single awkward silence. I felt comfortable being honest with him (Why yes, I did google you before the date!). He had good follow-up the next day. He was decisive in choosing a restaurant and making a plan.

And he called me when he got home, to ask when our second date would be.