Uh huh.

Conversation. It's a wonderful thing.

I just wish my recent date had learned how to engage in it. What I don't understand in life...jelly shoes, why people love Kathy Lee Gifford and how some guys acquire NO social skills in life.

Seriously, how do you NOT learn how conversation is attained. I talk. You listen and reply and perhaps add witty comments and ask questions. I listen and respond to what you say and perhaps add more and ask questions. You listen and reply in turn.

Simple right? Unless you are out with *Jay. Listen, Jay planned a GREAT date, don't get me wrong. I mean, how wrong can you be taking someone to the ballet? But you can't mask lack of personality with guys in tights, as entertaining as that was for 2 hours.

No, Jay has no social skills. Here is a snippet of what it's like to talk to Jay:

Me: "So how was work today?"

Jay: "It was good."

Silence...

Me: "Yeah my day was pretty busy. Something funny did..."

Jay: "Uh-huh"

Me: "Um... did happen today at work. I was in the middle of..."

Jay: "Uh-huh"

Me: "middle of class and one of my students raised his hand and..."

Jay: "Uh-huh"

Okay. WTF dude. Stop saying UH HUH!!! At least know that "uh huhs" are placed at intervals where there are PAUSES in conversation, not in the MIDDLE of sentences! Then when I finish, it's like he wasn't even listening and doesn't comment on what I said or respond to it in any way. He starts talking about something else entirely or there is just silence. It's like in Wayne's World 2 when Wayne & Garth are talking to the deejay about "Waynestock" and he isn't listening, and just keeps saying, "Uh-huh". THAT is Jay.

Then there are these horrible awkward silences. Tonight he calls me on the phone.

Jay: "What are you doing?" (a question, I'm impressed)

Me: "Watching something incredibly intellectual... Jersey Shore"

Silence.

Jay: "Yeah I was just finishing doing some cleaning."

Wow. You don't say.

I think the problem is, he doesn't listen to what I'm saying, so it comes across like he doesn't care. I think the guy is painfully shy & nervous, and ya know what though, at the age of 40.. you should have your shit together dude. I don't mean to sound so mean, but how do you manage 40 years on earth and not be able to hold a conversation? How did you ever get hired from a job interview? It's sad, because I think he's a nice guy, but I think he just lacks some skills, ya know? And at my age, I don't want to have to teach you. Too bad. Back to the dating pool we go.