Date # 6 - Mike at the beach.....a.k.a. Guido Wannabe

Mike was a self-proclaimed "guido". He indicated in his online profile that he was "just a guido", among other things.....

He was o.k. looking in the ONE photo he had online. I typically don't meet people for a drink/coffee date based on one photo. It's not really a rule, but I don't trust people who can't find a way to have more than one photograph of themselves. Mike was no different - it was one of those photos that had so little background in it and just his face...that it could have been taken in any decade. Nevertheless, I agreed to meet him for a "piece of shitty pizza" at the beach.

He was waiting for me in the parking lot when I arrive. He looked nothing like his photograph. No worse - no better - just nothing like it and in spite of his desire to label himself a guido - he was far from it.

I attempted to make small-talk as we walked around a bit to see the twighlight entertainment (street performers, etc) at the pier and then headed across the street for a something to eat. He backed out of the "shitty pizza" at the last minute and opted for some "gator bites" at a seafood beach shack.

I imagine the entire date was somewhat painful to watch from an outsider. I struggled to make small talk for the first hour and probably somewhat gave up during the second hour we were hanging out. There was a slight banter of sarcasm from time to time, but nothing engaging. His body language was very stand-offish and he acted borderline aloof, although I suspect that was his "tough guy" front.

When it was all over - he walked me to my car and we both said goodbye in a way that was clear neither of us thought of the other as a "match".

I did take one very valuable thing away from the date, however....
A parking ticket from the Parks Department for $25. Nice.

6 down...94 to go!