Professionally adept, romantically demented

As an engineer, I am expected to be a methodical thinker, a good decision maker and someone that gets things done.  Being results-oriented sometimes means that you have to be politely assertive… ok ok, maybe some would call it demanding; and you definitely have to be a good negotiator – especially with the “sticklers for the rules but don’t see the intent of the law” types.     Oh boy, I wish I could give a couple of examples, but I’d like to avoid a defamation suit.

Years of working in a testosterone-saturated field have successfully programmed me to be more or less at ease working and interacting with my XY counterparts.   But lately, I’ve been realizing just how nontransferable my work skills/techniques are in the realm of dating. 

For instance, at work you DO NOT text or receive quaint but completely ambiguous messages from your contractor or colleagues such as “Got any plans this week?” Whatever you want to ask or know from them, and vice versa, you communicate it in an explicit, and timely manner.  If they don’t respond in an explicit, and timely manner, you email or phone them with “friendly reminders” or, to “follow- up”.   This is entirely inappropriate in the dating game.  The following is what would happen to a phone message when you mix work-style communication with dating-style.

“Hello Mr. (insert last name of dreamy guy) , I just wanted to FOLLOW-UP on the productive outing that we had three days ago.  I am glad that we were able have this opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the project, errr… I mean each other’s background, expectations and the budget, oops… I mean I really enjoyed the evening.  And… just a FRIENDLY REMINDER to give me a call, so that we can discuss the proposed Terms of Reference further… errr.. I mean NEXT ACTIONS… ah ah..  Sorry.   Oh… umm… I’d love  to…  you know….. Ooooh forget it!!”  * CLICK *

A slight exaggeration, I know; but I honestly do have to make a conscious effort of holding back the engineer, relinquishing control, and letting some of that buried femininity emerge.   Professionally adept; but romantically-demented.  The worst part is I kinda relish this bit of personal dysfunction J