Dear Hivemind...

[agentotter]

We had a technician in the office today to help us with our various computer issues, OS upgrades, etc etc. He is totally cute and nice and also likes my dog. (That's always a good sign.) He's coming back in a few days to install a server for us, so I will actually see him again. How do I ask him out? Seriously. I would seriously like to ask him out. I LACK THESE SKILLS. I was never technically a teenage girl (I skipped straight to like... I dunno... 40), and so never learned the things that even ten-year-olds know these days.

Also, I always worry about expressing interest in somebody while they're just doing their job, because you know... they didn't ask to be in my presence, they're being paid for it. It seems terribly unprofessional and kind of awkward.

Oh, Internets. GUIDE ME PLZ.

Sincerely yours,

Pathetic in Pittsburgh
(not actually in Pittsburgh)

Comments

[princessofgeeks]

chat him up, and when he is packing up to leave, ask him if he would mind giving you his phone number.

then later that night or the next day, call him and invite him to dinner or coffee or some such. maybe a concert.

GOOD LUCK!!!! *pom poms*

[sara]

Oh, see, I'd advocate for offering one's own phone number.

[damned_colonial]

And I for kicking off with a "hey, I was wondering, would you like to get together sometime for coffee/dinner/a movie/this great band's playing/do you like kayaking" and if he expresses interest then say "why don't we swap contact details" and give him your phone number and email, and ask him for the same.

[sara]

...hey, that would be good. It's like you actually know how to hit on people or something.

(I am complete shit at hitting on people, which is why it's a good thing I don't have to do it any more. The whole concept of chatting up attractive near-strangers...actually, I don't think I've ever done it. I mean, in a professional environment, yes, which is why my idea of "making a pass" revolves around "make sure you have a business card on you.")

[princessofgeeks]

that would definitely work too, imho. sometimes saying no is less awkward over the phone, though.... if he didn't want to go, it might make the rejection easier on both sides than the face to face datemaking upon first contact.

i think the phone number exchange is the softer option, but that's just me.

i agree that asking him to get together would work right up front too.

[princessofgeeks]

well, that might work too, but she specifically said she wanted to ask him out, so that's the direction I went.