Hi Janine,

I was wondering, when I talked to him I asked him “why wouldn’t you just say you’re stressed/busy/have to go?” or a simple “see you in class”, I said that this would have made it a lot better for everyone.. he wouldn’t feel trapped and could get on his merry way, and I wouldn’t take it personally. He laughed at this, saying “it’s hilarious that you think anyone in the world owes you that”. Is that true?

You’re not going to like my answer: Yes, it’s true.

Why did you feel it was okay to stop him in the stairwell to talk when he was headed somewhere? Have you ever experienced that yourself?…You’re on your way to say dinner or class and someone you hardly know sees you and expects you to stop and have a conversation with him? Did it not cross your mind to ask “Do you have a few minutes to talk?” before automatically engaging in a conversation with him?

Janine, I’m sorry, I’m really not trying to make you feel worse; I just want you to see another side of the situation.

B