The Beginning

Summer has started for UNLV college students and life picks up a new start. Just working for the summer and being out of school has freed up a lot of my time and I have so many stories of things that are happening this summer in the life of this college student. Some of the stories are just too good not to share.

This morning I was walking to UNLV campus from my condo just a block away. Its always interesting to see who you will meet on these brief walks across Maryland Pkwy. Students walk at a brisk pace to the school, burdened with books and backpacks. They don't usually say anything on the way to school, but the students and random people you ended up passing on the sidewalk on their way away from the school, well you're never really sure what they'll do. This particular morning I met a young man, shorts down to his ankles in the not so attractive 'sag' position, jersey shirt on, hat turned sideways, walking the opposite way from me. Upon seeing me this young man decided to ask me "Where your man at?". I just looked at him and smiled, attempting to just walk by and ignore him. Of course this encounter could not have been that easy. He repeats again dangling his participle (an immense irritation for an English major such as myself.) "Where your man at?". At this point I have passed him on the sidewalk but to end this highly intelligent encounter I turn while still walking and say "I don't have one and I don't need one". He turns and chuckles.
Now what made this person think that this was acceptable behavior for two random strangers to have on the sidewalk? Why would you ask a girl in bad English the location of 'her man'? Like a girl can't go out without a male counterpart or like she can't be a person without a male hanging around. And if he was volunteering to be this gentleman that I must need as I'm walking to school, wouldn't it be better to find a different way of asking? Honestly if a guy politely asked if he could cross the street with me and then started up a good conversation that led to maybe smoothies at the student union, I would be really impressed. Too bad for this guy that he just didn't make that cut. Good day!