See, I have this teen whom I worked with about two years ago. I wasn’t particularly close to her or anything. As a matter of fact, our interactions were minimal and apart from their group projects, I’ve never dealt with her alone.
Strangely, she started to contact me about a year later, when she began working. By then, I had very vague memories of her and even right now, I can only best guess how she looks like.
She started sending me short text messages to my phone. Very polite greetings and all. So I replied and we had some conversations on and off that way. The cynic in me thought she was trying to sell me stuff but I later realised it was nothing of that sort. But still, I cannot figure out why she wanted to keep in touch with me. She said she’s happy as long as I’m replying to her.
Then one week ago, she asked me if I watch movies. I sort of knew where she was heading with that but still, her invitation to watch a movie with her this coming weekend took me by surprise.
Honestly, I wasn’t keen on her invitation and even though I didn’t want to reject her outright, I made a small excuse and got away with that. But I do feel bad because I think she’s obviously trying to reach out to me. Which stumps me even more. I mean, doesn’t a 20-year-old or 21-year-old girl have any friends?
I’ve worked with many teens over these few years and while some of them would occasionally send me emails, invite me to join their online communities, none have tried to connect with me like the way she’s doing.
And to put it bluntly, I really prefer to stay detach but at the same time, I can’t helped but be bothered by the nudging concern that this girl could be awfully lonely or something. I’m kind of worried that by rejecting her invitation, I might have caused some sort of pschological damage for her.
Oh geez..please tell me I’m paranoid.
I guess she just want a friend…hehe
But you never know why she’s really contacting you.
I wouldn’t reply back at all….:P
Comment by Kay — Wed, 4 Jun 2008 @ 9:09 pm
If u ask me, I would give her the benefit of the doubt, until it’s proven wrong
Comment by sunshinensunflower — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 @ 12:15 am
You are not obliged to keep in touch with her .. and be friends right..? i too would keep the distance.. for professionalism wise.
Comment by Mama BoK — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 @ 2:38 am
ooooh. tough call.
i’m at the stage in my life where I just want to be friends with who i want to be friends with. I only want to entertain those I want to entertain.
Comment by Irene — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 @ 3:36 am
she’s a little strange. but i would say no too. because saying yes would open a bigger can of worms and alot more responsibility which i’m sure i don’t want.
Comment by imp — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 @ 2:37 pm
Hmm…i would get paranoid if i were you…let’s hope she doesn’t have any hidden agenda..
Comment by Eileen — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 @ 4:55 pm
I’d be totally freaked out if I were you. This whole thing sounds too wierd.
Comment by Hsin — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 @ 9:32 pm
Thanks everyone for your comments.
Kay: I did ignore one or two of her messages but I usually replied her.
SSF: Hmmm…
MB: I don’t work with her anymore so it doesn’t affect so much. But yes, you’re right that I have no obligations now.
Irene: My thoughts exactly! I can’t force myself to entertain and I’m not a social worker either.
imp: You spoke my thoughts. A colleague suggested I talked to her but I thought it could open up a can of worms.
Eileen: Ya, that’s a tough guess. I’m completely puzzled by her gesture!
Hsin: I guess I’m not freaking out only cos I knew her and she looks like a normal girl to me.
Comment by sesame — Fri, 6 Jun 2008 @ 6:49 am
Geez… strange indeed but nowaday teens behavior are really different… probably that the mind gap and we really cant understand why they do that.
Anyway u are not oblige.. dont worry too much.. think she will be fine.
wtpg: Yah, I think she’ll be fine too. But I do still feel a tad bad for rejecting her invitation.
Comment by wtpg — Fri, 6 Jun 2008 @ 3:57 pm