The Look and how I got the name "Chopsticks"

One of the most important skills to have when going out without a group (A.K.A. by yourself [as I so often do]) is the ability to give the look. What is the look? It is the glance that you give to a complete stranger at a club to let them know you need rescuing. Many a time I have been dancing at Hometown Dance Club and found myself essentially stuck dancing with someone who I do not want to dance with, let alone talk to, it is times like these where having the look perfected is paramount.

There are many looks; there’s the “you’re cute, let’s dance” flirty look, the “sexy eyes” (I’d like to get physical with you) look, the “you’re a good dancer” (care to dance with me?) look, the “you’re a good dancer” (it’s fun watching you do your thing) look, the “you look like someone nice” (lets talk outside) look, the “you don’t have a prayer” (forget about it) look, “the leave me the fuck alone” look, the “I will hurt you if you don’t leave me the fuck alone” (consider this a warning) look, the “I’m sorry I’m stuck over here” (sincerely apologetic) look, the “I’m sorry, I’m stuck over here” (I am glad I am not over there) look, the shocked “oh, you’re here” (sometimes pleasantly surprised and sometimes quite annoyed) look, and many other looks… however the most important look to have in your “look” repertoire is, hands down, the look. When done correctly the look can be given to anyone, friend, acquaintance, stranger, ex, etc., and they will understand, and they will help you, as instantly as is possible. The look is also reciprocal, if you receive it, better step in, it is only fair after all, others are expected to save you when you give it, and thus you have to be willing to save them when they give it. It is an unspoken well known Dance Club rule

It only took me one night of pulling the “I have to go to the bathroom” and then sneaking out (after using the bathroom) trick before I had the look perfected. It took me about 3 more nights to figure out how to judge who to give the look to, to avoid having to employ it again within 20 minutes (or seconds).

I got the name “Chopsticks” by using the look. Halfway through an evening (night) at Hometown Dance Cub I had accumulated a rather large number of guys that wished to keep dancing with me; I had no desire to dance (or talk, or be in any way associated with) with any of them. While 3-5 of them were arguing over whose dance partner I was, I gave the room a quick scan and selected my newest target for the look – he responded quickly and effectively. We danced until Hometown Dance Club closed and as I was enjoying his company, I accepted his offer to go to his friend + friend’s BF’s house (it was also close to my house which didn’t hurt). Once there the four of us shared some champagne and the boy who I had accompanied and I were left alone downstairs. We talked for several hours before falling asleep on the couch. The next morning I woke up, left, and walked home.

At several points during the night I asked him if he knew my name… he never answered correctly (by “correctly” I mean with an affirmative and with my name) this never really bothered me, but it embarrassed him. The entire time we were at Hometown dance club he had called me “Chopsticks” because I had my hair up in a bun with chopsticks holding it up.

I have run into him several times since. I never feel awkward with our fun sarcastic little exchanges, so we chat for a bit… and then I ask him if he knows my name… and he gets defensive and embarrassed, he can never remember it. He is the only person in real life who calls me “Chopsticks”; however I wear chopsticks in my hair frequently, and think the name (and the style) is kind of cute. So I took it and made it my own. Now you know the story behind the name of my blog.