I’m so glad to be out of the dating scene! But, as a male, maybe I can share an experience that might contrast a bit with the linked story. Let’s call it a conf

I’m so glad to be out of the dating scene! But, as a male, maybe I can share an experience that might contrast a bit with the linked story. Let’s call it a confession from an unpleasant man: I was on a work trip- a few years ago- still fairly newlywed and no kids. We had different offices, and I was making the most of it to get to know people better from the other office. Drinks were involved, it was a big celebration event. Anyways, I was hitting it off really great with someone in another division that I didn’t get a lot of exposure to, but she used the software I was working on. She looked to be about my age. I dont remember what we were talking about but at one point she stopped me, held up her hand, and said “Im sorry, but I’m married”. I was absolutely flabbergasted. Of course I held up my hand and said I was married too- but it really killed the conversation. I absolutely was not hitting on her, but apparently being nice and interested in what she had to say was (incorrectly) detected as a pickup attempt. Anyways, ever since then I’m careful to not be too friendly with other women or to quickly bring up the topic of kids. This brings me to another topic: kids. I absolutely adore my kids. I love playing with them. I love taking them to the playground. I am so terrified around other people’s kids. Some kid needs help at a playground? Not getting any from me. I want to be nice to other kids, but I’m absolutely terrified someone is going to accuse me of trying to abduct them or something. I feel like a man being kind to kids other then his own is absolutely unacceptable today, and that makes me really sad.