Wednesday in the Park with Jorge

I don't have much experience squelching unsolicited male attention.

I turn into Polly Polite, congenitally unable to stop the solicitor in his tracks or formulate an excuse not to take the proffered phone number or the invitation to dance. If I'd ever lived in NYC (or watched enough Sex and the City), I'd have the right comeback. Would have saved me from gawky 14-year-old boys at church dances.

Halfway through my first lap around Zinna Park this morning, a Hispanic man said hello and stopped to introduce himself (in Spanish so I responded in Spanish). Jorge said he'd like to be friends--he could practice his English and I could practice my Spanish. Could he give me his number?

I hesitate. He asked if I was married (Yes, YES! Doesn't that mean I'm exempt!?) but he was undeterred. He said he'd go to his car for a pen and I kicked myself for the rest of lap one for not forcefully declining.

Jorge intercepted me by the car park and I (stupidly) waited for him to write down the number. Just then, one of the young marrieds from church walked by, so I excused myself to start lap two.

I'm sweaty, unshowered and slathered in sunscreen and DEET. The opposite of alluring. I thought the wedding ring meant I wouldn't have to fend off this kind of attention. How do I shut up my inner Nice Girl? Is abominable rudeness the only way to go?