All I want to do is play!

I don’t play games online a lot but when I do, I gravitate to those that revolve around words – Scrabble, Words with Friends.

But it’s gotten to the point where I rarely accept a request to play from an unknown male because of what inevitably follows.

“Hi. You’re pretty.”

“Judging from your picture, you’re a pretty woman.”

“You have a nice smile.”

And that’s the tame language.

Then, if I don’t respond.

“Hello?”

“Hello?!!”

“Hello?!!!”

And then they are gone. Game over.

The game was over before it began

I’ll tell ya buddy, the game was over before it began.

In case you missed it, the name of the game is Scrabble, where you try to find words from tiles that have letters on them. It’s not E-Harmony, where you try to find dates with your cheap come-on lines, created with words gleaned from Scrabble.

The game is called Words with Friends. It’s not Plenty of Fish.

I am not playing a free online game hoping I can meet “my person” and, at the same time, bypass the cost of an online dating membership.

I am not playing the word “LOVE” to try and send you some secret message that I love you. I’m not trying to hint at something when I play the word “SINGLE”. I don’t want to get hit on when I put down tiles that spell “DATING”. I just want to play!

This doesn’t just happen with games. I post on Instagram and suddenly all these men with “private profiles” are following me. Men who are following 1,397 people; who are followed by 14; and who themselves have posted 6 times. Men who say things like, “I’m an engineer. I built my own house. Message me and let’s see where it goes.” Or, “Yoo (yes, spelled like that) nice. Check me out too!”

Immediately, no questions asked, they are blocked, blocked and blocked.

I don’t want to ignore you

I am sure there are some legitimately decent guys playing just for the sake of a good challenge. Sorry to say, but unfortunately, these other dudes are ruining it for you. If you reach out and say something as innocent as a “Hi!”, chances are I am going to ignore it. I don’t like ignoring people. It doesn’t feel nice. But I don’t want to have to risk hearing some shmaltzy lines when I just want to play!

Does it happen the other way around? Guys – are you getting hit on by women when you play? I’d love to know! In the meantime, I’m going to go and get a game going, cause I just want to play!