slooow on the uptake

i was hosting my drinks last night. i went to introduce myself to a new arrival and it was weird: the handshake lasted a long time. i was wondering whether i'd get my hand back. not that it was unpleasant, quite the opposite. but still. i totally missed that first clue.

the guy apologised for not having signed up but showing up nonetheless. was i going to throw him out? uh...no. i said i could live with the situation. to which he responded i should have said i'd let him stay if he paid for a drink. second clue, missed.

as i was leaving, he insisted on air kissing me as we do to say hello and goodbye in Geneva. third clue...you get the picture. i can't really explain it, i think there was something missing, but i ended up kissing him twice instead of three times. but it's three times, here!, he exclaimed. so i kissed him a third time, after which he inquired as to whether he could find me on the network site. well, yes, as i organised the drinks, it wouldn't be too hard. then he repeated his name, which made me smile - part of my job is remembering names and he had made an impression so i didn't think i'd forget. and then he said something on the lines of he'd find me and get in touch. and that's when it hit me. slow on the uptake, definitely. although it was a particularly hot day and i was exhausted. the only motivating thing i could think of saying was 'see you soon, then!' which, i realise now, was perhaps on the scant side, but at least i said something.