Never Accept A Favor Without Knowing What It Is: Life Lessons For Today

Sometimes, just to get to know each other, people ask questions like, "What has been your most awkward moment?"

I hate this question, not because I have to share a story about humiliation but because literally almost every day of my life has an awkward moment involved somewhere.

Like today, for example:

I got a phone call from a close family friend, asking if I could do her a favor. She even pulled out the "I've known you for a long time, I really need this" card.

Sure, no problem, I've got your back.

"Well, we're hosting a foreign exchange student from Australia for a few days and he doesn't know anyone, do you want to come eat dinner with us and just talk to him?"

Boy with foreign accent? I'm there!

So I drive over to meet my friend and the Aussie. Dinner with them went fine, we were all chatting about life, asking the Aussie questions about Australian things, blah blah blah. I noticed Aussie boy didn't say much but as my friend is a conversation dominator, I didn't think much of it. Afterwards, we went back to my house and talked some more, when both my mom and my friend (the host parent), both suddenly had something come up, and before I knew it, they were gone.

As in left.

The two of us together, alone.

And that's when all the pieces came together: blind date

Oh crap.

So, I just keep talking to the Aussie, hoping and praying that soon someone will return. When I say "talking," what I really mean is, "I ask The Aussie questions and he answers in one word".

And this happened for four hours. Four hours. 240 minutes of this. Question: one word answer. Question: one word answer. Question: one word answer. Ask if he wants to do something, reply: whatever. After the interrogation, it has been decided that 1) This guy is nice but has no personality whatsoever and 2) That explains why we have nothing in common whatsoever. We decide to watch the Soccer World Cup. The last two hours pass in almost complete silence. Barely a single word passes.

Not only is this happening, but the kid's also sick with allergies (pretty much to anything in Tennessee), so as I'm having a one-sided conversation, the Aussie has red, watery eyes and has to blow his nose every few minutes. The guy's in pain yet while I offer something for help, all I get is: No, it's quite alright.

Usually, if something as awkward as this happens, I make up some excuse that I have to leave.

But wait, oh yes, I'm at my house. There's no escaping the torture at all. I'm trapped.

Finally, my friend comes back and says thanks for everything, something came up, blah blah blah, whatever I'm on to you. And when they leave, all I can do is give her a glance, summarizing the whole night: You owe me.