#metoo
1998.
I’m living the dream as my first contract as a bar waiter is underway, working for the popular Carnival Cruise Lines, on the MS Tropicale.
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| Yes, this is me in 1998, on MS Tropicale. Full head of hair, bow tie and everything. |
After a late shift in the piano bar, I’m closing the joint all by myself when two inebriated girls walk in and become increasingly interested in my person. With no one else around, I’m an easy target. Soon after I reveal my country of origin, one of them starts pulling my uniform stating that she wants some Romanian d!@&. Now, I can’t say that I feel in danger anytime during this episode, but things could escalate pretty quickly and, given our respective statuses, not in a good direction for me. I could lose my job faster than my clothes over this. Luckily, my night manager is doing his rounds and saves the day - so to speak - when he steps inside the lounge.
1999.
I’m still a bar waiter sailing the blue waters of the Caribbean, this time on the MS Paradise. I can’t help but notice my cabin mate, Luis, starting to notice me. This is before Akon, so I’m just thinking he’s far away from home and family, being friendly. He even teaches me some Spanish. One day, he jumps in my bed saying he wants to play. I kid you not, he grabs a pillow and initiates a pillow fight. I’m confused and I tell him to chill. He then starts to pull my pants saying that he wants to do stuff I can’t talk about here to the main character in my underwear. My confusion instantly dissipates. I jump off the bed and tell him the playtime is over. Again, I didn’t feel like my life was threatened, but certainly not the most pleasant way to find out that my roommate is gay. You know me, I was never good at figuring out persons of the opposite sex. Can’t even say that I was upset, as I know gay men have great taste. You’ll have to excuse my stereotyping on this occasion.
Don’t go imagining now that this was daily routine on cruise ships. These are probably some of the safest environments to work in and I even know of a bar waitress getting a sea captain fired for improper behaviour.
Anyway, it’s funny how I remember this only now, but you have to understand that I've been leading an incredibly exciting life for many years and, ultimately, I tend to forget the least memorable events. As a matter of fact, when Luis was making his moves on me, I have already met my future wife and two short months later we were married. That’s the level of excitement I’m talking about.
I have to blame these and other similar incidents on my 1.92 m playful exterior, and I want to believe that they didn’t affect me in any way. But, in my latest years, I became aware that unfortunate events from my childhood and teen years have unequivocally impacted my life. So… you never know.
This is not inspired by true events. These are true events and any resemblance with actual persons, living or dead, is purely in purpose. The names and places mentioned above are not a product of my imagination, but they are as accurate as my memory allows.
1999.
I’m still a bar waiter sailing the blue waters of the Caribbean, this time on the MS Paradise. I can’t help but notice my cabin mate, Luis, starting to notice me. This is before Akon, so I’m just thinking he’s far away from home and family, being friendly. He even teaches me some Spanish. One day, he jumps in my bed saying he wants to play. I kid you not, he grabs a pillow and initiates a pillow fight. I’m confused and I tell him to chill. He then starts to pull my pants saying that he wants to do stuff I can’t talk about here to the main character in my underwear. My confusion instantly dissipates. I jump off the bed and tell him the playtime is over. Again, I didn’t feel like my life was threatened, but certainly not the most pleasant way to find out that my roommate is gay. You know me, I was never good at figuring out persons of the opposite sex. Can’t even say that I was upset, as I know gay men have great taste. You’ll have to excuse my stereotyping on this occasion.
Don’t go imagining now that this was daily routine on cruise ships. These are probably some of the safest environments to work in and I even know of a bar waitress getting a sea captain fired for improper behaviour.
Anyway, it’s funny how I remember this only now, but you have to understand that I've been leading an incredibly exciting life for many years and, ultimately, I tend to forget the least memorable events. As a matter of fact, when Luis was making his moves on me, I have already met my future wife and two short months later we were married. That’s the level of excitement I’m talking about.
I have to blame these and other similar incidents on my 1.92 m playful exterior, and I want to believe that they didn’t affect me in any way. But, in my latest years, I became aware that unfortunate events from my childhood and teen years have unequivocally impacted my life. So… you never know.
This is not inspired by true events. These are true events and any resemblance with actual persons, living or dead, is purely in purpose. The names and places mentioned above are not a product of my imagination, but they are as accurate as my memory allows.
love.more.willingly
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