If bad blogging Karma exists, I’ve caught it.

Last month, I posted The Perils of Un-drunk Dialing, in which I poked fun at an ex-coworker for being less-than-adept in her use of voice mail and warned against misplaced drunk and sober texts, calls, etc.

Last week, in my Dating Dammit List, I shared: “If you have a laugh that sounds like a cross between Winnie the Pooh and Scooby Doo…I don’t want to date you.”

Yesterday, April Fool’s Day, I inadvertently texted my Mr. Scooby Doo, also known as Charlie, instead of my sister Charlene, nicknamed Charley.

Zoinks!

The reasons behind my stupidity are many – none worth explaining. I discovered my blunder during this exchange:

Me: “Yes, I can take Taylor tomorrow.”

Mr. Scooby Doo: “I’m sorry, but I’m pretty sure this text isn’t for me.”

Me: **shudder in recognition of the mistake**

Me: “Oops!”

Mr. Scooby Doo: “For the life of me, I don’t remember who you are.”

Me: **silence**

I didn’t respond for the very basic reason that I didn’t want nor intend to have this conversation. I had appropriately marked his number in my phone as – DO NOT CALL OR RESPOND.

Many might say his reply text was an honest one – who the hell is this gal? Others might argue that his response demonstrated a fundamental dating defense mechanism due to the fact that, after meeting first online and then in person, he forced me to turn him down for a second date, repeatedly.

Mr. Scooby Doo: “This was great. You’re great. **Winnie-the-poohish laugh** I would love to hang out again.”

Me: “I really appreciate you driving up to meet me in person, and you’re clearly a wonderful person. I just don’t feel the chemistry that I think is needed.”

Mr. Scooby Doo: **3-minute monologue of why my instincts were wrong and why we should go out again**

Me: **silence**

Sense a silence theme here?

During our date, I finally relented after a minute or so of “playing chicken” across the table and him trying to Yoda: “Consent to a bad second date, you will. Hmmmmmm?”

Me (calling on my best Jedi powers): “Well, it’s been wonderful meeting you in person. We should get going so you can drive back home. It’s two hours away, and I want to make sure you get back at a decent hour.”

I believe good dating Karma comes from being polite but honest about intentions, as uncomfortable as delivering that news may be.

Whether it comes down to securing another date or recognizing that a “good” relationship has “gone wrong” based on differing life goals, tell the truth.

That said, occasionally pausing and simply saying nothing is the kindest approach.

What do you think? Should I have responded to his last text? If so, what would have been appropriate? Have you had similar experiences?