#potbelly's

Yes, it was "gallant" of you to offer the two seats at your four top table during the lunch rush Although, to be quite frank, we could have easily fought through the masses in line and sat at the high tops on the other side of the store. But after you sputtered out loudly, "I'm not expecting anyone. What? You don't want to sit with me?" I felt like we didn't have a choice. So despite my better judgement, I side-eyed to my colleague (who answered me with a shrug) and sat across from you while keeping my body facing directly toward her. This should have been hint #1. 

"So you girls work around here?" 

"Yes." One word answers and no follow up?. Hint #2. 

"I'm a free-lancer. I work around here too." 

Silent Nodding. Hint #3. 

It was not that I wanted to be rude. But listen, my lunch time is a precious and limited amount of time where I can relax and talk to people I actually enjoy talking to. Small talk is something I truly hate, particularly when I'm eating. 

"So what do you girls do?" 

I know I visibly sighed at this point. Hint #4. 

My lovely colleague took the reigns and answered with a one word response. Silence ensued again. Hint #5. 

"Do you like your sandwiches?" 

(Source: communitythings) 

No. I am a food masochist. I like to go to different restaurants and stores and force myself to eat things I hate.

We mumbled some form of affirmation. 

You then proceeded to answer your phone on your blue tooth with "Hey, baby.", which temporarily caused baffled looks on both our faces and defense mode in my shoulders and back. You gushed on and on about your love for her. I quickly contemplated giggling super loudly to make her question who you were with but, I took the opportunity to whisper to my colleague to eat quickly so we could skidaddle. 

"This place is so expensive! $10 bucks for lunch?!" 

The following ensued. Hint #6. 

(Source: giphy)

(Source:bestgifreaction)

Overlooking the fact that you're in midtown MANHATTAN, where people high-five each other when they spend under $10 on any meal, I think it's super rude to complain about prices out loud in the establishment. Particularly, when the prices greet you when you walk into the store and no Potbelly employee forced you to buy anything. 

"See you girls around." 

Not if we can help it. Take the hint(s), sir. 

-Somie 

their sandwiches were the best

and we went so often that the head manager gave us free cookies every time we went in