Internet Friend Dates

Yesterday marked attempt #2 in my life to make a friend via the 'net. The first time was in California when I joined a comedy writing group that turned out to be, basically, not that funny. This time, I classed it up and instead of craigslist, I turned to an expat site. I found a new mom on there who had been to the birthing class I was then contemplating, and emailed to ask her opinion of it. She replied and also invited me for "tea." Not coffee, mind you, my uncivilized American friends, but tea, because that's what people from the UK call the event of meeting up in a cafe. The mom, L, was very nice and quite funny, incidentally. She brought along her very chubby and adorable 4 1/2 month old daughter. I expressed that I very much liked the size of her child: still a baby, but some sturdiness to her. I forgot to preface with my internal monologue regarding my wariness of dealing with my own baby when s/he is very tiny and fragile. Nevertheless, L took the compliment well. She assured me that she was a little scared of damaging her's at first as well. L was overall quite positive about having a baby in Germany, saying that the worst part has been the bureaucratic process. For example, she named her baby "Molly," which is not, apparently a Good German Name, so she had to give evidence that sane people have named and have been named Molly. Evidence? A print out from imdb.com with Molly Ringwald's film history. Our meeting ended a little abruptly because Molly was teething and, try as she might, L had trouble soothing her which got us kicked out of Starbucks. I always cry very softly into my folded arms when I'm in a Starbucks, so I don't know if the power to expel expressive sad patrons is unique to the chain in Germany or not. But, regardless, it was a nice time and I plan to follow up with L and her husband after the holidays for a little expat double date.