Tips for the Ol' Brush-Off? Anyone?

The Brush Off: BUT HOW DO YOU DO IT?

As I suggested toward the end of the last post, I had an issue I wanted to turn to the Blogoverse to solve. I figure this dedicated base of readers would offer sound advice on the subject as I'm certain more than one of you have stumbled into a similar situation.

I should preface this a touch: on Saturday, I got a hair cut. I was two months overdo for one and, when you've got short hair, IT SHOWS. Anyhow, when I go in to get those unruly strands tamed, my hair dresser straightens it all as well. I have naturally thick curls and a stubborn wave to my hair, so getting it straightened is a joyous occasion for me. That being said, it tends to attract attention from folks who would otherwise let me fly under the radar....

Now, I thought I was dressed in a solid, queer-influenced sense. It was a 50s-themed joint and I came dressed as a tomboy. I assumed this would send out signals to other queer ladies in the crowd and I tried to focus those clothing visual cues with that in mind.

No.

IT HAD THE OPPOSITE EFFECT.

I had three men hit on me. Three. While a part of me is flattered, another larger part is even more confused. And then it hit me: THE HAIR. There is some mysterious property to the straight hair that the straight boys respond to. Despite the otherwise queer appearance of the ol' outfit, the hair overwhelms all other social indicators.

And so, I am left with the question: how does one give a polite brush off to a gent who has just worked up the courage to even talk with one?

It's a queer conundrum. In essence, the situation tends to nudge you toward coming out to a complete stranger. While hitting the town and celebrating a close friend's birthday, the last thing I want to do is explain or defend my orientation to someone I will never meet again.

So.....

I'm curious to know about you, dear readers. Have you found yourself in this scenario before? What's your approach to the brush off? I am interested to find out what the other gay gals use in these situations. I wonder if there are similarities between the brush offs carried out by straight gals and gay gals. Oooh, I feel like this could be a case study.

So please, discuss!