Ask Amy: Wondering widower won't wait by the phone

Dear Amy: After 31 years with my spouse, I'm now dating (I'm a widower).

There is a guy with whom I thought I had a good rapport. He reached out to me last week expressing an interest in getting together over the weekend. I responded that I'd like that, and gave him my availability.

I never heard back from him. I thought maybe he had an emergency, and I texted him Sunday night just to confirm that he was OK.

He replied, apologizing for the weekend getting away from him, and said that he had a work project due the next day.

I respect the fact that he takes his work seriously, but I am bothered that he did not let me know his weekend plans were changed.

I may be old-fashioned, but this situation just makes me think we are not as aligned as I thought. To me, a quick text letting me know he needed to cancel would have been common courtesy. I think he was telling me he is not that interested.

Is this how things work now? Maybe I am out of touch.

Even though modern technology has made it possible for us to be in touch frequently and instantly, basic human behavior and dynamics have stayed fairly constant.

If someone wants to be with you, he will leap over boundaries and deadlines to see you. And if an emergency keeps him away, you will be the first to know, because — yes! — you are just a text or a quick call away.

Dating is actually great practice at reading social cues.

For instance, you did not have "previously stated" plans. There was a vague and nonspecific plan floating over your weekend. (Not locking down plans is a cue.)

When this guy decided he didn't want to see you, he didn't bother letting you know. (Rudeness is a cue.)

Move on. When the guy is right for you, you will know it.

Dear Amy: Every summer a group (10 to 15) of us high school classmates get together for a casual picnic. Our 50th high school reunion was canceled until next year.

Silly me, with this pandemic, I assumed that the picnic would automatically be canceled. Instead, I was notified to bring a dish to pass and meet at the usual picnic tables.

I was shocked that these people (almost 70 years old, and many with careers in the medical field, would be so oblivious to the pandemic. Many of these classmates live out of town.

I refused to go. I pointed out that group gatherings and sharing food main dishes/serving utensils, public grills — during a pandemic — was a very bad idea. The person planning it was quite mystified and miffed at my decision not to attend. Why are people so oblivious during a pandemic? Did I overreact?

I don't know why some people are so oblivious, but you cannot control them. Your duty is to do your very best to take care of yourself. If you don't contract the virus, you won't spread it, and this is how you will help to take care of others. I hope your group gets lucky and that everybody stays safe and well.