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Notes -
So not to be rude but how did you appear to her? Perhaps she noticed something off about you as you did her, for example, an indicator of undersocialization or "I'm not a journalist". Were I this woman I'd think "why is random man here to talk about corporate politics (which I have nothing to do with) instead of being normal and purchasing drink?" This is one of many possibilities.
This reminds me of time I was confronted in the supermarket by a 4chan user. I simply commented they were out of vinegar and after pleasantries he goes on tirade about COVID, government manufacturing diseases, how gay people incubated AIDs and have many STDs, all while I give polite white person smile trying to avoid his company. He does not get hint (parallel) owing to undersocialization, which I assume from unkempt greasiness and ideological blinders, continuing even as we enter checkout line. Onlookers onlook in horror while I amusedly wait for bags to be checked, as I know the man from /pol/'s type and they do not.
I feel for the barista in this way, but perhaps I'm not privy to particulars of situation and assume too much. Still, consider me your barista.
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