Always Ask for Hayley Raso’s Hair Ribbon
The news that Hayley Raso’s leaving the Thorns reminds me I have a story to tell:
I went to my first NWSL game (Thorns vs Red Stars semifinal in Chicago) this last season, and by some miracle, I managed to get front row seats. It was incredible! But the whole game, the guy next to me was shouting insults at my favorite players (I’m a Tobin fan, so I was cheering very loudly for the Thorns). We were so close to the field that the players could definitely hear him, but they’re all professionals and professionally good at ignoring him.
Anyway, the Thorns lost, and the players were visibly upset. It was awful to see. [Dear Universe, please stop hurting Emily Sonnett] Most of them hurried back to the locker room after thanking the fans as a team. Totally understandable, especially considering the guy standing next to me was saying anything he could to try to make them cry. I wanted to deck him.
Well, not every player booked it to the locker room. Hayley Raso stuck around to talk to the staff. The guy next to me tried to call her over, and to my great surprise, she went right up and started talking to him. I’m super shy and awkward, and it was my first game, so I had trouble getting over the fact that Hayley Raso was standing, like a foot away from me. I was lucky I managed to get her autograph and tell her I enjoyed watching her play.
After I asked for her autograph, the dude kept talking to her. Next thing I know, he asked if he could have the white ribbon she always wears in her hair. Maybe she hesitated. I don’t really remember, but sure enough, she took it off, signed it, and gave it to him. Just like that.
I was shocked. I didn’t know that was a thing you could ask for! Maybe it isn’t. There’s a line between being a supportive fan and just being a creep. I don’t have time to get into all that right now. But that rude, middle aged white guy walked away with Hayley Raso’s hair ribbon because he asked for it.
So, to all the shy young women out there: Whatever it is, you deserve it! Stop worrying about offending people by asking for things. Some asshole boomer is out there getting a free lunch he doesn’t deserve by demanding to speak with the manager, while you’re too scared to talk to a girl because you don’t want to offend her by taking up space. That’s bullshit. You are a gift to this world, and you make it less bright every time you hold yourself back.
So be polite if you must, but ask Hayley Raso for her hair ribbon.
TL;DR - One time this guy asked Hayley Raso for her hair ribbon after a game, and I forever regretted not asking her myself
