I have had some excellent conversations at paint counters.

Years ago, at a small independent hardware store near my home, I debated a specific shade of blue – for my bedroom walls – with the man who worked there. It was a very bright blue, and he was concerned.

He said something like, “What would a guy think if you brought him home for the night? I’d feel like I was going to bed with a circus clown.” (I did not buy that paint.)

More recently, I was at a local Home Depot trying to find a shade of green, and a man at the counter, who told me he was a retired lawyer, wound up explaining that day’s events in the Karen Read trial. He also lectured me about what he felt the Globe was missing in its legal coverage. I left checkout that day with a lot of paint and many editorial ideas.

This is a long way of saying: maybe the guy’s just being nice because he’s at work and you’re a customer. Maybe he’s a good talker and enjoyed your company for a few minutes.

It’s also possible he is smitten with you and hopes you’ll return. (For the record, this situation seems very different than the woman who had the crush on the man at the cheese shop.)

I like the idea of bringing the Dunkin’. I love the idea of you getting a better look at his hand, without gloves, when you return.

You could also skip that step and say, “I’ve been wondering if I’m allowed to ask you for coffee. I’ve enjoyed this process and would love to go out.”

That option is the most direct. But if you appreciate his paint counsel on a practical level, you might want to wait until your projects are over.

I’d probably start with Dunkin’ and then move to step two.

Please keep me posted. 

(Also: if this Home Depot is in the Boston area, let me know and I will go there and find some awkward way to find out if he’s partnered. I would do that service for you.)