As bashful as I am baffled, I look around to make sure that I haven't singled myself out as suitable mating material by dragging along a couple of cute puppies and some attractive young children.
No, I really am on my own. And I'm not carrying any red roses. And I don't recall splashing anything alluring "all over" before leaving the house.
Shucks, she really does mean that the new Lexus IS 250 is a lovely car.
Generation
Lexus certainly hope so. This car, the second generation of Lexus's best-seller, has renewed the luxury brand's battle in the entry-level executive saloon sector with the 3 Series of BMW and the C-Class of Mercedes.
It's an important sector, with an opportunity to win the heart of junior management types as they climb the ladder towards ownership of an S Class.
This new Lexus IS certainly has more poise than the latest offerings from its aforementioned competitors, leaning forward on its 18in Sport trim alloy wheels like a cat ready to pounce on its prey.
The effect is an Alfa Romeo-ish profile, almost like a saloon version of the recent Alfa GT.
Coupled with a prominent rear end and a top section which seems somehow much smaller than the lower regions, this car is something like a giant wedge. And while we're on the subject, I suppose you would say that it's a handsome car - the sculpted side windows giving it a particularly sporting stance. The sporting credentials are topped in this model - the Sport 250 - by twin tail pipes.
There are four doors and a boot rather than a hatchback, revealing an opening which looks narrow at first.
But it will actually swallow a respectable amount of luggage.
The car itself was let down by a poor rear window which would have made reversing difficult, if it wasn't for clever wing mirrors which tipped to an angle where they afforded a good view of the road behind.
Skin deep
Still, it's little wonder that the IS can turn heads. But given that beauty is only skin deep, what's the IS like on the inside?
It's a car for five adults which seems to have been pretty well bolted together. And I love the way the dashboard dials - luminous, like the arms of ghost train skeletons - twiddle and twirl when the ignition is switched on.
There's nothing confusing on the dash - no iDrive-type control screens - but just about most of the fancy gadgets the go getting executive needs.
I have really come to enjoy keyless entry and start/stop button ignition, even if I once thought both were pointless.
THE car I tested here had the standard six speed manual box (an auto box is available) although fifth and sixth seem as though they could have been dispensed with to make way for just one economy selection.
The 205bhp 2.5litre V6 petrol engine was responsive and smooth, but did not feel mind-blowingly energectic in such a big car.
BrakesThere was also a good level of feedback from the brakes, which didn't feel remote like those on the larger GS.
The SE and SE-L models have been on sale since November last year and were joined this year by the 250 Sport and the IS 220d model. The IS 220d Sport will be available from April 2006.
I personally think that this latest IS amounts to a change of pace for Lexus, meaning that they will really give their competitors a run for their money.
The lady in a Manchester petrol station has already given it the thumbs up - and I like it, too.
