This guy and I spoke briefly on a boardwalk area off the beach several months ago. Then a few weeks ago, we ran into each other again and spoke for about an hour - very fluid and engaging. He's a doctor who specializes in spines and joints, so he gave me a pseudo-exam right there (hands on my hips, moving my head back and forth, etc.), during which he told me I had nice hair. Anyway, he offered me his business card when I asked him whether he was in a group or alone. I simply took it. The conversation continued, then when we were getting ready to go our separate ways, he hugged me, and I enthusiastically told him how glad I was that we spoke and so forth. He said that he meets lots of people all the time, and you never know who he'll meet who may need a teacher, which is the job I am seeking. I then volunteered my telephone number for him to call me if that happens. He put my name and number right into his cell phone. We chatted a few more minutes, then he hugged me again. We walked towards our cars, and he made another comment about my hair, and I gently stroked down his arm and smiled as I walked away. End of story!!! What happened?

Well he certainly appreciated your hair!
What is it that leads you to be confused over this interaction?
Is it something to do with the blurring of professional and personal boundaries?
It may help to hear that it would be quite unethical for any doctor acting in a professional capacity to do an examination of a new patient on a boardwalk by the beach in public, to hug a new patient and allow them to stroke his arm.
I wonder whether the man was just being polite and leaving it up to you to contact him?
Perhaps you have some other ideas?

What happened?

He was flirting, showing obvious interest, and didn't want to seem too obvious so he gave you his business card, in hopes you'll call him.

He obviously wants you to call him.

Yes, he did seem to like my hair!

You do make some good points about his "professional" behavior on the boardwalk. In his defense, we were talking about some cases of his and my previous work as paralegal in medical malpractice cases. He was referencing certain conditions, like scoliosis, and he did a quick check of certain things with me. His pseudo-exam was in line with the conversation, and it only took a couple of minutes.

Regarding his possibly being polite and leaving it up to me to contact him, maybe. What I am confused about is that he seemed so interested and casual with his advances (or whatever you may call them) that I was surprised he did not call me. Even though I gave him my number to have in case he ran into someone needing a great teacher, he could still have used my number to check in, say hello or Happy New Year! I took the no contact as no interest, basically.

Hm-m. You seem convinced he wanted me to call him. Yes, he gave me his card, and I guess there was an implication for me to call. I don't call men early on, although I didn't mention that to him. I just didn't say anything after he gave me the card, and we continued the conversation. Knowing that I wasn't going to call, I managed to find a way for him to have my number, but he never used it to contact me for whatever reason.

Look he's a busy man, even if he had interest in you, he might've maybe lost track of your number? And since you NEVER called him, he took it as probably sign of no interest.

Why didn't you call him/text him? It isn't that hard, and it shows you clear signs that he is either interested or not.

It seems very confusing you're correct, but as far as I'm concerned. Either he's masterful player conquering young women hearts, or he's just very professional. From the looks of it, if he didn't call you could've at least tried.

Could you give me advice on my ex?

He seems to be a busy man; you're right. As far as losing my number, though, he put the information (my first and last name, telephone number, from Philly, looking for a teaching job, etc.) right into his cell phone while we finished our conversation.

I don't feel comfortable at all initiating contact in interactions. As bold and confident as he seemed to be, I would have thought he would have no qualms about furthering it on the telephone, even though a suggestion that we get together was never made that day.

I would be happy to give you advice on your ex. I am still fumbling with this new site for me, but I am sure I can find your thread.

I see where you have replied to other people, but I am having trouble finding your post.

I wonder whether he is thinking the same thing!

Hard to know I suppose.
Was there an expectation that, because he is the man, he would do the calling?

Of course he should do the calling! He has not really demonstrated shyness, although he may be hesitant to call me to ask me out or at least test the waters of the conversation, given that it wasn't even mentioned earlier.