emlykate

As we get closer to the holidays, we get closer to the "Explain why you're still single season." It seems to have come early this year. Might be because I'm away from my family (and most people I know) they think that it must be easier (not harder) to find men. Why does the world want me paired off? Why are people at work that I barely know and have only recently met interested in my love life? Where is it written that if you're 25 and want to have a family you had better get cracking or it's just not going to happen?

But anyway. I've already evaded, said "no, there isn't anyone special right now," said "no, I really don't think Ian and I will ever get together" (while silently screaming "don't you think we would have done that by now if we were going to!"), said "no, dating isn't high on my priority list right now" and finally, I've stooped to the ultimate "I don't have any nice way to put this" answer and made the customary: "I don't date well" statement, which isn't generally accepted. And I don't. Date well that is. "Dating" is pretty much synonymous with "Meat Market" as far as I'm concerned, because, really, you're making decisions based on the presentation rather than the content or the quality of the package. I'd much rather get to know a guy with no strings attached and then all of a sudden realize that "hey, we're spending a whole lot more time in private conversation together" or "hey, I'd really just like to hang out with just him this time" or some other subtle thing rather than "ok, he's cute, let's do dinner and then I'll decide if he's a waste of my time later."

So yeah, prepare for the holiday season. Think carefully about the answers to the loaded questions. Come up with better ones than me. It'll save you in the long run.