Dating Now-a-Days

Dating dat·ing [ dáyting ]  : the activity of going on dates: the activity of going out regularly with somebody as a social or romantic partner

I think I was born in the wrong generation.

When Grandma & Grandpa were younger, you went on a few dates (the guy called you, picked you up, paid for you, etc) and then you either realized they were the one... or they weren't. And it was done. There was no Facebook or Twitter to see what the person was up to (or stalk what people of the opposite sex they showed up in pictures with.) You went on a date, you spoke about whatever topics interested you, you maybe kissed goodnight, and then you waited for a phone call.

My grandparents got married after just a mere month or less together. Now, that's my kind of relationship! (Dude, where are you?!)

Today, dating is a dying trend.

Boys are more likely to pick you up drunkenly in a bar than actually get up the courage to take you to dinner. Living in NYC, my eyes have been opened up to the somewhat dating scene, but after drinks and potentially one or two dinner dates, the boys all resort to the same thing: trying to "hang out." I'll leave out the implications of what "hanging out" means because I'm sure you're all well educated enough to know what that implies (synonymous with "hooking up" is my only hint.)

Girls are the ones allowing all of this to happen, though. Those girls who give in to these boys are saying "yes, what you're doing is acceptable." And, half the time, these girls go home to their girlfriends complaining that a guy doesn't call or doesn't treat her the way she wants to be treated. But, we must demand respect to a certain extent, and practice it on our own bodies. In sum: a boy is going to jump to 2nd base if you let him.

With all of the texting and social media that is involved with relationships, it's no wonder there seem to be more instances of cheating, lying, and other issues that arise. Instead of picking up the phone if someone is upset, they resort to sending "cold" or "period-filled" text messages to get a point across, instead of actually saying what's upsetting them.

It's been said that social media is changing our world (most assume for the better.... instantaneous communication, worldwide communication, the spread of information etc) but what about the other side effects? What about the fact that with a click of a button someone can send a text message that they may have never said in person... or may never have sent had they waited two minutes to think through their response.This generation needs to use social media and these readily available forms of communication and put them to good use, but in the right contexts.

FYI Gentlemen: when you're trying to pursue a lady, don't text her. Call her. Ask her how her day was. You may come to see she is much more interesting and enjoyable once you actually know her (instead of jumping into bed.)

And, that is my rambling of my frustrations with my generation, and how I wish I was born in the 1930's :)

eat. drink. and one day married
M