Paramount Theatre
Dating Is Confusing
RECEIVED Mon., April 4, 2011
Dear Editor,
Dating is confusing. I’m not saying TV sitcom Lost confusing; I’m saying quantum mechanics confusing. Even defining what it is you’re doing takes a situational analysis by a licensed professional: “hooking up,” “we’re seeing each other,” “we’re seeing other people,” “dating,” “exclusively having sex,” “exclusive,” “Facebook official,” “Facebook status: In a relationship with …,” or “It’s complicated.” It’s another language filled with a variety of dialects with such a broad range of interpretations that even Rosetta Stone can’t guarantee results. The delirium begins with first dates, which are no longer social enterprises, mind you. They’ve become business transactions, interviews. Proper diligence must be done in advance – Facebook reviewed and mutual friends consulted as character references before a decision is made to invest one’s time. After all, why bother if the prerequisites on your checklist will not be met?
Not exactly the stuff fairy tales are made of, is it? Can you imagine Humphrey Bogart operating in such a fashion? “I was born when you kissed me. I died when you left me. I lived a few weeks while you loved me. Let’s go exclusive.” Or, “Here’s looking at you kid; let’s make this Facebook official.” Yeah, kind of loses something – that fire, that spark. It’s not that I think it’s unwanted; quite the contrary. It is, just without the risk that accompanies it, and therein lies the problem. Fire brings with it inherent risk. Every time you strike a match, there is a chance you will get burned by it. I’m not advocating playing with matches, but I’d rather suffer a few burns than endure a cold relationship built on a foundation of a well-appointed résumé. But a relationship with fire …. Sorry, just allowing my imagination to wander.
Dating is confusing. I’m not saying TV sitcom Lost confusing; I’m saying quantum mechanics confusing. Even defining what it is you’re doing takes a situational analysis by a licensed professional: “hooking up,” “we’re seeing each other,” “we’re seeing other people,” “dating,” “exclusively having sex,” “exclusive,” “Facebook official,” “Facebook status: In a relationship with …,” or “It’s complicated.” It’s another language filled with a variety of dialects with such a broad range of interpretations that even Rosetta Stone can’t guarantee results. The delirium begins with first dates, which are no longer social enterprises, mind you. They’ve become business transactions, interviews. Proper diligence must be done in advance – Facebook reviewed and mutual friends consulted as character references before a decision is made to invest one’s time. After all, why bother if the prerequisites on your checklist will not be met?
Not exactly the stuff fairy tales are made of, is it? Can you imagine Humphrey Bogart operating in such a fashion? “I was born when you kissed me. I died when you left me. I lived a few weeks while you loved me. Let’s go exclusive.” Or, “Here’s looking at you kid; let’s make this Facebook official.” Yeah, kind of loses something – that fire, that spark. It’s not that I think it’s unwanted; quite the contrary. It is, just without the risk that accompanies it, and therein lies the problem. Fire brings with it inherent risk. Every time you strike a match, there is a chance you will get burned by it. I’m not advocating playing with matches, but I’d rather suffer a few burns than endure a cold relationship built on a foundation of a well-appointed résumé. But a relationship with fire …. Sorry, just allowing my imagination to wander.
Jerry Jensen