So on a lazy Sunday afternoon and after an eventful week, I'm using this opportunity to wind down and catch up on my TV programmes, filling the gaps with some that I don't normally watch but which caught my interest.
Dinner Date (bear with me people!) is a show where people 'hope to find true love through their love of good food'. You have a singleton (we'll refer to him as 'John') who embarks on three blind dates where the prospective ladies will cook dinner for him; he selects his dates by choosing the best three menus from five. After attending all three dates, he would then choose his most compatible date and take them out to dinner to return the compliment.
Date 1 was a pleasant enough woman, articulate and good company. 'John' was worried about those awkward silent moments but this date proved otherwise. Bearing in mind they had never met before, rugby loving 'John' was instantly attracted and the feeling appeared to be mutual. Both used the word 'cute' to describe the other to the camera and they seemed to hit it off really well. He had a love of elephants and she happened to be wearing a necklace with an elephant pendant, he loved red wine and she unknowingly had uncorked his most favourite red wine, they both love travelling but most of all, she preferred rugby over football - result!! He wolfed down her food and really struggled to sit still and not help out - added result!! Seems as though the game was over before it even got started as they couldn't have had more in common and their chemistry was undeniable. She was definitely encouraged and wanted to see him again.
Date 2 was a Brazilian lady who at 6 feet tall was a good four inches taller than our 'John'; something that became quite obvious to both at the point of meeting. She had dressed down all the things she didn't like in a man and this included those who were noticeably shorter than her (which I suppose is fair enough at 6ft!). They eventually moved past this and her Brazilian menu seemed to go down a treat, considering he hadn't ever tried half the dishes before. Although it was a polite and enjoyable date, they seemed to have to work towards having chemistry which naturally, isn't something that requires work. She had in no uncertain terms said that she thought rugby was a gay man's sport (falling and rubbing up on each other - like footballers don't do the same?!) and although the date ended pleasantly, it didn't seem to spark off properly for either of them.
Date 3 (who looked to be the youngest of the three) loved the idea of cooking a meal for man who would rave about it to his friends. Looks were apparently not important, although she loved nice eyes and smile and was looking for a 'wow factor'. 'John' seemed to be immediately taken with Date 3 and couldn't take his eyes off her. However, she when asked said she doesn't fancy him but is looking forward to the dinner (not the date, then!). I think it's safe to say she really wasn't feeling him at all as there were clearly moments of 'awkward silence' but she was polite enough to see the evening through, reconfirming at the end of the night that he simply isn't her type. 'John' however was completely smitten.
Now it was time for 'John' to decide who he would like to see again and take out to dinner and the two who will be receiving a ready meal for one. I thought his choice was a simple one since he had found Date 1 attractive, mutually engaging and lots in common but needless to say; he went with Date 3 - the date who gave him the lowest score!!! I had to do a double take because I thought I had heard wrong - he even acknowledged that he was more flirty with her but wasn't sure whether or not it was received well!
To kill it further, Date 3 said that "if he chose me I would be flattered but relieved if he didn't". In the end, Date 1 (whilst eating her ready meal for one!) said that she felt strangely relieved and was in fact glad at the end result. I feel that she was trying to save face having already admitted to wanting to see him again earlier on.
To me, the show reflected exactly what's going on in today's world of dating. Once the element of choice is involved, the grass sometimes looks much greener when in actual fact it's a mirage. He was able to see all the qualities of Date 1 and the similarities that they shared and admitted to being attracted upon meeting and getting to know her, but it still wasn't enough to intercept the physical attributes that Date 3 appeared to offer, even though she wasn't as forthcoming. Maybe this is what my male friends mean when they say that men love a chase more so than someone who lets them know they're interested.
Am I the only one confused by today's world of dating?? Are there no old school morals or practices left? What do we single women have to do not to cross that very fine line of showing interest but still allowing the men their scope of chasing? What do you think BDSSers? Any tips you single men out there?
- Dates 1 and 2 are still single
- Date 3 stayed for dessert
- 'John' is still single!!
