Tuesday, September 10, 2013

The Dating Game


As a mid twenty-something, I've had my share of time playing the dating game as well as many friends who either are playing or have played said game. My friends and I are no exception to the female rule and we tend to share our stories, no matter how humiliating, amazing, mortifying, or life changing they may be. With that in mind, today I'm compiling a list of ways and places it seems to me that people are meeting these days and how I view them as far as success rates go. Let's take a looksie.

Let's start with the classic:
The Bar Scene -

I have had many personal experiences in meeting dudes in the bar scene. Whether it's bars I frequent or bars I've only been to once, I can say I've certainly put my time and effort into this aspect of the dating game.

The Pros -  Chances are this person you meet will be all about having fun and living up the nightlife with you, if that's something that's important to you. This person is likely to have an extensive group of friends who also enjoys doing the same and will probably enjoy closing down the bar with multiple shots of Fireball with you.

The Cons - From my experience, these people can also be too much fun and have little interest in taking things much further than the club and bedroom. Another con is that typically when meeting someone at a bar, alcohol is involved which introduces beer googles into the mix right off the bat. This can be an issue once you wake up the next morning and realize that Casanova is really a deadbeat, retired frat bro who's just looking to get laid.

The way I see it - Choose your bar scene dates wisely. Be smart. Follow your gut. Don't be a one night stand... Unless that's all you want, then you go for it and tell me your crazy story the next day. Oh, and don't date anyone from your regular bar. Once that shit goes sour, things could get awkward. (Obviously I imagine that to be the case. I don't know from experience or anything...)


Online Dating

This one's probably the most popular here amongst my girls lately. I guess in today's world this one isn't unheard of anymore but it's still one of the ones I have the least experience in... which could, quite possibly, be from my experience in the whole bar scene thing I talked about above.

The Pros - At the very least, there's a good chance you'll get free drinks and food out of the bastard. Also, you don't have to exert too much energy trying to find someone to go on a date with because you have a plethora of candidates available at your fingertips.

The Cons - It's been said that there are many of these sites out there that are flooded with sexually frustrated, single bachelors who are just trying to get their manbits fondled. This isn't necessarily a con for all people in the dating pool, but I assume if you're a female wandering into this field of dating you are probably looking for a little something deeper. (I think there's a that's what she said somewhere in that last part.)

The way I see it - Throw back a glass or three of Chard before your date, bring pepper spray, keep your standards high, get your free meal, get your free buzz, and wish for the best.


The Gym Scene -

If your name is Yoga Pants Whitney this one will most likely never relate to you, pretty much because you don't frequent the gym and when you do your face looks like a freshly watered tomato. Really though, I've heard that the gym is a pretty promising place to meet someone from the opposite sex.

The Pros - Working out gives you endorphins, endorphins make people happy, happy people don't just go around killing their husband. Kidding, kind of. Really though, there's a good chance your perspective date has a bangin bod and is conscience about looking and feeling good.

The Cons - You might be sucking down a protein shake instead of a whiskey ginger so prep your liver for the letdown accordingly. Also, there's a good chance your prospect could be way more into himself than he is into you. AKA there's a good chance he's a meat head and we all know how dangerous those are.

The way I see it - Meeting someone at the gym could be pretty good for your motivation. Much like meeting someone at your regular bar, this could get slightly fuzzy if things went sour which is pretty complicated seeing as it's already a pain in the ass to get your ass to the gym in the first place. Trade in your whiskey for protein, it's time to get your date on.


Kickin' It Old School -

You know, the one who's always been there but it's just never worked? So, you go ahead and you, once again, test out the waters. Maybe your intentions aren't long term, maybe they are, but you know you're in good company and you know you'll have a great time without any awkward pauses or moments of embarrassment.

The Pros - Aside from the comfort, there's a sense of excitement that comes from the thought of finally figuring it all out and seeing the pieces fall into place. You know everything about each other and you know what the other likes. This is a pro in many aspects of kickin' it old school, if you catch my drift.

The Cons - There's always the question "why didn't it ever work before" that you'll have to get passed before you can move forward. There's also the chance that the two of you will always just be stuck in between that place of single and together, which could get confusing for at least one of you.

The way I see it - Unless you want to look back and say "what if" ten years from now when you run into each other at your twentieth high school reunion, you've got to jump. Go for it. What do you have to lose? You've known each other forever and you know how to get over the other person already. Most of all, you know there's a glimpse of a chance that this time might just be the time.



Now, obviously there are many other places to meet people but, like I said, these just seem to be the popular ones amongst my friends and peers lately.


Be sure to visit me at today while I Instagram my way through the day.

Peace out, Girl Scout.

36 comments:

  1. September 10, 2013 at 2:31 PM

    I met my boyfriend on a happy hour boat cruise (I guess that would be a floating bar?). But typically I do not like meeting guys out. Friendship first works.

    Also I think meeting the guy from work can get realllly awkward really quickly. Or maybe it's just because I dated a huge jerk at work. He left the company though so that's a plus.


    Big Apple, Little Bites

    Reply
  2. September 10, 2013 at 2:31 PM

    I've heard of a lot of people my age (20) meeting guys/girls online...I honestly find it a little bit strange. I always thought of "online dating" to be a last resort but hey, I guess it works for some people!

    Reply
  3. September 10, 2013 at 2:32 PM

    "obviously there are many other places to meet people"

    LIKE WHERE? Asking for a friend. I have a feeling kicking it old school is your favorite brown chicken brown cow. WINK.

    Reply
  4. September 10, 2013 at 2:35 PM

    But I just can't wait for the follow up of this.

    Reply
  5. September 10, 2013 at 2:43 PM

    I met my Mr. Man when we worked together, I know all kinds of people who meet there significant others at work. Also has the potential to be awkward when you are no longer a thing.

    Reply
  6. September 10, 2013 at 2:43 PM

    hahaha you just summed up my entire love life!!!

    Reply
  7. September 10, 2013 at 2:45 PM

    Tell me more about this kicking it old school business.. no really. Please do elaborate.

    Also, online dating makes me want to poke my eyeballs out. Look for a blog post on that soon ;)

    Reply
  8. September 10, 2013 at 2:59 PM

    meepity boop.

    Reply
  9. September 10, 2013 at 3:00 PM

    Love this post! SO TRUE! I haven't tried online dating yet, but damn I might as well. I feel like I've just about exhausted all my other options.

    Reply
  10. September 10, 2013 at 3:01 PM

    I love your brain.

    Your blog entries make me happy.

    I met my hunk of burning love at the gym. It's been the best because it's both of our passion. The bar thing is an epic fail for me. I met a guy one time and by the end of the night around 2 AM he was drunk, driving me (I know, I know) to meet his mother.

    So, that ended that.

    Kisses!!!

    Reply
  11. September 10, 2013 at 3:06 PM

    Haha... I blogged just today about one of my online dating rejects/stalkers that I can't seem to get rid of. The more I think about it, will definitely work on a whole post for that. I have some insanely hilarious stories. Don't do it people... just don't!

    Reply
  12. September 10, 2013 at 3:12 PM

    im always curious where i would meet someone if i was single...it seems SO FLIPPING HARD

    i met kurt summer before i started college...he was the photo ID guy and he found me on myspace after he took my school ID picture...can you say CREEPY?? LOL 7 years later tho i guess creepy works.... haha

    xoxox

    Reply
  13. September 10, 2013 at 3:15 PM

    I met my husband through his mom! She works at my dentist and during a routine cleaning asked if she could give my number to her son.. The rest is history. Before that this whole dating scene baffled me... Hard to meet normal people who aren't just looking for one night stands!

    Reply
  14. September 10, 2013 at 3:31 PM

    I met my husband online, though through a mutual friend. Still ... if it wasn't for myspace, we never would have talked. I'm just glad I'm not single trying to pick up guys at my gym ... seems like lately, the only ones there are the 60+ crowd ... I like 'em older ... but not grandfatherly!

    Reply
  15. September 10, 2013 at 3:43 PM

    You'll be happy to know that I met my fiance at a bar on karaoke night 7 years ago and we are getting married this November. Don't give up on the bar scene! He had a good job, a car, and his own place too. Just thought I'd mention that ;-)

    Reply
  16. September 10, 2013 at 3:45 PM

    i now love this post even more. you know why.

    I think meeting guys sucks because guys these days are literally the worst at approaching girls.

    Reply
    Replies
    1. September 10, 2013 at 4:08 PM

      PREACH.

      I've been trying this whole online thing, and they still suck. I'm going back to the bottle of wine and netflix. Boys are dumb.

  • September 10, 2013 at 3:51 PM

    LOVE this post!
    And it's weird that online dating is getting more popular, but I'm okay with it.

    Reply
  • September 10, 2013 at 3:57 PM

    Met my boyfriend at a party at his house. Unfortunately I showed up needing to borrow his wifi + a quiet room to finish a paper and sumbit it by 12.

    Reply
  • September 10, 2013 at 4:25 PM

    I had my fair share of free dinner dates with online creeps, but I also ended up meeting my husband.

    typical scene anywhere you go, sift through the trash until you find your treasure!

    As for the rest of these. SPOT on. Love this!

    Reply
  • September 10, 2013 at 4:29 PM

    Love this post, Whitney! As for online dating - the first guy I met wound up being a girl I know, I know - I didn't think Catfish happened in real life either. The second guy I met? We've been dating for almost a year, and have plans far into the future :D It's very much worth it, just be patient!

    Reply
  • September 10, 2013 at 4:36 PM

    I met my husband online without even trying. He had just moved to the area and started grad school at the same college I was getting my undergrad. He didn't know anybody so he made one of those Yahoo personal pages not really looking for anything but to just see what would happen. I had one too, but only used it out of curiosity for what kind of response I would get (and yes, it was a ton of weirdos)...Anyways, he found me and contacted me, then we started talking on Facebook, then the phone. One day I found out we were actually in the bookstore at the same time, but didn't bump into each other. After about a month of getting to know each other we finally met face to face, and the rest is history. We're coming up on our 5 year dating anniversary and 3 month wedding anniversary :)

    Reply
  • September 10, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    Mad props to anyone who actually met their significant other at the gym. I go in that place like DON'T TALK TO ME EVER OR I WILL CUT YOU. I'm sweaty, I smell, it's disgusting.

    Reply
  • September 10, 2013 at 5:05 PM

    I love that you used the Legally Blonde quote! Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't. :)

    Reply
  • September 10, 2013 at 5:12 PM

    Love this!!! Dating sucks sometimes.

    Reply
  • September 10, 2013 at 5:17 PM

    Never been brave enough for the online thing, still convinced it's all pedos hahaha... Also the kickin' it old school way, my motto is if it didn't work the first time, it's not going to work again. There's a reason we broke up. Maybe I just have no soul... The gym sounds nice though ;) x
    http://mustforwanderlust.blogspot.ca

    Reply
  • September 10, 2013 at 8:54 PM

    Way to sneak in that Legally Blonde quote haha!

    Reply
  • September 10, 2013 at 9:07 PM

    I joined a great gym frequented by the types of guys I thought I wanted to date and you nailed it exactly, they love themselves way too much!

    xx
    Kelly
    Sparkles and Shoes

    Reply
  • September 10, 2013 at 10:53 PM

    Great summary! I actually met my boyfriend in the bar scene 5 years ago! Btw you may like to check out a post I just did about 'life in my mid 20's' (I'm 26!)

    Here is the link if you would like to check it out >>

    http://rowdyfairy.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/life-in-my-mid-20s.html


    Rowdy Fairy Blog

    Reply
  • September 10, 2013 at 11:30 PM

    bahaha yesssss I love it!!

    Reply
  • September 11, 2013 at 3:08 AM

    You didn't mention work! Without having any link to it, I think I read somewhere a while ago that the work place is one of the top places to meet your significant other.
    I know I met my husband there (me as a receptionist, he as a guest).

    ~Marit
    Happy Small Things

    Reply
  • September 11, 2013 at 5:35 AM

    I am crying with laughter. I met my husband when I was 16 so I have no real stories. I used to bartend though and can tell you that shit goes south FAST when the regulars start dating the other regulars. Don't do it! It's uncomfortable for everyone but mostly the bartenders.

    Amanda - diaryofanangrypregnantlady.blogspot.com

    Reply
  • September 11, 2013 at 7:14 AM

    I meet most guys out at bars I must admit... although that's probably why it never works out hahahaha

    www.bohemianmuses.blogspot.com

    Reply
  • September 11, 2013 at 9:26 AM

    i'm just so happy that i never had to do any of this.
    because i'm lazy. CHEERS.

    Reply
  • September 11, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    Keep your standards high and your expectations low.

    I actually met my man online. Right before I was going to give up and stay single forever.

    Reply
    Replies
    1. September 12, 2013 at 11:42 AM

      This is how it went for me as well! Online dating is fine if you are a good judge of character and can read between the lines well. It's about asking the right questions.

      Tiffany
      www.domesticdysfunction.net

Thanks for the love - I love hearing from each and every one of you. It makes my day!