Superficial dating standards
Issue date: 11/11/08 Section: Editorials
When we get all dressed up and ready to go out on the weekends, do we really just do it to better our self-image?
Not usually.
That person standing in front of the mirror in that perfect little black dress or in that crisp polo is the typical Denison single girl or guy, hoping to lock eyes – and maybe lips – with someone special.
It is an idea that is in the back of any single girl or guy's mind, no matter how much we want to pretend its not.
It’s amazing how that one glance can capture someone and make them want more.
Making that one perfect first impression is the ticket to prolonging the pursuit of another person.
So what makes that person first and foremost attractive?
Is it those eyes, that smile, that perfect body type, that hair, that attractive sound of their voice?
Well, that’s a different story for everyone.
But ultimately, everyone has that one special element that hooks them – colloquially known as "love (or whatever else it may be) at first sight".
Speed dating is just one of many places where first impressions are crucial.
And it better be a good one, considering you are competing with several other people who are going to try and beat your “best look” in a time span of three minutes.
It seems like we’ve been talking about first impressions based on physical appearance, but a relationship is so much more than that.
With this purely aesthetic impression flaunted upfront, is speed dating really the best way into a meaningful relationship?
Probably not.
It might lead to dating, but when you add speed in front of it, it becomes superficial rather than anything meaningful.
After all, is three minutes enough?
Is that even enough time to get really picked up or shut down?
Undoubtedly, if you were looking for a loving, caring next relationship at the Denison speed dating event, it most likely wasn't there.
You could have actually left wondering, "Do these crazy guys and girls really go to my school?"
It is debatable as to whether speed dating fosters any respect or merely invites hopeful (and maybe hopeless) perspectives as a cruel joke.
Some Denisonians certainly turned the event into a joke, especially the speed daters who allegedly decided that showing up drunk was a funny idea. However, had they shown some class and revealed their inner selves, maybe the event would have led to "love at first sight."
How many women want to show up to a formal event and, instead of prince charming, get some drunk guy in a polo inquiring of their regular Victoria Secret shopping list?
Not many.
So, what can be gathered from this experience?
It is obvious that some Denisonians attended the event to fool around, rather than seek a meaningful connection.
However, that doesn’t mean chivalry is dead.
As we've learned, the claim that there are “plenty of fish in the sea”, does not guarantee that all these swimming fish are perfect or even fit to be in a loving, serious relationship.
But singles, learn from this experience that you can't always throw out the line and expect a perfect catch. Keep your eyes open for goldfish, and try to avoid guppies and sharks.
Not usually.
That person standing in front of the mirror in that perfect little black dress or in that crisp polo is the typical Denison single girl or guy, hoping to lock eyes – and maybe lips – with someone special.
It is an idea that is in the back of any single girl or guy's mind, no matter how much we want to pretend its not.
It’s amazing how that one glance can capture someone and make them want more.
Making that one perfect first impression is the ticket to prolonging the pursuit of another person.
So what makes that person first and foremost attractive?
Is it those eyes, that smile, that perfect body type, that hair, that attractive sound of their voice?
Well, that’s a different story for everyone.
But ultimately, everyone has that one special element that hooks them – colloquially known as "love (or whatever else it may be) at first sight".
Speed dating is just one of many places where first impressions are crucial.
And it better be a good one, considering you are competing with several other people who are going to try and beat your “best look” in a time span of three minutes.
It seems like we’ve been talking about first impressions based on physical appearance, but a relationship is so much more than that.
With this purely aesthetic impression flaunted upfront, is speed dating really the best way into a meaningful relationship?
Probably not.
It might lead to dating, but when you add speed in front of it, it becomes superficial rather than anything meaningful.
After all, is three minutes enough?
Is that even enough time to get really picked up or shut down?
Undoubtedly, if you were looking for a loving, caring next relationship at the Denison speed dating event, it most likely wasn't there.
You could have actually left wondering, "Do these crazy guys and girls really go to my school?"
It is debatable as to whether speed dating fosters any respect or merely invites hopeful (and maybe hopeless) perspectives as a cruel joke.
Some Denisonians certainly turned the event into a joke, especially the speed daters who allegedly decided that showing up drunk was a funny idea. However, had they shown some class and revealed their inner selves, maybe the event would have led to "love at first sight."
How many women want to show up to a formal event and, instead of prince charming, get some drunk guy in a polo inquiring of their regular Victoria Secret shopping list?
Not many.
So, what can be gathered from this experience?
It is obvious that some Denisonians attended the event to fool around, rather than seek a meaningful connection.
However, that doesn’t mean chivalry is dead.
As we've learned, the claim that there are “plenty of fish in the sea”, does not guarantee that all these swimming fish are perfect or even fit to be in a loving, serious relationship.
But singles, learn from this experience that you can't always throw out the line and expect a perfect catch. Keep your eyes open for goldfish, and try to avoid guppies and sharks.
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