When the mobile phone was invented it made winning the affections of a girl somewhat less daunting. No longer did men have to sit on the settee with the rest of the family for an hour or two in the evening, subtly being quizzed by protective parents (especially protective dads) only to retire home having spoken only a few words to the object of their affections (OOA) with the prospect of many a repeat performance to endure before one could hope for a sweet kiss in the doorway at the end of the evening. Actually I’m not sure they had to do this before the mobile phone was invented but they definitely had to do it before the phone was invented. Definitely.
Courting. It’s such a sweet word. It readily brings back distant but crystal clear memories of my childhood. No, not because I went courting when I was a little girl but because my childhood was filled with hours spent watching wonderful musicals with songs like “Going Courting” in them (that’s from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in case you’re interested – it’s amazing). I remember when my parents or grandparents used to use it when they were trying to get out of me who I was seeing at various points throughout my teenage years. But being 16, this word seemed so unbelievably ancient, cobwebby and un-cool that it made me want to be sick. Now it seems so full of innocence and so nostalgic; funny how things change the older you get!
Anyway back to my point (there is one here somewhere, I promise). After the mobile phone was invented, men could just call their OOA and arrange meetings without all the hassle of pretending to (in most cases) be a gentleman and also avoid the scrutiny of protective parents. This was fine. It suited all parties involved. At the end of an encounter with a prospective OOA a guy would ask for their phone number and then take it from there.
Was this not casual and easy enough? Apparently not. Not now that Facebook has been invented. Things have become so casual now that a guy seems to think that no effort needs to be input at all and a Facebook friendship can be formed instantaneously. I’m possibly being slightly harsh as I’m sure there are men out there that enjoy the more traditional way to a girl’s heart (come on, there’s got to be at least 1 or 2?) I’ve been formulating this conclusion recently stemming from a guy I went on a date with a couple of weeks ago who at the end of our first date asked if we could be Facebook friends (I said no, he has my number, he can call me and subsequently I haven’t heard from him but that’s another story). But this hypothesis was confirmed today when a guy stopped me on the way back into my office. He stopped me with 1 statement
“Good evening beautiful”.
I know, I know, this is lame and a lot of you will also note it as unoriginal but I’m kind of a traditionalist when it comes to these things in case you haven't already guessed and so this kind of thing will usually tease my curiosity and also, how rude is it if you don’t at least acknowledge it!? So I turn to smile but keep on walking.
“I’ve seen you around and always wanted to tell you that I think you’re beautiful”.
Is he really talking to me? I’ve been in work sat hunched over my desk, only stopping for loo breaks, for about 11 hours, I have no make-up on and am wearing a ridiculous maxi dress that trips me up every step I take. I imagine these factors actually make me look like a comatose troll with one foot. But adhering to my previous point about being rude, I at least stop now and turn around. I have never seen this guy before (so it’s kinda creepy that he says he’s seen me around).
“Can I add you on Facebook” is the next instalment of his chat up line.
Is he kidding? No! of course he can’t add me on Facebook! So that’s what I say.
“Why not?” he asks.
I don’t want to be rude and so coming up with a valid reason without being rude has sort of stumped me.
“Because I don’t know you…?” comes my weak reply.
“Warren, my name is Warren. Now you do.” I manage to get myself out of it with some ramblings about a name being a word and friendship is at least based on conversation which I really don’t have time for right now. Phew.
I don’t want a prospective date to be able to see everything about me, all my friends, all my drunken photos, all my stupid updates. Not before we’ve even gone on a date! Although I guess maybe they’re being quite clever in being able to veto any girls whose Facebook personalities don’t match their ideal. Hmmm, maybe men are actually on to something. No, that would be weird, I’m sure they’re just lazy.
So has dating really come to this? I hope not otherwise as well as clearing out my phone of number of guys that haven’t worked out (they barely make it passed 1 or 2 dates at the moment) I’m going to have to start de-cluttering my facebook as well.
Courting. It’s such a sweet word. It readily brings back distant but crystal clear memories of my childhood. No, not because I went courting when I was a little girl but because my childhood was filled with hours spent watching wonderful musicals with songs like “Going Courting” in them (that’s from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in case you’re interested – it’s amazing). I remember when my parents or grandparents used to use it when they were trying to get out of me who I was seeing at various points throughout my teenage years. But being 16, this word seemed so unbelievably ancient, cobwebby and un-cool that it made me want to be sick. Now it seems so full of innocence and so nostalgic; funny how things change the older you get!
Anyway back to my point (there is one here somewhere, I promise). After the mobile phone was invented, men could just call their OOA and arrange meetings without all the hassle of pretending to (in most cases) be a gentleman and also avoid the scrutiny of protective parents. This was fine. It suited all parties involved. At the end of an encounter with a prospective OOA a guy would ask for their phone number and then take it from there.
Was this not casual and easy enough? Apparently not. Not now that Facebook has been invented. Things have become so casual now that a guy seems to think that no effort needs to be input at all and a Facebook friendship can be formed instantaneously. I’m possibly being slightly harsh as I’m sure there are men out there that enjoy the more traditional way to a girl’s heart (come on, there’s got to be at least 1 or 2?) I’ve been formulating this conclusion recently stemming from a guy I went on a date with a couple of weeks ago who at the end of our first date asked if we could be Facebook friends (I said no, he has my number, he can call me and subsequently I haven’t heard from him but that’s another story). But this hypothesis was confirmed today when a guy stopped me on the way back into my office. He stopped me with 1 statement
“Good evening beautiful”.
I know, I know, this is lame and a lot of you will also note it as unoriginal but I’m kind of a traditionalist when it comes to these things in case you haven't already guessed and so this kind of thing will usually tease my curiosity and also, how rude is it if you don’t at least acknowledge it!? So I turn to smile but keep on walking.
“I’ve seen you around and always wanted to tell you that I think you’re beautiful”.
Is he really talking to me? I’ve been in work sat hunched over my desk, only stopping for loo breaks, for about 11 hours, I have no make-up on and am wearing a ridiculous maxi dress that trips me up every step I take. I imagine these factors actually make me look like a comatose troll with one foot. But adhering to my previous point about being rude, I at least stop now and turn around. I have never seen this guy before (so it’s kinda creepy that he says he’s seen me around).
“Can I add you on Facebook” is the next instalment of his chat up line.
Is he kidding? No! of course he can’t add me on Facebook! So that’s what I say.
“Why not?” he asks.
I don’t want to be rude and so coming up with a valid reason without being rude has sort of stumped me.
“Because I don’t know you…?” comes my weak reply.
“Warren, my name is Warren. Now you do.” I manage to get myself out of it with some ramblings about a name being a word and friendship is at least based on conversation which I really don’t have time for right now. Phew.
I don’t want a prospective date to be able to see everything about me, all my friends, all my drunken photos, all my stupid updates. Not before we’ve even gone on a date! Although I guess maybe they’re being quite clever in being able to veto any girls whose Facebook personalities don’t match their ideal. Hmmm, maybe men are actually on to something. No, that would be weird, I’m sure they’re just lazy.
So has dating really come to this? I hope not otherwise as well as clearing out my phone of number of guys that haven’t worked out (they barely make it passed 1 or 2 dates at the moment) I’m going to have to start de-cluttering my facebook as well.
And for your amusement, here's a few clips from Seven Brides...played to the "Going Courting" song. Yes, I've watched this well over 100 times! (Is it any wonder I'm a traditionalist?! N.B. boys, I don't reccommend the kidnapping of OOAs!
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