My neighbor is just starting dating after a 30-year absence. Two weeks ago she joined a service that matches her and men with comparable intellect, education, income and personality. She’s had dates with three men. She had questions for me — many questions! Frosh: “You have been dating a lot longer than I have. I’m…
Dating chemistry
Getting to know a man through his humor
A recent press release announced a new dating site, Funny Passions, for “singles with a sense of humor.” This strikes me as odd. I’ve never met anyone who thought him/herself humorless. Nearly everyone thinks they have a sense of humor, even if it’s obscure. Why is this site different? The release says “an entire site…
“What are you wearing?”
I’ve been asked this on the phone by more than one potential suitor. Sometimes he’s met me, but more often he hasn’t. I’ve decided it’s part of the fantasy he’s creating. What does he want me to say? The truth — gardening togs? Baggy sweats and warm socks? Flannel nightie and fuzzy slippers? I tried…
Do you need your sexual pilot light lit?
In an interview with Gail Sheehy about her book Sex & The Seasoned Woman she talks about having “a pilot-light lover — a transitional figure who comes into a mid-life woman’s life and reawakens her excitement about sex and love. He usually doesn’t last. He’s not a keeper, but she has to celebrate his role…
Dating’s revolving door
Some of my friends tease me about the revolving door of my dating life. It is true that men come and go through my life, some rather quickly, others lingering longer. (See “They come, they go.”) My pals have asked “Why? Why don’t more men stick around?” Good question. Some have. But I think I’ve…
Do you hide your “light” from a date?
A gal pal asked me, “How do your dates respond to your accomplishments?” I responded, “Most don’t know about them.” “Really? Why not?” “Because I don’t tell them.” “Why?” “First of all, it’s not like I’m a Nobel laureate, Supreme Court judge, Academy Award nominee or brain surgeon. My accomplishments pale compared to other people…
What’s your definition of romance?
Often men say they are romantic in their online dating profiles. I’ve learned this means different things to different people. One may think that calling every day is romantic, while the other is expecting regular cards, letters, and candle-lit dinners. It seems men and women often have different concepts of romance. This is so common,…
When you’re clear on what you want, it appears
In the past year I attended both the Toronto and San Jose Film Festivals. I loved screening yet-to-be-released films followed by live commentary from the writers, directors and stars. I delighted in the experience so much, I thought, “I’d like to be with someone in the movie business. It would be fun to hang out…
Rocket Man
I’ve become fond of a man online who blows things up for a living. Tiny things. Miniatures. For the movies. And he’s won an Oscar for his demolition efforts. Isn’t this nearly every man’s childhood dream? To make a living destroying things? How fun! He specializes in igniting things. He says he “paints with fire.”…
Online dating time equivalent to dog years
Sometimes you hit it off with someone online and you exchange a flurry of emails. That is if you ignore the advice in The Rules for Online Dating. Authors Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneide tell women never to respond to an email from a potential suitor before 24 hours pass. Well, I’ve ignored The Rules….
“Men are putty” — sometimes silly putty
A male pal shared that he was dating a new woman. He said he was really drawn to her, because, in part she was into him! Isn’t it interesting how attractive someone can become when he or she is attracted to you? He excitedly shared that she was happy when he called, said she enjoyed…