Whatever happened to that whole dating thing?

 

Let’s skip the small talk and get right to the point. 

 

Where did college dating go?

The word “dating” is not readily found in the vocabulary of many college students these days.  It seems more like a relic from the school days of our baby boomer parents, likely to be associated with antiquated words like “courting”, “wooing”, or “going steady”. 

The guy is no longer expected to pick the girl up.  He’s no longer expected to pay for everything.  Or initiate the date, for that matter.  Long gone are the Mary Jane and Peter’s and Noah and Allie’s.  In their place we find casanovas that have girlfriend lists longer than John Mayer’s. Unfortunately, their affections last scarcely through the next morning.  

Not to say that dating is dead, though.  It has simply just become very VERY casual.  Dinner and a movie used to be the norm, but now meeting up at a party or studying together could be considered official “date” occasions. To complicate things more, our generation has come up with a dating language to specify exactly what your dating status is (i.e talking, hooking up, friends with benefits, open relationships, serious, etc.)

Let me just tell you right now that, no matter what you might be thinking, the ‘hookup culture’ is not really the issue.  That’s always been a college thing and it always will be.  Throw together social media, emojis, texting addictions, and mix them all into a college campus and you know you’re going to have a problem. Obviously a text that reads “<3 xox” doesn’t have the same effect as saying “I love you”.  Once we stop playing games, ditch the defense mechanism of apathy, and quit communicating with emoticons, we will be much better off when it comes to dating. 

Ladies, this one goes out to those of you who have lost all hope. The good, dateable guys are out there, you’re just looking in all the wrong places.  I know it may be a bit of a shock, but you’re probably not going to find the love of your life sitting at a bar. Or at a rowdy fraternity party.  It’s time for you ladies to get the real southern gentleman you deserve.  And the respect you deserve, for that matter. 

Don’t settle for less. Stop playing games.  Enjoy the dating game.#ChivalryIsntDead

 

 

Just a little advice/rant from your favorite southern gal. 

 

xx