Showing posts with label random text messages from guys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label random text messages from guys. Show all posts

Monday, December 1, 2008

The Bendable Rules of Dating

Last night, during a family getaway in Jacksonville, my cousin C received a random text message from a guy she met recently at a bar. The “Happy Thanksgiving, Beautiful” missive was a surprise, given that he had abruptly told C it wouldn’t work between them because she wasn’t available on the night he wanted to get together.

As I listened to C’s tale, I couldn’t help thinking about some of the unexpected communications I’ve received from the opposite sex -- and how some dating rules seem to bend the longer that you’re single.

Like my cousin, I received a text message out of the blue in September from H, a 40-year-old real estate lawyer (and my ex’s best friend) who disappeared after we had reconnected two months before. The message was a last-minute invite to a Mets game. I laughed, amused by the brazenness of his request.

Strike Three: A last-minute Mets game invite led to another go-round with my ex’s best friend

A few days later, I opted to give H another chance -- something the more rules oriented me in my twenties probably wouldn’t have even considered.

With my 35th birthday less than two months away, I like to think I’ve become more open minded about giving chemistry some time -- specifically, a maximum of three dates -- to develop.

Most recently, I’ve gone out three times with a journalist of British descent. All of those evenings passed without any attempt by either of us at a kiss goodnight. I’m happy to exceed my three-date rule and see what happens on a fourth date. If no sparks materialize, then I’ll say sayonara. Because some dating rules, especially those governing the laws of attraction, can only be bent so far.