Dear Blake,
I’m an attractive, fit and emotionally intelligent 43-year-old woman who has been divorced for almost eight years. I have dated during that time, and even had a five-year relationship with someone I thought would be my future spouse, but who turned out to be a waste of time. I ended the relationship three months ago, and I’m ready to date again.
My problem is I have an aversion to online dating. Most of my relationships have been with men I’ve met via other means, but I feel I may need to use this tool to meet people since I’m so busy with work and being a single mother of two (ages 15 and 11). Joining a group or a club can be difficult, and I don’t have many friends who can fix me up. How can I make this process more enjoyable?
Signed, Joy
From Concord, New Hampshire
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Dear Joy,
In today’s society, online dating is the most common way to meet people. It can also be a nightmare that has to be dealt with using years of therapy… if not spending some time in an ICU. Here are my suggestions. On your first date, if you find him extremely unattractive, approaching him coughing while holding four of five bottles of medication. More than likely, he’ll never want to see you again, and he just might leave early, after telling you he has to make a quick phone call. Or, if you think he’s out for your money, let him see you “accidentally” drop a card for food stamps, and let him see a tin can in your purse, that you use to beg strangers for coins. Or maybe this idea. If you meet him for dinner, and you decide that you don’t want a second date with him, display some atrocious table manners by not using any silverware, and also go to a nearby table and grab handful of someone else’s food while they are trying to enjoy their meal. Just remember this. Online dating can be very dangerous and you never know what you’re getting. Some women live to regret it, but the unluckiest ones aren’t living at all. I hope this helps.
Blake