Playing Games

Being that I am still fairly new to the dating scene again, so many of my friends, both male and female, have spent many hours in trying to assist me in the art of "the game."  Personally I enjoy playing games but detest all of the rules, the more complicated, the less likely I will want to play.  Clear-cut, simple, non-complicated, that is me for the most part.  If I am required to follow "rules" I want to at least know what they are so I can follow them as precisely as possible.

Unfortunately that is not the case with dating as the rules are more gray, if anything, and continually change.  Why must I pretend to not like someone when I do, not answer when they call when I want to talk, ignore a text for a few days, or worse, pretend to be busy when I am not and would like to see them?  It is simply exhausting all of the rules that I am told to follow by everyone, leading me to absolutely abhor these games.  It is like trying to find a bargain basement sale of Manolo Blahnik shoes. The only way to find the sale is with the use of an encrypted map, a map that has streets and landmarks that have changed.  Nothing is decipherable on this map and the location continues to move.

I understand and appreciate the idea, the necessity of the hunt, if you will, between a man and a woman.  However, even a hunter and its prey realize you need some form of direct, understandable, and reliable information and direction to lead you through the forest either away or towards one another.  Otherwise, you won't ever make it out of the woods. 

Image found here

How long do you take to reply?

Lately it seems like I am always waiting for someone to return a call or text me back.  Why are they always taking so long in responding?  I am completely perplexed by this phenomena. Before, when everyone didn't have cell phones, droids, iphones, or ipads at their side 24/7, we relied on speaking with people in person or via a land line.  If someone sent you a letter you were ecstatic to receive it knowing they took the time to write.  You always answered your phone at home or ensured that you returned the missed call immediately upon arriving. 

Personally, when someone emails, calls, or texts me, I am always quick to respond.  I believe it is polite, just good manners really, to respond to the person as soon as I can.  After all, they have taken time out of their own busy day to think of me.

Being that we are in the holiday season, we tend to reach out more than usual, thinking of others we may have lost touch with over time.  Do yourself a favor and take a moment and think of the person reaching out to you during the season and respond with warmth, kindness, and above all timely.  Don't leave them hanging like a forgotten, dropped phone call. 

Phone image found here.