Sunday, September 7, 2008

And there's a pretty little thing, waiting for the King

And I got one step closer in understanding one of the most intricate aspects of American culture: Dating.
There's a thing about American dating. We (the remaining part of the Northern hemnisphere, excluding Delaware, this is yours too) see it as an abstruse monstruosity of human egocentrism. It's kind of a myth we can't really believe in, but started to consider real since having first seen American Pie. Dating "à la American" is like a funny game you played with your cousins back when you were eight, the highlight of which was showing off your butt. But having grown older, wiser, and more potent, we just don't understand its workings any longer. Our American friends, though, seem to still practice it widely and with not much consideration for its collateral damages.
Let me be straightforward on what we believe to be the biggest gaming scandal in human history:
First and foremost, dating "Made in the US" is NOT exclusive. It's a no risk-diversification strategy. If you ask a dozen girls out, the chances you bring one home are proportionally higher. In business, we call such a bet "diversification": if one goes sour, you still have plenty of other opportunities waiting. That man accept this rule is no surprise (I am myself all excited about making use of it), but that women go for such a sex-bonanza is an oddity. I mean, you give us a blank check to make out and break away. Why should we stick around if we can get a cookie at every door we knock at?
Second, there is no commitment whatsoever. To use a friend's language, "you're just testing waters". The "no commitment rule" results in many dating pretty much anyone that meets a certin standard (another acquaintance admitted she's dating well below her ...). But not only that, if we don't have to commit to get where we want to go (and you very well know what I mean, you dirty little self), than why should we wait? And why should we stick around once we got it? And why put effort into it? I mean, who climbs the stairs if there's an elevator, huh? Girls, by requesting no commitment from the onset, you get none once you delivered!
From a French perspective, this form of dating is like a loophole in the men-women code of conduct. It's like a free lunch, better, like an all-time-free-lunch. Let me explain, once more. Forestalling risks lowers what I would call the "dare factor". "Dare you ask her out". "Do you have the guts". It takes much more courage to approach a woman when there is some form of commitment in it. Because you have to build an argument, a case, to defend your qualities as opposed to the ones of other mates. We call it seduction. You have to court her, sometimes over a longer period of time, before you ask her out. You minimize the risk of a "no" by taking more time and more care in preparing your "demand". It requires patience, ingenuity, patience, commitment to the task, patience, and a good portion of luck. But it is so much more rewarding when you finally got your "yes". And it is an indication of mutual interest, serious mutual interest. When you go on a date in France, exclusivity is a given for the entire length of the dating period. It is implied, mutually understood, a rule not to break. You therefore take more time to get to know the person of your covetousness.
Whatever system you prefer, it doesn't really matter. Because once you're in a country, you have to go by its rules, explicit or simply implied.
I have been asking tons of questions to figure out the rules of the game. And I'll further investigate the topic, and, of course, keep my fellow citizens updated on any progress I make. In the mean time, I might as well experiment with the system in real life. For the good of clarification, of course (I am such an altruist).

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