Get together
By: Alistair Hay
Issue date: 11/14/08 Section: Opinions
People seem to laugh about the dating situation at Furman because, as it appears, it is either non-existent or completely exclusive. There seems to be no middle ground and, unfortunately, it is our own fault. We as a community lack the self-discipline and courage to actually date casually, and the issue is not gender exclusive. Everyone complains, yet few are willing to step outside the bounds of our self-imposed dating regulations, so it remains everyone's problem.
It's not that guys and girls do not interact. It just seems that too many guys chicken out of asking any girl on a simple date. Likewise, girls also have an issue with just going on a date. Students tend to hang out in large groups and never want to take the risk of dating anyone in that group, or instead hook-ups become a substitute for true dating. Both are harmful, and both have lead us to the situation we all have found ourselves in today.
Girls - you first. Don't just wait for the perfect guy to come along. You hear of dream dates and surprising engagements and think to yourself one day Mr. Perfect will come along. Do not get me wrong - your man in shining armor will come, but mostly likely you have thus far refused to see the man beneath the armor. Give the guy that is able to scrounge together the courage to ask you on a date the opportunity to at least try to impress you. After all, a guy on a date may be more to your liking than the same guy in class.
Guys - step it up. As Furman males, we tend to either go to parties at frat houses or other apartments and occasionally hook up with any girl to our liking, or we just do nothing at all and sit in bed and dream about what could be. Admittedly, we are all into the more physical aspect of a relationship, but have the manners to at least treat girls with the courtesy they deserve. Also, ask your friends out! You know you already get along, so just try to change up the setting. If it does not work out, it will be ok. There are plenty of wonderful, beautiful girls out there.
A date doesn't mean marriage. It's only a date - a no-strings-attached date. It means nothing, but it could lead to a relationship you never imagined. If it doesn't work out you know you gave it a chance and can move on knowing you spent a night with someone you enjoy. Ask your friends. Have some courage. Find the time and get out there. It is your problem, so fix it.
It's not that guys and girls do not interact. It just seems that too many guys chicken out of asking any girl on a simple date. Likewise, girls also have an issue with just going on a date. Students tend to hang out in large groups and never want to take the risk of dating anyone in that group, or instead hook-ups become a substitute for true dating. Both are harmful, and both have lead us to the situation we all have found ourselves in today.
Girls - you first. Don't just wait for the perfect guy to come along. You hear of dream dates and surprising engagements and think to yourself one day Mr. Perfect will come along. Do not get me wrong - your man in shining armor will come, but mostly likely you have thus far refused to see the man beneath the armor. Give the guy that is able to scrounge together the courage to ask you on a date the opportunity to at least try to impress you. After all, a guy on a date may be more to your liking than the same guy in class.
Guys - step it up. As Furman males, we tend to either go to parties at frat houses or other apartments and occasionally hook up with any girl to our liking, or we just do nothing at all and sit in bed and dream about what could be. Admittedly, we are all into the more physical aspect of a relationship, but have the manners to at least treat girls with the courtesy they deserve. Also, ask your friends out! You know you already get along, so just try to change up the setting. If it does not work out, it will be ok. There are plenty of wonderful, beautiful girls out there.
A date doesn't mean marriage. It's only a date - a no-strings-attached date. It means nothing, but it could lead to a relationship you never imagined. If it doesn't work out you know you gave it a chance and can move on knowing you spent a night with someone you enjoy. Ask your friends. Have some courage. Find the time and get out there. It is your problem, so fix it.