A topic of increasing concern for young adults today is the issue of dead-end dates. This paradoxical absurdity was recently brought to the forefront by Zoe Williams, a columnist for The Guardian. In her piece she explores what she terms the “nothing-happening curse” of dating encounters. Not only do people take leisurely walks in their neighborhood parks, they take amazing five-hour-long pub crawls. Still, so many of them walk away disappointed.
On one of these outings, a friend of Williams had an odd experience. She had slipped her knickers under the table, but no one made a move after that. This situation is emblematic of a larger trend. In today’s world, most dates—even the long, personal ones—result in little to no romantic spark. It’s an issue that goes beyond a basic inconvenience but one that is rooted in people’s self-image.
Dating apps, the new primary way most millennials have to meet their future partners, are a nightmare. For this reason users often complain that there’s no real engagement, no real connection. One of Williams’ young friends took a trip to Spain, thrilled to jumpstart a romance with a man she’d met through social media. As you might guess, her hopes were dashed once again.
Generation X has a tough time understanding the dating woes that millennials face. That gap in experiences and expectations creates a gap in understanding. So much of today’s dating culture is lost online. Gen X men, as evidenced by their hilarious reactions when they start to consider the mechanics of SPDing garments back and forth in social settings.
“Run this by me one more time, do I have to go to the loo and take my own underpants off? Wouldn’t it be more polite to keep a spare, clean pair in my pocket and just give her those? If my pants are larger than the actual tablecloth, what then?” – Gen X men
This humorous take highlights the stark generational divide in what people believe to be typical dating practice. As new technology redefines what it means to meet someone, the emotional consequences of a bad date run deeper. Too often, participants describe a sense of their time being squandered, leaving them feeling even more frustrated and with a reduced sense of value.
The Guardian has given readers space to share their dating stories in the paper’s letters section. What are your thoughts text readers about the often tangled web of new technology and traditional courtships Email us your letters, no longer than 300 words, to letters@t4america.org. The section is typically published alongside the author’s name and their city or town, fostering a sense of community among contributors.