ExposedNYC

I walked past this girl on the street the other day (her sign says, “All I Want for Christmas is a Date”), and it surprised me. She’s a beautiful girl who resorted to parading around on a street corner to get attention. It may work for her, but the only guy I saw stop and talk to her was under ten years old.

She had a friend there, video taping the process, so I’m guessing she’s an aspiring actress, or at least hopeful reality television star. Either way, I was intrigued by the idea that all we need is a gimmick.

We’ve all done something crazy for the idea of love. From something as simple as wearing an outfit to a club that we would never wear while walking down the street to grand romantic gestures. We all say we want someone to be themselves, but dating seems filled with people going to extremes.

I have a friend who has been in an on-again, off-again relationship with his girlfriend for years. They’re in an off period, and she’s spending the holidays out of the country with family. He actually bought a ticket to fly overseas for New Years and surprise her. Now, this is sweet in theory, but how does this solve any of the problems that still exist when they get back on US soil?

Drastic measures may provide us with great memories, but what makes a successful relationship is enjoying the day-to-day mundane. It’s when simple errands somehow feel more fun because of who you do them with. A candlelit dinner is sweet, but remembering my favorite kind of potato chips and picking them up at the deli means just as much to me.

I don’t mean to knock the sentiment or creativity behind this trend. I love the various scenarios high school kids use to ask each other to prom nowadays. I’m just going to be in trouble if I need a sandwich board the next time I go out to a bar to get someone to talk to me. Dating is hard enough work without making every element a spectacle.

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