Fools in Love Answering Agency!

So one of my real life talents is that I'm pretty good at relationships (not my own, but apparently everyone else's). Now, I preface this with a disclaimer: I HAVE NO PSYCHOLOGICAL, CLINICAL, OR THEOLOGICAL TRAINING. I do however have a lot of experience, in the social ring, and a degree in Theatre Arts may not be good on a resume, but it makes one an excellent people watcher, and learner of behavior. I will change names and identities, so that no-one gets really embarrassed.

So I'll try, from time to time, to give real life examples of my friends-who-are-girls. Maybe you can apply them to yours, maybe you completely disagree with me and leave me terrible comments. Either way, I'm putting my "experience" on the table.

I actually have two recent current examples:

1. If a waiter buys you dessert, do you give him your number?

Now, I preface this anecdote with the fact that the lady who questioned me, lets call her...Tina, was already attracted to this waiter, and probably would have given him her number had she been asked, but was instead presented with a free piece of pie.

So, is it ok to leave your number under the tip, if he gives you a free dessert? Yes, it's ok. He didn't buy the whole meal, he didn't hit on her during the meal. He seems to be a stand up guy, and she's putting the ball in his court, and there's no guarantee he's even going to call her (don't worry Tina, he probably will). So if it so happens you're out on a lady date (two girlfriends grabbing dinner, not two ladies grabbing dinner, a movie, and then each other), and the waiter buys you dessert, and makes it clear its you and not your friend, and you think why not, then I say you should go for it...Tina.

2. How do you bring up a possible relationship with someone who you've been a bit intimate with, but haven't had much serious contact with since?

TALK TO HIM! But that's the easy answer. But let me give you a little background: Lets say that...Dani, was a camp counselor last summer, and cuddled up one night with another counselor, and after talking for a while (and no drinks, its important to note), they kissed. Camp ends, they part ways, but still talk, and the kiss never comes up again.

So, how does Dani bring up a relationship (or at least the possibility of one?). The easiest way is to bring it up directly, but that provides the most risk, and if misspoken or mishandled even a bit, its automatically going to terminate any future possibilities. A better route is to ask about a personal or dating life. Now, there are a few options the man will take:

1. If he redirects, or avoids, chances are he has one already and doesn't want to lose the possibility of a future with you, so he doesn't come clean.

2. If he says he's all free, that means he's lonely, and possibly desperate, so avoid.

3. If he says no, and turns right around and asks you out, bonus for you.

4. Your prime situation is this: He says he's not dating anyone, and asks if you are, you smile, and put your hair behind your ear, and say, "not at the moment..." and if he has any sense at all, he'll ask you right then and there. If he doesn't, then at your next interaction, you go for broke and ask him about it, and see what happens. But that should be a last resort.

Now, like I said, I have no technical training, but my experience has been accumulating for many years now, and I'm trying to give back.

Sincerely,

The Future Genius.

Who Are You?

No, this is not a post about how much I love The Who (and honestly, who doesn't love The Who?). But this IS a post about a recent commercial I saw (about a billion times, b/c I watch tv on the internet, and a show will get one commercial sponsor and you see the same commercial about 100 times). It's for Norton anti-virus software (and can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOowgs4F1Gc). Now, I usually agree with keeping up with one's anti-virus software (I lost a LOT after I fooled around with limewire on my last computer), but the premise of this commercial...unnerved me a bit. It's all about stuff, and ends with the question: "What are you without your stuff? More importantly, WHO are you?" Now, in modern day America, we ARE obsessed with stuff. Look at the video game industry, its gone from non-existant 20 or 30 years ago, to a multi-billion dollar industry today. We give our stuff to charity so we can buy MORE STUFF!

But we are not the sum of our stuff. We are more. The DNA of this country is littered with people who had nothing and made the history books. It's practically the backbone of our way of life. Since when are we measured by what we have, and not who we are? We are greater than the some of our parts, and it disgusts me that anyone would consider us any less, let alone a company who works in America, providing a vital service to the modern population. Presidents are elected on character, CEO's live and die by how they are viewed in the public eye, not by how many cars they have, or what house they live in (mostly because they all live at that level). Heroes come from all walks of life, and villains are both rich and poor. Who we are is absolutely not measure by assets, its measured by character, will and drive. It worries me that this is the way advertising execs think of the American public. Now we haven't given them much reason to think or behave otherwise (Jersey Shore Season 5? REALLY?).

So, who are we? Will we sit idly by while the advertisers continue to appeal to the lowest common denominator, or will we choose to raise it? Who are we to not educate ourselves? To not pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, regardless of how much STUFF we have? We are who we choose to be.

So, Who Are You?

Sincerely,

The Future Genius.