Washington Singles are Undateable Because They Treat Dating Like a Job Search

Upon reading Dating is like a job search, and a job search is like dating I almost had a seizure.


I refuse to call back anyone who treats a date like either a job search or a job interview. It is the one deal-breaker for me and DC women are notorious for it. Simply appalling. I don’t think DC men are are any better.

It all stems from bad socialization. We Washingtonians have spent more time and energy on how to seduce a job than how to seduce each other.

What serves in the working world does not serve in the dating world. Ask Maureen Dowd

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Comments (15)

  1. Stephanie wrote:

    Oy vey! I simply found the parallels fascinating.

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:07 pm #
  2. Tiya wrote:

    ‘Tis true.

    Which is why I choose to date professional bartenders.

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:16 pm #
  3. That’s why it’s best to freelance. No long-term commitment; just short term gratification — a mutually beneficial, short-term arrangement.

    I admit though, I’ve been having a hard term finding “work” lately, and this might explain why: Everyone in this town is on a real career path. They’re not just looking for a “job,” they’re looking for a retirement package.

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:29 pm #
  4. Stephanie wrote:

    David - yep. DC people are focused on marriage as the end goal. Not love, but marriage.

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:30 pm #
  5. They would probably get the latter (retirement package) if they would spend more time enjoying the former (having fun with dating and getting fired a few times), David.

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:33 pm #
  6. Stephanie wrote:

    I just talked with some people in my office about this. The other parallel that can be made is that everyone, whether a prospective employee/er, or a perspective date, wants to feel “chosen” by the other one.

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:35 pm #
  7. What DC folks are looking for is high-pay, prestige, pedigree, and career. None of these requirements have anything to do with job happiness, passion, or job satisfaction.

    Washington, DC, singles treat dating the same way they treat their career; unfortunately, while they’re overqualified in the career department, they’re underqualified in the dating department.

    And to get the McKinsey-class men and women in Washington, you have to be highly competitive — world class — and being smart and successful and educated and even pretty isn’t going to cut it if you’re trying to land that ultimate catch who’s perks will include the home on Foxhall Road, the membership at the Chevy Chase Club, au pairs and nannies, the spots in Georgetown Day, and the legacy at Yale.

    The good news, Washington, DC, ladies, is that you can now achieve all of these things on your own.

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:41 pm #
  8. Tiff wrote:

    Perhaps Chris will share some of his tips for successful dating as an alternative to treating it like a job search?

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:45 pm #
  9. Stephanie wrote:

    I guess I’m the anomaly here. What I want? Someone who makes me think. Someone not afraid to laugh at himself and laugh at me.

    Jobs end, houses burn down, money runs out. And I’m not much of a tennis player, anyway.

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:48 pm #
  10. I want somebody to share
    Share the rest of my life
    Share my innermost thoughts
    Know my intimate details
    Someone wholl stand by my side
    And give me support
    And in return
    Shell get my support
    She will listen to me
    When I want to speak
    About the world we live in
    And life in general
    Though my views may be wrong
    They may even be perverted
    Shell hear me out
    And wont easily be converted
    To my way of thinking
    In fact shell often disagree
    But at the end of it all
    She will understand me
    Aaaahhhhh….

    I want somebody who cares
    For me passionately
    With every thought and
    With every breath
    Someone wholl help me see things
    In a different light
    All the things I detest
    I will almost like
    I dont want to be tied
    To anyones strings
    Im carefully trying to steer clear of
    Those things
    But when Im asleep
    I want somebody
    Who will put their arms around me
    And kiss me tenderly
    Though things like this
    Make me sick
    In a case like this
    Ill get away with it
    Aaaahhhhh….

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:51 pm #
  11. (was that too snarky!?)

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:55 pm #
  12. Stephanie wrote:

    Aw, Chris. You’re really a softie underneath it all!

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:55 pm #
  13. Tiff wrote:

    Song lyrics? What, are you one of the LiveJournal emokiddies now?

    Will it be slashfic next?

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:59 pm #
  14. (Quoting alternative scene prom music lyrics by Depeche Mode is supposed to be seen as amazingly snarky)

    Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 4:24 pm #
  15. Hard Worker Seeks Part Time Employment

    Bright and charming writer and designer seeks part time employment before moving to California in August.

    Employers should be irresistible females looking looking for seasonal work from a skilled freelancer.

    Short term benefits include shameless acts of romance, sincere companionship, and lots of virile summer energy.

    This is a contract position.

    Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 8:49 am #