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

By: David Gelles

David Gelles — Wed, 24 May 2006 08:49:25 +0000

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.

By: Chris Abraham

Chris Abraham — Tue, 23 May 2006 16:24:52 +0000

(Quoting alternative scene prom music lyrics by Depeche Mode is supposed to be seen as amazingly snarky)

By: Tiff

Tiff — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:59:23 +0000

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

Will it be slashfic next?

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:55:50 +0000

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

By: Chris Abraham

Chris Abraham — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:55:20 +0000

(was that too snarky!?)

By: Chris Abraham

Chris Abraham — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:51:16 +0000

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….

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:48:36 +0000

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.

By: Tiff

Tiff — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:45:58 +0000

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

By: Chris Abraham

Chris Abraham — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:41:49 +0000

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.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:35:58 +0000

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.

By: Chris Abraham

Chris Abraham — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:33:01 +0000

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.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:30:32 +0000

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

By: David Gelles

David Gelles — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:29:31 +0000

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.

By: Tiya

Tiya — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:16:24 +0000

‘Tis true.

Which is why I choose to date professional bartenders.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:07:45 +0000

Oy vey! I simply found the parallels fascinating.