Dear W&M,
I'm 28 and just got out of a long term relationship of 6 years. I have been trying to go out and meet new guys, but they are all assholes and unemployed losers! The bars aren't cutting it, and I'm just not sure where to look anymore.
Help!
K.
* * *
Dear K,
Argh! I'm sorry to hear it. Dating when you're 22 vs. 28 is very different. You're older, wiser, and savvier! You can't go back to the same watering holes to look for mates anymore because your expectations are a lot higher now. So, I think you need to get more creative with your venues. Here are a few suggestions:
The Dry Cleaners // Prospecting
The probability is high that single dudes who frequent the dry cleaners have respectable wardrobes and/or J-O-B-S. Why not hang around a little longer next time you drop off your soiled goodies? Keep your eyes peeled, stay alert, you might just find someone that turns your crank! Hopefully you'll be making sweet new stains together.
Friends of Friends // Vetting
I'm a big advocate of dating friends of friends. Why? Your friends have already done the vetting for you! Plus, they care about you and have your best interest in mind. They certainly wouldn't want you to get hurt by an asshole (even if the asshole is their friend, too.) Just keep in mind that breaking up with friends of friends can be a little tricky, but it's a risk to assume if you're going to go this route.
Volunteer // Aligning
Instead of waking up hung-the-fuck-over next to some strange douchebag on a Saturday morning, why not volunteer your time for an organization/candidate whose mission/message you strongly believe in? You can do some good and potentially meet someone of interest at the same time. The best part about this is that the people you'll meet here will most likely share your core values.
Good luck!
Yours,
Gracie
look at you all having an advice column
ReplyDeleteit's soooooo fun and a little bit scary.
Deletethis is fantastic advice. like, really, really good advice. and it's also peppered with a little "gracie dirty" what with the stain-makin'. nice going.
ReplyDeletehey thanks! i hope it is of help!
Deletei think another cool place to meet people is at a class of some kind. when i was first learning how to blow glass, i met all kindsa HOT guys !
ReplyDeletejust don't take a wine tasting class -- that shit's all chicks no dicks.
interesting! that's pretty cool you know how to blow glass. is that all you blew there??
DeleteHAHAHA.
Deleteactually, you have know idea how sexualized the entire craft is ... for example, the 'oven' that you use to keep your glass juicy hot is called a GLORY HOLE.
DeleteHEE !
WOAH!
DeleteADDENDUM:
Dear K.,
Fuck what I said above. SIGN UP FOR GLASS BLOWING!
Love,
Gracie
Dear K,
DeleteGet ready to give some serious 'bench blows' and 'paddle bottoms' and get things 'juicy hot' in the GLORY HOLE.
YUM.
Or, as my mom would suggest, "Why don't you join some young people's clubs?"
ReplyDeleteDAW...
DeleteGracie you are so wise and cute. good advise. I did the same thing not realizing that the bars were such a bad idea.
ReplyDelete♥ live and learn!
Deletesolid advice. yeah, bars? not so much. the last time i got hit on in a bar, i was 5 MONTHS PREGNANT.
ReplyDeleteOoh, good advice. I had never thought of the dry cleaner. Or glass blowing. This is much better than my idea of attending Greens (political party) meetings.
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice, Gracie!
ReplyDeleteI'll just add: go travelling. He's possibly not even on the same continent as you right now.
Seriously, it seems like most people that I know who met their partners at the tail end of their twenties met them overseas.