It’s true…apparently.

You fill out a short questionnaire about yourself and what you’re looking for in a match. Then, once you’re out in public and on the prowl, you activate the app, it finds your coordinates and ka-pow! other singles start popping out of the sidewalk.

Yeah, right.  I don’t believe it.  And while I am willing to try a lot of things to meet people, this is one step I am not willing to take.

But I am still really curious…

so who wants to give it a shot and let me know how it goes?

It goes something like this:

If a woman travels to a new city and receives attention from more men in the new city than she did in her home city is it because she’s hotter or just someone new and different?

What are my thoughts on the subject.

I think it’s a case of yes, but…

Yes, sometimes when women travel to a new city they might get more attention from men than they do in their home city but not because they are hotter than the women who live there but, because…

they might have more confidence as a result of feeling like they have nothing to lose.  They don’t know anyone or care what others think and therefore are freer to be themselves.  And confidence is a great way to attract a man.

they might have a really charming southern accent that makes the hearts of most men melt.

they might be a sun-kissed blond in a sea of pasty skinned brunettes.

Essentially, they might offer something just different enough that they stand out from the crowd.

They may not be “hotter” just different.

One of my favorite TV shows this summer has been the new Betty White sitcom, Hot in Cleveland.

Three middle aged women from LA survive when their plane crashes in Cleveland.  Their first stop post crash is a bar.  The men flock to them and immediately these ladies discover that while they may be average in LA, they are HOT in Cleveland.  So they move there.  And Betty White becomes their roommate.

Fluff.  Love it.

The premise brings up an intriguing question:

Are these women actually hotter in Cleveland or are they getting attention because (excuse the expression) they are fresh meat?

If a woman travels to a new city and receives attention from more men in the new city than she did in her home city is it because she’s hotter or just someone new and different?

Think about it and let me know your opinion.

I’ve got my own thoughts that I’ll share on Monday.

www.meghmiller.com

Yesterday’s post was entitled:

Marriage Beats Dating Hands-Down.

I knew it.

Someday I’ll be able to let my stomach out.   Until then I’ll keep holding it in:)

How do we convert current methods of communication to understand the intention of someone when it comes to dating?

Back in the 80s (not all that long ago, really) the main way people communicated was via phone or letters.  In today’s culture, the currency of communication is much more confusing.  You can wink, poke, text, email, call, ichat, skype, tweet, dm, im, bbm, etc.  Communication is much faster and easier than ever before, but as a result is it losing its power or importance?

In a relationship communication is key so what does it mean when he or she texts or tweets vs. email or calling?

In my experience (and opinion) a phone call still wins over all other forms of communication.  It’s more vulnerable and authentic as it requires you to be in the moment.  It does not allow you to think about your response, craft the perfect comeback or erase a sentence if you don’t like it.

Here are a few rules of the ring finger (thumbs are for hitchhiking, ring fingers are for love) to follow:

1. Winking and poking are pointless and don’t count unless they are backed up by action.

2. If it’s anything under 140 characters, it’s saying: “I’m thinking of you, but can’t (or won’t) call yet.”

3.  Give grammar and typos a break unless they are really bad and often repeated.

4. One phone call + no voicemail = an email that sits in your draft box waiting to be sent.

5. An email when he’s on the clock at work means he’s thinking of you and taking the time to write you.  You’re a nice distraction.

6. An IM or text conversation is fun, but since it’s missing a key ingredient, tone, I don’t think it counts as a real conversation.

7. Conversation via Ichat or skype is a pseudo date since you’re not breathing the same air.  But if that’s all you’ve got, then I think it’s great!

8. A surprise phone call is a sure sign that they are interested.

9. A phone call when he says he’s going to call is even better.  He’s a man of his word.

10. A hand written letter.  Meet that man at the end of an aisle.  He’s a keeper!

I was having some girls over for dinner and wanted to grab a few last minute items.  A can of re-fried beans, six pack of Bud Light Lime, tortilla chips and salsa.  It was also the end of the school year and I needed some school supplies for a project.  Add construction paper, 2 bags of candy and markers and I headed to the express lane.

While unloading my items at the checkout, a middle-aged man next to me says, “You’re a teacher, huh?” I turn around, a little surprised and mutter, “Yeah, I am.”

“How’d you know?” I ask.

“Construction paper, beer, markers.  Typical teacher purchases.” He says with a smile.  While I did not agree (beer?) I laughed and then witnessed his expression change from friendly to a look of shock.

“Oh. My. Gosh. It’s you!” he shouts.

I panic.  Do I know this person?  I search into the recesses of my brain and can’t come up with anything.  I tell this stranger to hold on for a second while I finish my purchase.  I really want to disappear, but a small part of my curiosity is peaked.

He waits for me at the end of the checkout lane.

We small chat for a bit and then he says, “You’re that girl who wrote that book on blind dating.  I read about you in the newspaper.”

I let out a nervous laugh.  “Yeah, that’s me.” And I know without a doubt what the next question is going to be.

“So have you found the one?”

Bingo.

“Nope, not yet.”

He follows with, “so when can I take you out?”

I am flattered, and if this man was closer to my age and did not have kids in college, I might have considered going out with him, but I felt we did not have much common ground.  So I quickly thought of an excuse.

“Sorry, but I am dating someone and he lives out of state.”

WHAT?

I most certainly am not dating someone.  I have no idea why I said I was.  I also have no idea why I decided that this faux beau should live out of state.

“Well that will never work,” he politely adds.

Thanks for the unsolicited advice, SIR!

Why do you care, Megan?  He’s commenting on your IMIGINARY relationship!!

“I guess I’ll just have to wait and see,” I say and head to my car.

Not really the glamorous moment of recognition I imagined in my head.  Wal Mart?  Re-fried beans and beer? Bold faced lies?

Oh well, at least for a moment I was in a relationship and able to answer the dreaded “have you found the one” question with something other than “no”!

Remedies Include:
Time off.
Vacation.
Sleep.
Laughter.
Food.
Drink.

For those of you who have been following my blog, even in my absence, I am making a slow return to the blog world.

For you bloggers out there: What do you do when you’ve caught the “blog bug” and lack inspiration?

I’ve always joked that I would be open to an arranged marriage.  Actually…I use the word “joke”, but in reality, I’m not joking at all.  I am quite serious.  Sometimes I think my family could do a better job picking a man for me than I can for myself.  Other times I just want a break from dating/screening men and would like someone else to take over for a while.

However, I don’t see this ever really working.  The road block: finding a man who would be open to being arranged to me, or arranged in general.

But in some cultures and religions arranged marriage is the only option for many women.  While most would use terms like old fashioned, antiquated and even oppressive to describe arranged marriage, for some it’s both the norm and embraced.

I recently watched a film on this very subject called Arranged.  I HIGHLY recommend it.  The film is centered around Rachel and Nasira who are teachers at a public school in NYC.  Rachel is an Orthodox Jew and Nasira is Muslim.  These women seem to have little in common, but as the story progresses they discover they are both in the beginning stages of the process leading to arranged marriage.  The result is a movie that is engaging and endearing.  Check it out!

I asked him what it was that attracted him to his now wife when he first saw her profile.  He said when looking at each profile he looked for 5 key components and she had each one.  As he was talking I pulled out my phone to start taking some notes…

Here are his 5 Key Components.

1. Character
2. Beauty
3. Femininity/Tenderness/Sweetness
4. Athleticism
5. Intelligence

These are his top 5 of many things he was looking for, but they served as his tool for screening the hundreds of matches he received.

I thought all of them were great.  With online dating it can be so overwhelming trying to figure out who you should and should not contact.  Having a succinct list to help you is not a bad idea.  You know how much I love lists, so if I ever again use the Internet for dating, I’ll be sure to take the comptroller’s advice!

It’s true.  I am one.  But I would like to think I am not your typical Daddy’s Girl.

Yes, I adore my Dad and think he hung the moon.

Yes, he’s always called me “Princess” (save 2 years in jr. high when I boldly told him that he was no longer allowed to call me that because it was embarrassing to me.)

Yes, He’s always taken good care of me.

And yes, he’s spoiled me.  But not with stuff.

And that’s what makes me an a-typical Daddy’s Girl.

Instead of stuff, He’s spoiled me with…

Love:  He tells me every time he see me that he loves me.  Every time.

Confidence:  He tells me he’s proud of me.  Sometimes he’ll just call and leave a quick voicemail to let me know how proud he is of me.

Encouragement: He’s shown me that with hard work I can accomplish much.  He’s quite the cheerleader.

Respect: He respects my ideas and opinions and beliefs. Even when we disagree (which is not all that often, thankfully).

Experiences:  He’s taken me to the Final Four, a few US Open tournaments (golf), the World Series, Antarctica, but more importantly to my basketball practices, church on Sunday and annual shopping trips for Mom’s Christmas gifts (normally on the 23rd or 24th).

Education:  He encouraged me to go to a good college and not let my academics get in the way of my education.

Legacy: He’s leaving a legacy of the importance of putting Christ first in life as well as family and others.

Character:  He does the right thing and when he doesn’t he admits he’s wrong.

So yes, I am a Daddy’s Girl and proud of it.  He’s set the bar high!

I love you, Dad!

P.S.  You’d be so proud.  I wrote this post while watching the last few holes of this year’s US OPEN.  Thanks for instilling a love of sports in my life.  Here’s to finding you a 4th in 2010:)