The Dating Game

With my new job in the city, I hear about a lot more networking events and activities than I ever did before, and I am determined to take advantage of opportunities to meet people as much as I can.  This past week I went to a networking event full of all sorts of folks.  Like in any large gathering where I don't know anyone, I felt the social fright drain all blood from my body.  Still, I'm proud to say that I made myself talk to people, and luckily pushing yourself into other conversations was pretty much expected at this event.  I met a few interesting people, and once I realized I was only talking to "safe" people (e.g. girls, unattractive dudes, and older people), I told myself I have to make an effort to talk to someone I found attractive.

So I did!  This guy was most likely quite a bit younger than me, but he was tall, dark, handsome, and had little dimples that I found irresistible.  I wished I had made more effort on my hair (which was messily tied back in a ponytail) or had cleaned myself up a little more after work, but oh well.  After a while, he wandered off to another conversation.  I was sad that he didn't give me his card, but proud of myself for taking the step.

Yesterday I was having dinner with friends, one of whom casually mentioned her friend who had been on the dating scene in the city for over a decade, and even though she was attractive and smart, girls like that are a dime a dozen in the city, and guys tend to know that, so dating is even harder there than anywhere else.

Well, damn.  Now, the only thought I can think of is that I'm not good enough for all the young, attractive, career city guys.  Why do things like that matter?  Why does dating have to be competitive?  Why should things like that make me feel inferior?  I've never been cut out for the "game" part of dating.  I don't like to compete.  Can I do this?  Errgggghhh.

Trying to stay positive,

Skeptic