Here’s a fact! Dating makes you smart. It makes you (putting it dramatically) unveil the bitter (sometimes sweet) truths of humanness and start seeing the world beyond the retrospect, beyond the familiar colors. Parents would probably frown at this, but some fancy research has shown that dating helps young adults to develop self-esteem, social presentation, communication skills, intimacy and several other areas that contribute to success in later life. Well… in that case, the more you date the better! That’s a different story. But then again, stories are always so interesting, especially the inside stories – almost as interesting as a soppy Bollywood film.
Statically speaking, above 75% of college students date other college students one way or the other. (I am using the word “date” quite loosely, mind you. All kinds of relationships including fighting couples, the friends with benefits, the torrid couples, just for the sake of it couples, the sorta-kinda-in-love couples, cheating couples, sickly-in-love couples, couples with a control- freak partner and normal couples are included). But only less than 20% end up together in the long run. It is in fact, a part of college life, almost inevitable that is, especially here, when kids who were brought up in same-sex schools all their lives, are suddenly put together. Maybe it is because the hormonal surges are undeniable or maybe it is because the possible “catches” are just too hot to ignore.
Then of course, cultures come into play; we have the “gode” couples who giggle in the corners of the cafeteria and the “posh” ones who hang around with the happening crowd. (Pardon me if you identify yourself here, I truly mean no offense). Then there is also the serious stuff, not just between the Buddhist mother who just found out that her daughter is dating a Muslim boy and the Colombo 07 businessman daddy who heard rumors about his 6” handsome son “hitting-on” a dark-skinned girl from the village, but between Lankanness and Americanness. We are after all, Sri Lankan stuck on the way to the USA. So, who’s to blame and what’s to be called wrong? But it would be nicer to see a bit more principle, even when it comes to dating.
Even a bigger deal in college love is heartbreak. Attraction is good, in fact it is superb and hey, I’m in no position to judge so please do spare me. But love at first sight seems to work quite well here. (So girl, think that guy is hot? Go ahead, make a move. You’ve got to do what the handsome bloke is not brave enough to do) I believe it is a great practice for project initiation. There is also the fun bit, mind you – hiding away from the snobby cameras. Rule breaking is in fact underestimated. One with no fine intellect can’t do it.
Unfortunately so, the butterflies choose to fly away in most cases and the honeymoonish days come to an end – hearts break, girls cry, guys fight. The culture clashes, the self-discoveries, all play a role in shooing the butterflies, but sometimes it just happens and yes, “hubba bubba” another catches your eye and the cycle starts all over again. Everything is suddenly so great except during those rare awkward moments when you get into the lift and find your ex is in too.
The backstabbing, gossip and the “looks” are all a part of the package. It’s what makes the module interesting. Like said, the only challenge is to set up principles and stick to them whether it is the boxer-pant trend, tittle-tattling or maintaining a perfect A grade. Dating is an all-inclusive curriculum after all. Maybe we should get credits for it. The number who fails will indeed come as a massive surprise, believe me.
Benefits of Dating
Understanding the 'Hookup' culture
How to Revive your Ailing Self Respect
Benefits of Dating
Understanding the 'Hookup' culture
How to Revive your Ailing Self Respect
No comments:
Post a Comment