Earlier this year I went out on something that may
or may not have been a “date.” Old, inexperienced bachelor that I am, I’d have
to say something like, “Would you go out on a date with me?” and have her say, “Yes, a date with you would be nice!” before I knew for certain. I suppose
I could still ask after the fact (“So, was this, like, a date?”) but that seems like poor form.
Must be a guy thing.
Anyway, a young lady and I went to see a movie
together (I paid—because she lost her debit card) and then had dinner (she paid—because
she found her debit card). A good time seemed to be had by all. However, when I
saw her a few weeks later, she seemed a little cold and distant. So I went to
my boss-ladies in the bookstore to find out what I did wrong*.
“Trevor,” Rachel said. “It’s probably what you
didn’t do. Did you tell her that you had a good time?”
I shook my head. “No. Wasn’t that implicit in the
good time that was had? At dinner I didn’t say, ‘Hey, I’m having a tuna fish
sandwich!’”
“Did you
call her the next the day?” Sarah asked. “Or even send a text?
“No,” I said. “I didn’t have any important message
I needed to convey. And it’s not like I had anything to tell her.”
“Did you have a good time?” they asked. I nodded
in the affirmative. “Then you had
something to tell her!”
Oh.
They decided that I need help. The following week
I found a stack of romantic comedy DVDs sitting on the desk. Never having had a
girlfriend, I’ve never been forced to watch such things. I’m supposed review
the movies, taking notes if I must, to become more savvy to the world of the
romantic.
As bad as that may sound, it beats the heck out of
the boss-ladies’ original idea: me watching those movies with a panel of
opinionated women. Not since Dante went on his tour would a trip to Hell be so
educational.
So from time to time I may write up a review just
to share what I’ve learned. Any particularly insightful film suggestions can be
left in the comments.
*Once explained to me, I did apologize, baring a
small portion of my tender heart as I did. She said that her attitude actually
had nothing to do with me and everything to do with other stuff going on in her
life. I felt sheepish.
Augh, as a girl who hates *most* romantic comedies (or at best, can enjoy them the first time around if they are REALLY funny, but after that just finds them old and stale), I can't imagine being subjected to this torture. Also, I'm not really sure you'll learn anything useful from them, because I've never met anyone like the people in these films (which is probably explained by the fact that they all seem to live in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or all of the above-- as far as I'm concerned, those are other planets and the people that dwell in them are aliens). If I must recommend a film, it will be an oldie (well, from the 90s): "While You Were Sleeping." I recommend this not because it will give you any useful insights (at least, I doubt it), but because it is genuinely cute and funny, even after the twentieth viewing, and because it takes place in Chicago (i.e., the Midwest and therefore the real world).
ReplyDeleteThere is a whole list of films I would recommend avoiding all cost, but the other females of your acquaintance would probably shout me down and then burn me alive as a heretic, so I will stop now.
You're always welcome to my fine collection of period dramas, which are, generally, considered "girl movies."
ReplyDeleteTrev...I too agree with the suggestion of "While You Were Sleeping". It is my alltime favorite movie and I think even you will find it delightful!
ReplyDelete