Dating on the Brink of 30: Absolutely priceless…right? →

 

 May 31, 2013


We’ve all been there. It’s the end of the night and the apprehensive waiter or bartender neutrally sets the bill down directly in the middle of you and your date.

You make a half-ass move for your purse and your date fumbles around, pretending to forget which pocket he put his wallet in.

You both avoid eye-contact, but stare intently at each other beneath curious eyelids.

It’s kind of like the adult game of chicken. One of you will eventually crack and reach for the bill.

The financial aspect of a date can be a little tricky. You might be finishing up the best date of your life—or, maybe, your date showed up buzzed and ate the last two pieces of quesadilla off of your plate. Regardless, for many, the money side of the evening can be a determining factor in the overall rating of the date.

When women started burning their bras and demanding equal rights in the ’60s, the men in America tightened the grip on their wallets, vowing to do their part to further women’s rights by allowing the ladies to financially pull their own weight.

Over time, the rules of “who pays for a date” have changed, and we currently live in a world where anything goes. Some women still demand to be treated on the date. Other women are adamant about taking turns paying or splitting the check. And, on the flip side, some men – not wanting to be disowned by their mothers – grab the check before it even hits the table. And still other men consume three drinks for every one that his date orders and still feel comfortable offering to “just split it” when the pricy bill gets delivered.


No matter which category you fall in, always keep the following rules in mind:

1.)    If you splurge, don’t expect your date to. A small salad and a glass of wine is nothing compared to four scotch-on-the-rocks and a sirloin steak. If you ordered it, own it.

2.)    If you chose a $$$-rated establishment, be prepared to shell out a little more. Don’t expect your date to compensate for your expensive taste.

3.)    Always bring a little extra cash. Even you if came out the loser of the “let me get this one, no let me get this one” game, offer to at least cover the tip. Show that you appreciate your date’s generosity and vow to pick up the next one.

Dating on the Brink of 30: Exes and Ohs →


 Tyra Sutak

 

 June 7, 2013

 

When you run into an ex for the first time following a break-up, you want it to be perfect.

You want to be prepared.

You want to rub your awesome bachelorette-hood and exciting new life all up in their unappreciative face.

What you don’t want to do is run into your ex for the first time immediately following a torrential downpour and an epic mountain biking crash that leaves you and your shiny spandex covered from head to toe in mud and shame…

When it comes to encounters of the ex-factor—all bets are off.

Whether your life together was brief, or some serious “’til death do us part” vows were broken, seeing your former significant other for the first time since the split is never fun—which is why I completely condone temporarily blowing off every societal idea of what it means to be a “grown-up”.

If you stumble upon your ex for the first time in a grocery store, it’s totally appropriate to abandon your grocery cart or basket, mid-trip, especially if it’s filled with pints of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey. Abort operation “need frozen dinners and a 24-pack of toilet paper” and head for the exit.


If the first time you come face to face with your ex is in an establishment that serves adult beverages—weigh your options. How badly do you need that drink? Last time I saw my ex, I was at a brewery a good 10-15 minutes away from good beer-civilization. After considering all of my options, I decided that I needed that drink real bad, and casually strolled to an open seat farthest from the man that recently tossed my heart in a meat grinder. Unfortunately, that seat happened to be right outside of the only men’s restroom in the building. Rookie mistake. If you decide to take your chances at co-existing in the same place with your ex for a prolonged period of time, make sure you steer clear of the little boys’ or girls’ room.

If it’s a good day, you curled your hair and shaved your legs that morning, and you feel on top of your game—say “hello”. But, make it brief. Remember—you don’t owe your ex anything, and if you accidentally fling a bunch of mud in his direction once you finally get your bike upright and wipe the mud off of your sunglasses, that’s okay, too.

Mending a broken heart is far more important than acting your age