Daily Loaf

After another weekend full of my usual make-out antics, an issue I’ve been coping with reared it’s ugly head: post-make-out dating etiquette.

Undoubtedly, the internet has revolutionized dating protocol. The days of going to your mom for advice are gone. I am pretty sure my mom would be stumped if I asked her “What does it mean if he posts on my Facebook wall, but just writes ‘Hi’?” Even my sister, who is a mere 3 years older would probably have little to contribute; she uses social networking for ACTUALLY finding old high school friends–lame.

Here’s a short list of steps I’ve discovered for dating in the cyberage.

1- Meet. (variations are possible, including but not limited to: make out, have sex, stare awkwardly)
2- Exchange names/numbers. (last names are important now for finding people on Google and Facebook)
3- Add as a friend on a social networking site (Facebook preferred)
4- Send quippy comment or witty, but short, email message along with a friend request.
5- Exchange a few of these comments electronically.
6- Convert quippy comments to text messages.
7- Arrange a second encounter.
8- At some point after said meeting, a phone call MIGHT be exchanged.
9- Marriage, babies, and an expensive divorce.
10- Death… or possibly meet new person. Rinse, lather and repeat steps 1-9.

Now, James (as he will henceforth be called as that’s his real name) followed these steps. He was even quite crafty in his approach. Apparently, at some point in the evening a new friend asked me to write down my first and last name so that she could find me on Facebook (probably the easiest and most accessible method of networking in Asia with foreigners). As I wrote it down, James then requested I do the same for him. As I was already 4-5 drinks deep, I didn’t remember this part of the evening.

He appeared in the form of a friend request 3 days later (and as he pointed out later is the  industry standard). This is where things got tricky. Instead of following protocol, he sent the request without any other form of follow up communication.

He waited to make his move on Facebook chat (the shittiest form of IM ever!). After a few exchanges, he broached the subject of traveling to see me the next weekend, skipping steps 6 and 7 completely! Is it possible that I might pick him up at the train station before ever getting his number?

With the growing popularity of Facebook and internet resources like Skype, is it possible that voice-to-voice communication, or eve face-to-face, is being phased out?

Until then I shall just look forward to texting James from across the table… hot.

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