OU students advise discouraged daters
By Jessica Mae, Behind the Scenes Staff Writer
September 24, 2007 | 4:27 p.m.
Sophomore Libby Wiita thought her date was going really well until she found out that dating this guy would require finding a babysitter.
In June of this year, Wiita saw the box-office hit “Knocked Up” and laughed along with the friends of the main character who couldn’t believe their buddy was going to be a dad. After the film, Wiita wasn’t laughing anymore when her date turned out to have something in common with the film.
“We were talking after the movie, and I don’t remember what exactly we were talking about, but all of a sudden he mentioned that he had a 2-year-old daughter,” Wiita said.
Wiita unexpectedly found herself in the midst of a twisted version of “Knocked Up.”
“This guy is 21 years old and has a daughter. I couldn’t believe it,” Wiita said.
While not everyone has gone out with someone only to find his or her single date is also a single parent, dating is an integral part of the college experience, and everyone has experienced the best and worst of dates. However, to avoid those dull dates and sudden surprises, students at Ohio University have valuable advice and the best (or perhaps worst) pickup lines.
Dating is confusing, and there are a lot of subtle, unspoken rules to follow. In order to help the distraught dater, here are the DOs and DON’Ts of dating:
- DON’T assume the guy is going to pay. While the assumption has long been held that the man has to pay for everything, bring money anyway.
- DO dress for success. If you dress to impress in your professional life, dress the same in your social life. Most dates don’t warrant a suit or an expensive dress. Regardless, it shows your date you are willing to put some effort into how you look.
- DON’T get too giggly. This is mostly for the ladies out there who have a tendency to believe that guys find peppy, giggly girls incredibly attractive. Be yourself, not a hyena.
- DO be sincere. If you expect honesty from your date, you should give it in return.
- DON’T get too clingy. This is arguably the number one advice from guys, and they have a valid point. Independence is highly attractive. Don’t lose it just because you like someone.
- DO stay sober. While drugs or alcohol may calm your nerves, most first dates don’t lead to a second when someone is completely wasted.
- DON’T get intimate too soon. The question of when to have sex is certainly debatable, but sex too soon can lead to a very quick end in dating or a not-so-funny, real-life version of “Knocked Up.”
- DO have fun! Dating is complicated, and the list of advice seems to never end, but remember to enjoy the time spent with your date no matter what happens afterward.
In order to get to the actual date, you have to ask. In order to ask, you may need a number. Most guys get a number through an infamous icebreaker known as “the pickup line.”
The pickup line is intended as an easy way to not only give a lady a compliment but also get communication flowing with the hopes of at least ending up with her number.
Almost everyone has heard of a pickup line. Not everyone has been the receiver, but certainly everyone has heard one from movies, friends or other students.
The following is a small list of the endless pickup lines experienced by OU students:
- Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?
- Are you tired? Because you’ve been running through my mind all day.
- I forgot my phone number. Can I have yours?
- Is there a mirror in your pants? Because I can see myself in them.
- You must have a keg in your pants because I want to tap that.
- How much does a polar bear weigh? Enough to break the ice. Hi, I’m (insert name).
- Your dad must be an astronaut because your body is out of this world.
This is only a small sample of pickup lines, but plenty more exist. Middle childhood education major Lanisha Whaley doesn’t even know how to respond to pickup lines anymore. “I just roll my eyes and look away,” she said.
However, sports industry major Victor Nimmons thinks girls shouldn’t be so unimpressed. "If a guy uses a pickup line, a girl should definitely give him a shot and go out with him," he said.
Let's hope this advice and small list of pickup lines can better serve you in your dating experience. Even if the date doesn’t work out, follow Wiita’s decision regarding her date: “I didn’t keep seeing him, but we’re still friends, which is definitely better than trying to date him and his daughter.”
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