I have sometimes wondered what I'd do if I met a girl and she'd was dead-set on living in Strongsville or Solon.

 

Dump her and her big '80's hair!

I have sometimes wondered what I'd do if I met a girl and she'd was dead-set on living in Strongsville or Solon.

 

Dump her and her big '80's hair!

 

Hilarious! 

 

I don't think I'd be able to deal with a woman who insisted on living in Strongsville.  Maybe it's just that she hasn't lived anywhere but suburbia, and you can work on her to show her all of the treasures of the city and inner-ring 'burbs.  If she flat-out hates the urban environment, I'd walk away and try to find someone who loves it.

Theres two things that would be grounds for divorce: My wife getting fat and her insisting we live in the suburbs. Sorry, I know it's shallow but it is what it is.

Theres two things that would be grounds for divorce: My wife getting fat and her insisting we live in the suburbs. Sorry, I know it's shallow but it is what it is.

So its ok if you get fat?

A. I wouldn't get fat.

 

2. If I did get fat (which I won't) I wouldn't blame my wife for forcing me to lose weight. Why shouldn't someone hold the same standards for me as I hold for them? I'm not an unreasonable guy :)

 

and C. I will NEVER be overweight.

A. I wouldn't get fat.

 

2. If I did get fat (which I won't) I wouldn't blame my wife for forcing me to lose weight. Why shouldn't someone hold the same standards for me as I hold for them? I'm not an unreasonable guy :)

 

and C. I will NEVER be overweight.

 

Just checking, you didn't say all that down thread.

My dad is in his late 40s and still has a sixpack, I'm not worried. Im sure when you're married your spouse as different expectations anyway, that's the part that scares me! lol

My dad is in his late 40s and still has a sixpack, I'm not worried. Im sure when you're married your spouse as different expectations anyway, that's the part that scares me! lol

a lot of us, in our 40s have nice abs!  You say that as if a person in there forties is OLD!  Yeah, I think in a long term relationship, some thoughts about your partners appearance change.

No but for some people, their body starts storing fat in their stomach as their testosterone lowers (usually in their 40s and 50s). You know what I'm talking about, six pack turning into a keg.

 

I've been noticing a lot lately how older guys are just as much attracted to young women my age as I am. What the hell does a 50 y/o man have in common with a 19 y/o woman?! Just shows how men are driven by sex more than anything. The older guys at strip clubs are PATHETIC. I was walking down the street with a few good looking female friends the other day and old construction workers were beeping their horn and screaming at them as they're driving by (wtf, the nerve?) while I was with them. Luckily, my own perception is that often times older women are like wine, they get better with age. I don't have a problem with that at all, I just want a woman that takes care of herself and is at least not almost obese. A little flab is fine but the thought of being committed to someone that ends up a train wreck is kinda scary.

ARTICLE REMOVED - NO LINK.

and C. I will NEVER be overweight.

But you could be bald. 

 

That could be ground for divorce.

 

I was just having this being single and in my 30s discussion with my boss at lunch today.  She's divorced; I've never been married.  What she said I thought was interesting  She said she could have a date every night if she wanted, but given her options, she thinks she'll pass.

 

Sometimes its not about whether or not there are enough single people.  But how picky you are.  I already know I'm picky,  It's my own fault.  I have to deal with it lol.

I won't be bald either. I don't have the genetics for it but I know a lot of women don't mind that look if you have the right skull for it. I'd just rock a goatee. By then I'll be rich enough to get hair transplants or something hehe.

 

I'm picky too but I'm not in any rush to be with someone that's wife material.

 

Besides what good ever came from being a settler? Slaughtering Indians? I'll pass.

Secondly, this is college. This is the best youre going to look for the rest of your life. Its all downhill after this. If youre letting it all fly out now, where are you going to be in five years? Probably being hoisted out of your house by a crane. Is that what you want?

 

Also, as you get older that fat gets harder and harder to burn. By packing on the pounds now, you just make things harder for yourself down the road.

Thanks for reminding me.  Not that I haven't noticed.

Marathons are good for burning off that extra weight. ;)

This thread has taken a decidedly unsexy turn.

Someone bring sexy back. 

 

Okay, that was lame. 

Very lame.  You might want to delete that post!  :wink2:

Someone bring sexy back. 

 

Okay, that was lame. 

 

It's alright folks. I took a short break but I'm here.

I might relate better to this thread if I had spent my college years and my 20s in Cleveland. I arrived with a baby on the way while in my early 30s. That said, Ohio City sure is a nice place for a young couple to raise a child or two  :)

Babies, six packs, balding men. This is all too terrifying. I'm tired, but I wonder if there's still time to hit W. 6th......

Babies, six packs, balding men. This is all too terrifying. I'm tired, but I wonder if there's still time to hit W. 6th......

 

too late, i already closed that sctuff down, or lee road, i'm not sure

I'm a little late to this discussion.  I won't comment on whether it's more difficult to date in Cleveland than in other cities, because this is the largest city I've lived in so far, so I can't really compare from personal experience.  I did however read an interesting book about a year ago called "Unhooked Generation" about why so many seemingly normal attractive single people are having such a hard time finding and sustaining a relationship today.  There were numerous reasons why it's just harder now, growing up with divorce and poor role models for healthy relationships, transience (constant moving from city to city and job to job), contradictory gender roles, too many choices including online dating which creates this unwillingness to "settle" becasue there might be someone better around the corner, and a "checklist mentality" whereby everyone has a checklist of qualities that they are looking for, and anyone who doesn't meet even one item on the list is immediately dismissed from consideration.  It definitely struck a chord with me as I was reading it.

 

The author surveyed singles from 6 large American cities (I can't remember exactly which ones) and interestingly, in every city, the singles cited the dating culture in their city for a big part of the reason why they couldn't find a lasting relationship.  Approx. the same percentage of singles in every city said, "It's this city, no one commits here" or "everyone is already coupled off here" or "its hard to meet people here" etc.

 

So anyway, I didn't post because I have any great answers, if I did, I guess I wouldn't be single.  :roll:  But I do find the easiest way to meet people for dating or otherwise is to just participate in activities you're interested in.  I meet a lot of people through theater and performing, because that's what I'm into.  If you like sports, you might try www.clevelandplays.com , they have all kinds of sports leagues you can join, I know people who have made good friends that way.  I've mentioned the groups on meetup.com, I made some good friends through the New In Town meetup when I was new to Cleveland, and there are groups for all sorts of interests.

 

Oh, and if you're a straight guy, I can tell you that your personal style has a huge impact on your dating success.  I'm not sure guys know how important this is.  And it's not as much about projecting monetary success as it is about projecting confidence, self-esteem and (dare I say) sexiness.  If you are not the best looking guy in the world you can really improve your chances by dressing right, smiling and projecting confidence.  I can say in absolute honesty that if I walk into an event and have a choice between talking with a super hot guy who dresses like a total slob in a ratty Coors t-shirt with a questionable haircut like a mini-mullet, or a guy who is overweight and balding but is dressed stylishly and looks like a cool person to talk to, I will want to talk to the second guy over the first.  I can't speak for every woman on earth, but I think most of us clue in to a guy's style to tell us whether we will have something in common, whether he likes himself, etc.

 

The first things I look for are haircut and eyewear, because at a formal type event like a wedding or business thing, all the guys will look pretty well dressed, but the hair and glasses never lie.  I personally like glasses on a man, I think they can be very sexy, but only if you get a nice modern style.  You'll be wearing them every day, so be willing to invest some money into a nice pair.  Warning: the Harry Potter look, not sexy.  Also, the big square styles that cover half your face, just reminds me of my dad and grandpa, also not sexy.  Hairstyles: just be aware of what image you are trying to project and who you're trying to attract.  If you like liberal, educated women, stay away from mullets and crew-cuts.  Comb-overs are always bad.  As far as how to dress, that's a whole thread in and of itself...

Interesting topic.

 

I think I will say if there is someone out there who is currently in a relationship that will vouch for the take that "Cleveland is a tough place to be single", I will give it some thought.  Until then, I will just say "you're single and having a hard time meeting someone so you're blaming it on Cleveland".

 

I know some people who have had no trouble bouncing in and out of relationships in this town.  I know others who haven't had been in a legitimate relationship in 10 years.  I think it's more of a reflection on you than it is on the city...and not you personally, but rather the routine you have put yourself in that limits who you are meeting and/or your actual desire/readiness to be in a relationship

you make an interesting point. I had my most active dating life in a small retirement city in fl ( I was dating people my age). Of course I was 23, a size 3, could outsmart most of the hooters waitresses that were my competition. So I admit it wasn't that hard.

There is a brain drain of people who leave for college or first jobs and never come back.  That leaves you young 'uns with a social network of older people who have made their mating choices and people who have felt compelled to get married to start raising children.  I don't have any data.  I am just citing my observations.  I grew up in a mill town where half my high school graduating class left for somewhere else.

Interesting topic.

 

I think I will say if there is someone out there who is currently in a relationship that will vouch for the take that "Cleveland is a tough place to be single", I will give it some thought.  Until then, I will just say "you're single and having a hard time meeting someone so you're blaming it on Cleveland".

 

I know some people who have had no trouble bouncing in and out of relationships in this town.  I know others who haven't had been in a legitimate relationship in 10 years.  I think it's more of a reflection on you than it is on the city...and not you personally, but rather the routine you have put yourself in that limits who you are meeting and/or your actual desire/readiness to be in a relationship

 

That's as anecdotal as our complaints. I maintain it is not easy to meet people around here but I'm not going to go through the litany of why -- we've done that a million times.

I know others who haven't had been in a legitimate relationship in 10 years.  I think it's more of a reflection on you than it is on the city...and not you personally, but rather the routine you have put yourself in that limits who you are meeting and/or your actual desire/readiness to be in a relationship

 

That be me.

^Ladies and gentleman, the most candid, most bone-crushingly sad moment in Urbanohio history. Let us recover.

I know others who haven't had been in a legitimate relationship in 10 years.  I think it's more of a reflection on you than it is on the city...and not you personally, but rather the routine you have put yourself in that limits who you are meeting and/or your actual desire/readiness to be in a relationship

 

That be me.

 

Brother KJP, you're not alone. 

^Ladies and gentleman, the most candid, most bone-crushingly sad moment in Urbanohio history. Let us recover.

 

Sounds like KOOW hasn't been to a forum full of 16-24 year olds in a while. Boards like that are like emo songs.

"I know others who haven't had been in a legitimate relationship in 10 years.  I think it's more of a reflection on you than it is on the city...and not you personally, but rather the routine you have put yourself in that limits who you are meeting and/or your actual desire/readiness to be in a relationship"

 

Yikes, that's probably me too.  I hit the bars and clubs every weekend which DOES NOT WORK.  I definitely should be trying different kinds of clubs instead.  Over the next few weeks, I'll look into that.

^Ladies and gentleman, the most candid, most bone-crushingly sad moment in Urbanohio history. Let us recover.

 

Sounds like KOOW hasn't been to a forum full of 16-24 year olds in a while...

 

And you would be correct.

Sounds like KOOW hasn't been to a forum full of 16-24 year olds in a while. Boards like that are like emo songs.

 

Except that I'm 40!

Of course I was 23, a size 3, could outsmart most of the hooters waitresses that were my competition. So I admit it wasn't that hard.

 

So you're saying the guys liked the fact that you were smarter than the hooters waitresses?  I always thought they were loved for their minds!

 

As the father of 2 daughters in their 20's, I cringe when I see those girls dressed like that.  I have a couple of friends who insist we go there once a year.  I hate it.  I guess I'll never be called a dirty old man!!

I was not a hooters waitress, but at the time, stole a few of their fellows b/c I had 1/2 a brain..I had one guy tell me it was so nice to date a women who didnt want to be a model/actress. lol.

did however read an interesting book about a year ago called "Unhooked Generation" about why so many seemingly normal attractive single people are having such a hard time finding and sustaining a relationship today.  There were numerous reasons why it's just harder now, growing up with divorce and poor role models for healthy relationships, transience (constant moving from city to city and job to job), contradictory gender roles, too many choices including online dating which creates this unwillingness to "settle" becasue there might be someone better around the corner, and a "checklist mentality" whereby everyone has a checklist of qualities that they are looking for, and anyone who doesn't meet even one item on the list is immediately dismissed from consideration.  It definitely struck a chord with me as I was reading it.

 

I think being in a situation where you are around tons of people can be just as bad as not meeting people.  You don't take people as seriously since there's always more.  But if you have been off the scene for awhile you definitely get rusty and can mess it up, especially if the girl has been out there steadily. 

 

My larger theory with a lot of girls is that there's some point (assuming they're not in one of those 5 year things that keeps going with no wedding or breakup in sight) where they decide it's time (be it age 20 or 25 or 30) and whoever their next boyfriend is they change their game and try to snag him.  That's why bars are terrible places to meet women -- because percentage-wise few are at that exact point where they're ready to get serious.  And definitely, few guys are ever at that point, so sorry ladies.     

 

In the past when people lived on farms or at the very least before the recent surge in women attending college things were more straightforward.  All the moving for jobs and education has broken up countless couples. 

True, Jake. I haven't been on this earth long, but it seems like people these days are given so many more options than they were before. I guess the quarter-life crisis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter_life_crisis) is now often extended to people in their 30s and 40s.

Good lord, someone decided to label that sh!t? Back in my day, we called it being in your 20s. :roll:

Good lord, someone decided to label that sh!t? Back in my day, we called it being in your 20s. :roll:

 

insert joke about mayday's age

 

then insert MTS saying something ay chi chi HBIC blah blah

My 20s sucked until I quit my respectable corporate job to go play music all over the continent. I recommend it to everyone.

If only I had some musical talent!

Pack your bags, KJP:

 

[youtube=425,350]UT4cGVNuSnA

more cow bell!

See?

My 20s sucked until I quit my respectable corporate job to go play music all over the continent. I recommend it to everyone.

speaking of being in the 20's and guys in a band getting women -the lowest I ever sunk was dating in guy who played in what amounted to be a James Taylor cover band. :banger:  I hang my head in shame to this day.

If only I had some musical talent!

 

alright, since KOOW didn't go there, I might as well......

 

 

 

 

how about the skin flute?

Well, it's not musical, but it can take you places if you have talent.

If you think Cleveland is a bad place for a (straight) guy to date, it can't get much worse than Cincinnati. Women here seem to assume you're gay if you:

-Don't own a car

-Live downtown

-Drink wine in a bar

-Dress "fancy" (i.e., the occasional collared shirt, khakis instead of jeans)

-Aren't obsessed with the Bengals, etc.

I guess these are all aspects of Midwestern culture, but still...I grew up in an Illinois college town, spent my college years at (notoriously gay) Vassar and in London, and only since I moved to Cincinnati this year have I been (frequently) hit on by gay guys and even had women try to set me up with their gay friends! (But you were drinking wine!...) Am I alone in having these experiences? The gay guys and their "hags" are highly concentrated downtown and VERY aggressive. If only the hot, straight women were the same way!

Wow, am I in denial about my sexual orientation of something? I LOVE wine, love downtown, dressing nice, don't get into sports much outside of lifting weights, and I wouldn't mind living downtown. I also don't have a car (I'm getting one soon though because it's far cheaper for me to park right below where I work downtown than to take a cab).

 

I think you're exaggerating a bit... are you from Colerain or something? I don't think gay people are any more likely to not own a car. They seem to love their cars as much as anyone else, at least the ones I know.

alright, since KOOW didn't go there, I might as well......

 

how about the skin flute?

 

It wasn't until I was 25 years old when I realized what that term meant. I also didn't know what the hand-callouses joke meant, either, until my graduating year of college. When girls hit on me, I wouldn't realize it until hours or days later. I have to be hit on the head (the one above my shoulders, you perverts) before I realize someone is interested in me. Guess my mind has been on a different track for too long.