Meeting For Marriage

A bunch of guys and I have been invited to dine with a similar number of girls whom we haven't met before. If that alone raised your eyebrows, then don't worry - I had a similar reaction.

Informal matrimonial events and meetings aren't anything new; in fact, they're probably older than the more recent versions of speed dating and the like. Nevertheless they can still be as clinical, prescribed and forced as the contemporary and more fashionable equivalents, and as such, are just as disquieting and nerve-racking for some too - most attendees are on edge before such an occasion and unintentionally end up bringing this baggage with them. I doubt anyone acts normal under these kinda circumstances. I know I don't.

But then why are we so apprehensive to the concept anyway? Is it about the (lack of) expectations? Sure, some people say that these things are all really just about meeting new people and networking and nothing more, but I think most would also admit that this is a big fat lie that they tell themselves in order to get through it. I think that on some level it's about the potential disappointment but also, paradoxically, more about something actually happening as well.

It doesn't have to be like this though, and a more mature person wouldn't prejudice such an opportunity in the way that I am obviously doing (and I'm sure some of you will be queuing up to tell me as much). But despite this I think that there are more people than not who have at least some trouble dealing with the meeting of potential partners in such an overt and blatant manner (some things never change: I also mentioned this here, way back when I first started writing this very blog).

If I was a betting man, I'd say that nothing (with respect to any long term relationship) will happen at this meeting. But there clearly is a chance and, just like the way The National Lottery keeps telling us, you have to be in it to win it. And it doesn't necessarily have to be about hooking up on this one single night either - these experiences tell you things about yourself that you might not have known; and like anything else it will probably help you grow and all that.

And, of course, even if it turns out that you don't fancy any of these particular attendees, you could find that some of them have much prettier friends or siblings that they could introduce you to. Just kidding guys, just kidding.