Where’s the Woo?

There’s absolutely nothing better than a great date. Nothing. I know right now many of you are mentally listing all the things you think are better than a great date: the first kiss, the amazing relationship that could ensue, being whisked away to Greece to float aimlessly on the Mediterranean together, the beautiful children you’ll make, and last but most certainly not least, the possibility of smokin’, clear-the-kitchen
-table-with-one-hand-so-he/she-can-throw-you-
down-on-it sex. Yeah, there’s that.

But think about it. When you’re smack dab in the middle of that great date, all those things are still possibilities, nothing is ruled out yet. The routine of everyday life is put on hold. For a few hours, you get to live in that incredible world where the interesting conversation never stops, you can’t seem to keep your hands to yourself, your stomach jumps so much you think it might come out through your belly button and you can’t stop smiling. Then you lock eyes and…oh, yeah. You know what I’m talkin’ about.

It’s even better if your partner in crime has planned a unique or spectacular outing. Whether it’s courtside seats, a candlelit home-cooked dinner, or a picnic in the park, nothing makes your stomach jump higher than a thoughtfully planned date. It doesn’t have to be expensive and he/she may not even know you well enough to know what your interests are. It just needs to be thoughtful. Whether it’s your first date or your one thousandth date, a little planning and effort goes a long way. I’m just sayin’.

Lately, though, it seems the thoughtfully planned date has fallen by the wayside. What’s up with that? Maybe it’s partially due to the popularity of online dating, where a quick drink or coffee sets the pace.

Or maybe it has to do with the fact that everyone is just so damned busy, we’re now pursued with text messages. Text messages, for God’s sake. Where’s the love, people? Where’s the wooing in that, I ask you? What happened to the good old days when people would use that miraculous invention called the telephone to call you up, make a little light conversation and ask you to dinner? I’d settle for an email. At least then the asker takes the time to string together a few sentences, preferably with punctuation. I’ll even give up capitalization, but I do require whole words, not abbreviations. None of this “Do u wnt 2 go 2 dinner 2morrow nt” (note the absence of question mark). What is that? Does this make anyone swoon? Is anyone’s stomach jumping yet? There’s movement in my stomach all right, but I think it might be turning, not jumping.

So here’s my challenge to you, world. Are you listening? Because here’s how I think we can change things. Bring back the woo. Please.