The Little Things

I recently called my mother and heard "little people" in the background, only to find that she was in the company of my 3 year old nephew and 2 year old niece.  Of course, I needed to speak with them and my mother handed my nephew the phone. He immediately said, "Hello, I'm Thomas.  What's your name?"  I was stunned into silence, a huge grin spread across my face and tears welled in my eyes as I thought "wow he's so grown up."  I introduced myself but he informed me that he couldn't hear me and I should turn my phone up louder.  The phone was passed to my niece who, regardless of who could hear and who could not, proceeded to talk my ear off in a fusion of real and nonsense words.  Those brief conversations made my day.

Until I checked my online dating inbox.  I was inundated with tons of "hi beautiful" and "WYD" and "call me (insert phone number here)."  Not one -- NOT A SINGLE ONE -- took the time to introduce himself.  My 3 year old nephew already understands the importance of it.  What has changed for men of 40+ years?

Yes, I've heard the sob stories and grievances about the sites -- you never know if someone is "real," it's hard to get responses, you can't get to know someone online, I don't get on this site often, I'm better at face to face interactions -- but I maintain that the ability to communicate transcends media.  I'm capable of relating to people via phone, text, Skype, email, and of course face-to-face.  And I'm no superwoman.

I do realize their are levels to any "-ship" (friendship, partnership, relationship), but each begins somewhere.  If you sign into a website or download an app, create a profile, upload a pic (some of which need to be deleted, but that's another blog), then take the time to have a bit of introductory discussion on the site. [Note: I don't have to say that this is my opinion since this is my blog and it should be "understood" that anything said here is my opinion.]

So, what's a girl to do?  Well, the adult males seem to have lost their way. While I wait for them to find themselves, I'll talk to the kids.