As
a writer, I avoid cliches like the plague...HAHA! But
seriously, cliches are old, tired, and they show absolutely no thought. I
mean, do I make you read that some guy's skin was as white as snow? No.
It's a major insult to your intellect. So when I have to hear a cliche
or overused saying in the real world, as a response to my newly single
status or some other dating dilemma, it's
offensive and frustrating."
Why
do we have so many sayings and maxims for dating? A single gal is
likely to get slammed with them ad nauseam as soon as she expresses any
unhappiness at her situation.
Since we
could all use a good laugh, I asked some friends and Twitter followers
to send in their most hated adages. I know you've heard them all before,
but I just couldn't believe how many there were! Here's a tiny
compilation. Enjoy -- today, they're not directed at you!
It
happens when you're not looking. "This is just bull.
Some people find people when they're looking; some don't. You're not
doing anything wrong by going out and meeting people."
-Beth
There are plenty
of fish in the sea. "I dated a guy whose last name was
Fish. People just had a BLAST with that one." -Kelly
So,
why are you single? "I generally dislike this
question. I mean honestly, if I knew why, I don't think I would be
single right now, now would I?!" -Erica
You're
too picky. "This may be true, but it feels like I'm
getting criticized for my taste, vision, and close-mindedness -- when
I'm already down." -Sarah
You'll
find the right person for you. -Kelly
He's
out there. -Kelly
It
was just bad timing. "Like it's so easy to dismiss a
guy on such an emotionless and objective reason." -Taryn
Just
have fun with it! "Um, don't tell me how to date in my
thirties when you got married at 24." -Maya
Have
you tried online
dating? "Duh!" -Elisa
He
just wasn't the right guy for you. "I know! That's
what I'm complaining about!" - Elisa
Well,
when Steve and I first got together... "Wait, I still
want to talk about me." -Elisa
When
the time is right, you will meet someone.
-Betsy
Wow, I wish I
were single and in your shoes! "Really?! I'm pretty
sure you CAN be single if you actually want to be. That there is an
attainable dream, so if you aren't messing with me right now out of pity
(which I suspect you are), please go for it!" -Kim
Your
turn next [at weddings]. -Natlondon, via
Twitter
It will happen
when you least expect it. -dlegas05, via
Twitter
Some guy is
going to come along and ruin your career/life plans. "I
am 32 and no one has ruined the last 10 years of plans." -frolicblog,
via Twitter
But you're
so pretty! Why don't you have a boyfriend? "There's
just no graceful way to answer that." -earnesteats, via
Twitter
It just wasn't
meant to be. "Any of these platitudes are exponentially
more annoying when coming from the mouths of smug marrieds."
-Reberoodle, via Twitter
Sure,
Steve rescues kids from abusive homes, donated my sister a kidney, and
picks up fresh flowers for me daily on his way home from work, but will
he QUIT IT with the sports on TV already? "Single
people just hate to be complained to about petty relationship stuff. If
you do this, I'm not going to want to hang out with you. (In fact, maybe
I'll call Steve and ask him if he wants to watch the Yankees game?)"
-Kim
Bottom line, if you're in a
relationship or married and you don't have any specific, original advice
or wisdom for your single friend -- and you must use an established
saying -- we would prefer to hear neutral ones like, "This too shall
pass" or "Take it one day at a time." They are so much more helpful and
comforting -- you have no idea!
Also of
note: not one person I polled mentioned they were tired of hearing,
"He's just not that into you." I think that's because it's not
condescending. And apparently, it's not overused. So that one is still
OK to say. Thanks for listening!
