filed in Sex and Dating
Dating Protocol
As we approach 2015, are traditional gender roles still relevant when it comes to dating?
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4 comments for “Dating Protocol”
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Relevant, for me, doesn’t mean adhere to. But they are still relevant as an indication of where a person is coming from. Sort of a litmus test. I find there is a wide range of behavior concerning gender roles. Some are completely traditional and others completely nontraditional. And someone may be traditional in some areas but not others. It can be confusing and also very interesting. I’m a combination leaning mostly nontraditional. I like it when preferences are explored openly.
I’ve always been proactive in work and play. In the romantic realm, I find I learn more when I take a step back.
While I don’t believe that a woman should allow tradition to keep her from making the first move, I’ve never felt comfortable actually doing it. I’m not saying that I’ve never asked a man out first (I have, sometimes with great results), but it’s still really far outside of my comfort zone.
For me, I think it’s probably not a matter of gender roles or preferences. I think it’s fear of rejection, and it’s something that I’ve often experienced in non-romantic interactions as well; for instance, I also hate going to parties where I don’t already know most of the other party-goers, because I know the chances are pretty good that I’ll end up mostly observing and not mingling. I tend to be pretty shy until I get to know a person, male or female.
Through the years, I’ve gotten much better at handling rejection (in all arenas). I now know it won’t kill me.