Dating vs. Mating Game

So when did the dating game officially become the mating game? Was it a government conspiracy of some kind, or did I simply not get the memo? Now, I'd love to blame even this on the rising price of gas, but I just can't find a strong enough link. I've been giving this a good deal of consideration, and like gas prices, I don't think relationships have ever been at such a point. We've, seemingly, fallen to such depths that actual 'ladies' and 'gentlemen' have altogether ceased to exist. Courtship turned into dating, which then became hook-ups, which later regressed into booty-calls. Just when it looked like it wouldn't be possible to plunge deeper into the abyss, in comes the...wait for it...booty-text.

Now I'm not calling for a step back into the Jane Eyre and Wurthering Heights days of soaking blue balls in buckets of ice water for 3 years before even getting a mere glance at a chastity belt. Speaking of which, does anyone else find it even remotely ironic that the name 'Chastity' has become so fashionable with the stripping profession? But I digress...the old adage of "all men are dogs and only want sex" is completely out the window these days. In the past, even though we KNEW women wanted it as well, at least they 'played the role' and acted like they wanted something more meaningful. No bullshit, I actually had a woman just walk up an grab my junk in a club a few weeks back, and then suggestively smile at me while saying, "Shiiit, I had to see what you was workin with...ya feel me?" Then had the audacity to act surprised by my disgust and disinterest in dancing with her.

Where has the morality, the self-respect, hell...the dignity gone with you ladies? I know, I know, you're going to tell me that 'lady' (and I use that term lightly) was more of the exception rather than the norm. Well, yes, of course you have a point there, but skankage aside, you still have an overwhelming percentage that are simply confused regarding what they actually want. You know these women. The ones that claim all they need is a man that treats them well, is respectful and responsible, and can hold a consistent job. Yeah, you can always spot these women because they are generally constantly complaining about how either their man doesn't do this/that, or are steady at the club looking for the next pretty boy with the always classy neck-tatt and multiple babies mommas. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not hating on these men or the women that love them, for that matter. I know thugs, like big beautiful women, need love too, and I would never discourage either. All I'm saying is that you can't come to me claiming to want butterflies, puppies, and long walks in the park, when what you really want is a roughneck full of swagger, with a baby-arm between his legs, and the faint hint of liquor and weed on his breath.

Now ladies, before you start slicing holes in my chest with those laser beams that have undoubtedly replaced your eyes by this point, allow me to ask my fellas a few questions as well. When did it cease to be 'manly' to actually 'love' a woman? When, exactly, did it become a problem or soft/weak to do things like opening doors, pulling out chairs, or (heaven-forbid) tell your woman you love her while your boys are around? Why are we taking our manhood ideology lessons from Lil Wayne? Lick, lick, lick you like a lolipop is not sexy, clever, imaginative, nor is it impressive.

Listen party people, as I continue along my journey towards sanity in an insane world, all I ask is that we return to (at the very least) some form of the 'real' in terms of how we relate and interact with one another. Don't get me wrong, the current state is highly entertaining...but sadly, not very fulfilling.