Test Driving

My friend M is going on a date tonight. She actually has two first dates this week. Tonight's location is this smoky local sports bar that men seem to gravitate to ... she's not particularly jazzed about it so we'll see what the post-date recap reveals. I think she's planning on a two beer limit followed by a timely exit. Hopefully he doesn't put his foot in his mouth like past dates with regards to animals & vegetarians. She is a HUGE animal lover. I know there are many, many more faux pas crimes to list among the 'ghosts of dates past', but they're escaping me. I didn't think reliving those ghosts by phone as she was heading to meet set up #17BG45 would be much of a lift for her - she already has low expectations on the outcome of tonight's meeting.

Too bad dates don't come in makes & models. That might help things along. Like cars, people could be categorized by domestic or import, sedan or SUV, entry level or luxury, two door or four door, etc. etc. You'd start with the research and then pick a few cars. Once you've narrowed it down a bit you could then window shop at the dealership on a Sunday when the salesmen aren't around. Get a first glance anonymously, no commitment, no obligation.

After letting that sink in and forming your first impressions, you'd return when the dealership was open. Hear the sales pitch and go for test drives. Exchange contact details with the salesman and talk about price, trade in value, paint, interior (leather or cloth, gray or beige), and all of the other upgrades - security system, sunroof, smart key, upgraded speakers, and on and on.

At that point, if you're impulsive (or perhaps it's called decisive by some), you buy on the spot. Roll out of the parking lot with your new wheels, windows down, radio up, wind blowing in your hair feeling pretty damn good about life.

Or, you contemplate, negotiate & ease into the deal a little more slowly. However you buy a car I do wonder if there is a way to find a mate in a similar fashion. Not sure that set ups, internet dating, meeting through other channels - that any of these capture some of the benefits of a car shopping/buying format. But after all, car buying is pretty one-sided - it's all about what the car can do for you. Relationships aren't. Are they?!

Just realizing that I am channeling Carrie Bradshaw a bit in this post. If only life was as simple as we thought it was when we were kids - when playing encompassed the majority of our time. Not work, bill paying, car shopping, dating, or reality tv.