Not Only the Lonely

Writer, 25, dark hair, brown eyes, GSOH, seeks reliable, intelligent, 30-something man for long walks, long conversations and long-term relationship. Not time wasters.

OK. So I did it! But then everybody’s doing it. There are over two million people registered with dating agencies – and that’s the expensive way to do it. So there must be at least twice as many using “Lonely Hearts” ads. The thing is, the men and women who place these ads aren’t necessarily lonely. Take me. I’m not. I’ve got a wide circle of friends. And an active social life. it’s just that my circle of friends does not include many single men. So, if I want to meet any single males I need to take positive action. My ad joined those of other professional women who do not have the time to follow the more usual methods of finding a partner and those of some of the 1.5 million single mothers who have obvious difficulties in getting out.

And was it a successful ad? Well, I think 75 replies speaks for itself! Some of the replies were touching; some were surprising, some appalling. A few people clearly did not have sufficient self-knowledge to realize they were nerds. Others were, for a variety of reasons, clearly unsuitable. In the end I met 12. of these, 7 were liars, usually much older, fatter or uglier than their photos suggested; two were nerds, missed at the initial examination. One was far too enthusiastic about putting his hand on my knee; one lived in Edinburgh, a beautiful city (and he was a nice man) but I wanted a long-term friend – not a long-distance one.

The last one I met was Gavin. 36, intelligent, good-looking, kind, definitely GSOH, and sitting across the table from me as I write this. Oh yes – and tomorrow he moves into my flat. I did it. And it works!

4) Mark the following sentences T (true) or F (false):

The writer thinks that over million people use “Lonely Hearts” ads.

Most people who use “Lonely Hearts” ads don’t have many friends.

Professional women use the ads because they don’t have much time for socializing.

Some people lied when they replied to the writer’s ad.

She met her current partner through her ad.

5) Discuss these questions in pairs or small groups:

What does the writer mean when she says “I did it”?

Do you think the writer really does have “a wide circle of friends”?

Are “Lonely Hearts” ads popular in your country as a way of meeting people?

How do you feel about people who place “Lonely Hearts” ads” Do you think they are sad and lonely? Or are they just normal people who are too busy to meet the sort of people they would like to?

If you ever placed an ad or replied to one, would you lie about your age, your appearance, your job, your income, your past?

In your country where do most people meet their partners (in school/ at work, at parties, through “Lonely hearts” ads, in bars and nightclubs, through their family and friends, some other way)?

What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of trying to make friends through a “Lonely Hearts” ad?

Are there any dangers involvd in meeting people through a “Lonely Hearts” ad? What advice would you give a friend who told you (s)he was going out tonight on a lonely hearts date?

Write a description of yourself in 25 words for a “Lonely Hearts” ad. Put together the descriptions from everyone in the class and mix them up. Ask the teacher to read them out one at a time. Can you recognize the writers? Has anybody lied?

Дата добавления: 2014-12-29