To play pretend or not?

“Courtship is to marriage, as a very witty prologue to a very dull play”

~William Congreve

Getting associated with someone romantically means abiding by what is expected, by respecting society’s rules of what should and shouldn’t be done.

Proving loyalty to these expectations does by no means ensnare one’s resourcefulness, so why is it that pretentious dinners still top the charts. There is nothing special about being able to show off table etiquette and put down a generous tip. Looking at it from a first date’s perspective, the chances of conversation flowing are slim and to add to the awkwardness; human instinct demands we excel in making a flawless impression.

Another date classic is the ever foolproof drink at the local pub. As bland as the lack of initiative is it provides a cosy alcoholic lubrication that God knows fills the void between strangers. Casual coffee follows baring the promise of light chit chat in a mellow atmosphere.

The extensive procedures of courtship seem eternal and so beyond unnecessary and yet liaisons are being made endlessly. Romance has not died, it has however been cursed by narrow minds and pessimistic hearts. Where have the spontaneous soulful memory makers evaporated to? Why do men and women keep consenting to unexceptional normality when we have so many resources to enjoy and share with one another? Or have we just become selfish and unwilling to put in the time and effort to see someone smile.

Vision doesn’t have to cost a dime. My personal best-loved was a walk through the nature reserve where my escort and I discovered a lovely low-branched tree and there we squatted discussing everything from our interests to the severe lapses in political systems. I fell in love that day, with a man who was crouched in the beams of an overgrown tree like an imp. My point is that the most simple yet thoughtful of things can truly be the most sublime. When people express a genuine attentiveness to who you are, they don’t want to get to know the mask you wear.

When I googled: "Lovers on a date" the image below is the first one that popped up. Case and point.