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Why are single people
"singled out?"
I've actually grown to
enjoy the freedom of being single and all the perks it has to offer
coming and going as I please, not having to account to anyone, being
able to pick up and go or change my mind and stay in. I have grape vines
hanging from my kitchen ceiling and multi-colored fish hanging from the
living room ceiling by the downstairs tank and a virtual garden in my
bedroom and no one can say to me, "Why did you do THAT?" But, then there
are the disadvantages I encounter now and then, that make me feel ...
well, unwelcome.
I don't buy the
Entertainment books that offer "buy one, get one half off" coupons. What
would I do with them? I've even offered to use the coupon alone, paying
75 percent of my meal. No dice. And when I arrive at most restaurants,
the hostess/host usually asks, looking over my shoulder, "Just you
tonight?" or worse, "Only you this evening?" A local movie theater
offered a buy-one-ticket-get-one-free coupon.
"No, you need a date to
use this," I was told. So, I waited outside the theater with my coupon
and found a single man, glad to get the discount. He asked me out
afterward.
I was invited to attend
a charity event and phoned them to order my ticket. The museum employee
took my credit card information and asked, "Will you be paying for the
other ticket(s) with this card?"
No, I'm coming alone.
"Well, this IS a charity
event. The reason why we're having it is to raise money. Isn't there
someone you can find to come with you?"
I haven't been back to
that museum since and never will go again even if I do have a "date."
Visiting Italy with a
tour group, I was charged an extra $700 because I was a single traveler.
And most rooms I was given had a single bed.
I've been told by many
widowed friends how their formerly close couple friends no longer
include them to dinners and other social events.
Apparently, they
wouldn't be attending with their better half: meaning that, without a
spouse, you're only half a person?
Sure, it would be great
to spend time with someone else whose company you enjoy. But, sometimes
you'd rather go solo. I prefer to attend the state Fair alone. That way,
I don't get a strange look when I say, " Let's go to the cow building!"
Saturday night dances? If I go with someone, no one else will ask me to
dance! When I go for a walk, I don't have to keep up with someone else
or expect them to slow down for me.
So, a word to
businesses: the next time you choose to cater to couples or groups only,
remember that 10 single people equal five "couples."
Leaving anyone out
causes hard feelings that may last long enough to hurt your potential
revenue. And to couples: I don't want your husband or boyfriend. Why
would I want your problems? If he's the kind of guy who'd leave you for
me, then he'd leave me for another woman too. I'd rather be single than
desperately holding onto someone who makes me unhappy just to have
SOMEONE when I already have someone: ME.
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