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…not your typical love site, but taking a more rounded perspective on the topic -- based on personal experiences as well as that of friends, and life...

Ticking the Boxes

September 11th 2007 04:00
ticking-boxes looking-for-partner

Most of us were taught to have goals and objectives ever since we could make our own decisions. Usually starting as goals and objectives relating to studies and career, these then transitioned to goals relating to personal life – i.e. marital status, lifestyle, assets, etc.


Having a good life and a great lifestyle are likely on the list, when you ask most people what they want. Throw in holidays and a good salary, and it’ll be the perfect list.

So, does the same work for your personal life – do most people have a list of what they look for in a long-term partner?

Pia is a strong believer of ‘the list’ – she has had lists since high-school! One who was keen to walk down the aisle in a white meringue dress and have half-a-dozen kids by 30, she definitely had a list going for what she wanted in a long-term partner. He had to be the same faith (as she was), never been married, well-educated and in a good profession. Unfortunately, 30 arrived (and went)…and there was still no sign of that perfect mate – until just recently. Happily married now, she still believes in ‘the list’ but (reluctantly) agreed that ticking the boxes doesn’t always work.

Ticking the boxes can sometimes work to our disadvantage, as recalled by Gion. He once had a date with a girl who appeared to be working for the IRS. It was a long evening of being interrogated quizzed on which suburb he lived in, what car he drove, to what he thought of platinum credit cards. Flashing beacons dollar signs warned Gion to erase this prospect from the little black-book.


While not all females (and males) tick the boxes to find the perfect mate, most do. I don’t think it’s wrong, nor is it necessarily a bad approach – perhaps we just need to be more aware of which of the boxes are necessary to tick...or is it necessary at all?
black-and-white cupid shooting arrow


Does making a list and (mentally) ticking the boxes work? Can we get too carried away trying to tick all the boxes?





The cupid image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5, Really Long Link



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Comments
15 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by katyzzz

September 11th 2007 04:11
Sure can, Lara, and when we meet the right one, somehow the list doesn't seem to matter any more.

katyzzz

Comment by Mr Nice Guy

September 11th 2007 04:16
Nailed it Katyzzz

MNG

Comment by Michaelie

September 11th 2007 04:19
My list is so long, by the time I finish ticking boxes, my dream man will have gone bald on top and grey on the chest, obtained a hearing aid, filled a prescription for Viagra, gone senile and forgotton who the hell I am.

I blame my unrealistic expectations on escapist romance novels.

Michaelie

Comment by KylieW

September 11th 2007 05:02
I think a list can be a good thing. Especially if you always find yourself with the 'wrong' kind of person.

But you can't live by lists alone!

Comment by Aimzster

September 11th 2007 06:59
Hi Lara, I used to have a list about the man I was going to marry (tall, dark, handsome, killer abs, wealthy, green eyes, Polish, went by the initials BP) but as Katyzzz said, when the right partner came along, the list went out the window. But then I do have another friend who takes her lists to the extreme. After she has her first date with the guy, she does her checklist and will refuse to see them again if they don't add up. It's good to have a list as a guideline but not if you intend to stick to it to the letter.

Comment by Ash

September 11th 2007 07:19
Hi Lara

I don`t think lists are a good thing - Mr Right could pass you by just because he has the wrong hair colour or has the wrong job. To me those are just parts of what we are... not who we are.


That`s my opinion anyway.

Ash

Comment by Chic Critique

September 11th 2007 08:06
I'm a little ambivalent about the whole thing.....

...it's sometimes wise for some people to have a clear idea of what they want....and writing a list can help provide that tangibility....

....as long as they're flexible and allow chemistry and life to abolish it and not let it get in the way when they meet the love of their life.

Nobody is perfect and lists do have a tendency to be, erm, unrealistic? That's why they say "for better or worse".....we've got to take the good with the bad.

Cheers
CC


Comment by Always Eighteen

September 12th 2007 10:59
Funny post! I especially like the image. How about hairy shoulders? I saw a guy walking around topless in the city once with really hairy shoulders.


One problem I've had is a list I've made that compares a current partner with the ex... I'd think "Oh, but my previous partner never did this," and "my previous partner never did that."


Comment by Cibbuano

September 13th 2007 00:38
I'm with Chiq - chemistry makes up for everything.

Sure, rationally, I may think 'my perfect girl needs to have these qualities'... but it's much more exciting when you meet someone that DOESN'T fit your criteria, and you still find them unbearably attractive.


Comment by Anonymous

September 13th 2007 01:24
My tick boxes...very simple. 1. Must be taller than me..that's easy bcoz m hardly 5 ' tall. 2. Nice teeth, no dentures...i can't live with that 3. Must be able to speak English...proper English. 5. Earn/take home pay must be more than mine. 4. Single and...you know lah there is no number 2, 3 or 4

xoxo Niena

Comment by Lara M

September 13th 2007 07:03
Hi everyone...thanks for your comments. I've been having major issues with Bigpond Broadbentband. My network keeps dropping out intermittently making it really difficult to keep-up with reading/commenting/replying and posting --- aaaaargh...driving me nuts! I'll come around yours soon...




...when we meet the right one, somehow the list doesn't seem to matter any more.
...so right, katyzzz.





Good to see you, MNG. Thanks for popping in.





<LOL>...thanks for the chuckle, Michaelie. ...escapist romance novels AND movies!





I agree, Kylie. It can be a good guide for some. It's only when it starts becoming the *mantra* then it's trouble





The initials BP, huh, Aimzster...does he happen to be with someone initialed AJ...? <giggle>

Your friend could be missing the one by doing that, no...?
I agree it doesn't have to be followed to the extreme...

Comment by Lara M

September 13th 2007 07:17
You're quite right there, Ash. It can be a good guide for the broader factors, but totally agree that a list on face-value stuff would be unrealistic.





Agree, CC...and some good insights you've imparted us with. It can be good for some particularly if they keep getting into bad relationships, but being realistic is key.





Oooo...the comparison of the current with the ex, huh, Dean. That'll be a danger zone with the current, and a tad unfair. Like a few people have said, each person is different...and there must've been something that attracted you to her/the current. ...but I can understand how it can sometimes be difficult to absolutely let go of the past...





Very true, Cibbuano. ...and that's the intriguing part of being in a relationship, as well as meeting someone.





That's a tall list, Niena Just remember to be realistic...he just may be a really nice guy...dentures and all...!



Comment by Trina

September 13th 2007 08:46
Hey Lara,

I've always had lists and I end up getting the guy I want (although after a long wait and no casuals in between). Sure I've only ever had 2 boyfriends and no other dates/flings so one might say I'm inexperienced, but I believe it's because I found the right guy (at that time).

I think with lists, it's about keeping it realistic and more focused on the personality side of things more than the physical (shallow) attributes. I like Niena's list. Except for number 3, no need for proper English for me - love speaks body language

Comment by D. Armenta

September 13th 2007 18:58
Hahaha! I predict:

Niena's going to find a 4'9", denture-wearing, spanish-speaking unemployed musician...

Comment by Lara M

September 14th 2007 06:24
Thanks for sharing, Trina. Glad your list worked out -- so true about being realistic ain't it...




funny, D -- ...let's try to humour her, eh...

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