The various ways people gamble on love

Why do some people go for blind dates? Why do they take this kind of risk in search for a possible partner? Is it really risky or is it just exciting?

I think the innocent and the daring ones who believe that love is fortuitous will always desire to play the blind dating game, whatever the outcome is. In the following stories, let us see who wins the game.

Being one of the singles in the group, friends have offered their brothers, their cousins and even their ex-ones to this girl. She has always said "No, thanks." One friend though was very insistent and seemed very sure that the girl will like the guy; so finally, she agreed. She chose a fast food restaurant because she does not want him to spend much for it would be a one-time date anyway. Bah! "The guy looks so neat, well mannered and hmmm… my weakness… has a wonderful set of teeth." The girl thinks, "This is it!" As they talked over, the guy started to sweat profusely without bothering to wipe his face. The girl felt quite uneasy; obviously bothered by his slackness. Then he nervously placed his tray under the table and repeated it three times more as if checking the girl’s legs or shoes perhaps. Of course, the girl felt so self-conscious, checked if her legs are securely locked and wanted to whack the guy with her tray!

The boy was so excited to meet his date. He scrubbed himself clean and carefully chose the right clothes and perfume to wear. He picked her up on time to impress her but she made him wait for a lifetime. The boy tried to be patient and thought that it may be worthwhile after all. Finally, the girl came down the stairs (in slow motion, just like in a dream sequence of a movie) wearing a mini skirt… and the legs appeared. The boy was thrilled to see her fair and smooth legs. Little by little, every part was being revealed. Uh-Oh, she was wearing a sleeveless top which showed her enormous arms! The thrilled boy thought "I have just met Ms. Thrilla in Manila." He wanted to flee but being the gentleman he is, he went through the date… almost in silence.

A lively and hopeful girl was set to meet a boy who is a doctor and the only heir in his family. They agreed on the phone about the color of their outfits when they meet. The boy said he will wear blue shirt and jeans. There was no description of the face or age for suspense. When the girl arrived at the restaurant, there were already two guys sitting down, both in blue shirts. The one facing her was bald, fat and old while the other was facing back. The girl got scared so she went out for fresh air. Then someone called out her name.

The voice! A voice that could only belong to a handsome fellow! When she turned around, he was indeed handsome, tall and fair. Everything seemed perfect afterwards. Eventually, they had a mutual understanding and the girl can’t believe her luck. She asks herself "What is the catch?" After sometime, her question has been answered. The girl found out he is… gay.

In the stories above, it showed that we have our own standards of ideal partners. When we ask friends for a date, we specify exactly what we want; but friends fail and we wonder how the hell did they think will we like their chosen ones? Does this tell us we shouldn’t be blinded ourselves by setting up standards when it comes to love?

A well meaning customer set a date for a Filipina friend working in a Deli Shop and for an American businessman looking for a brown eyed girl. The Filipina agreed. One day, she was informed that the man will be waiting for her at the Deli Shop. When she arrived, she spotted a dashing man having a cup of coffee. The man amiably smiled upon seeing her. This only made her heart throb. "I must be dreaming," she tells herself. When the man stood up, the lady felt so small that she wanted to disappear. Not that the man did something to embarrass her but the lady was literally small as opposed to the tall man. "How on earth will we walk together, hold hands, kiss and… how will we… (!)… Waaaahh! She was so dismayed by her foolish dream though however discouraging the difference is, it didn’t stop them from falling in love! They got married after a month.

Alas, a winner! Blind dates may make the adventuresome pass through paths they wish not to take if they only had the luck to find love the easy way.

The innocent and the daring ones just have to be careful of this game. They should know what their purposes are, their reasons for playing, their moral values and their capabilities as the major player.

It is like gambling where there is a bigger chance of losing but when one is armored with his/her own rules, win or lose, the game has been played well.