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Four Dating Don’ts You Should Never Do!
Being a single fellow over here, following a very lengthy relationship that spanned just over the edge of twelve years and that had some ups and downs, but was for the most part grand, I find myself on the dating scene again. Oddly enough, this has been a learning lesson for me as I go on date after date with stranger after stranger. I have heard about—and have been subject to—some dates from hell. This led me to be intrigued to look up some classic don’ts that you should always stray far, far away from when on any date. For me, I commonly see these ‘don’ts’ exhibited on many dates that I go on, and am immediately turned off by them.
So for any of you likeminded daters who are out there who are looking for love, perhaps these candid tips will help you avoid the conundrum of being caught in that proverbial dating twist. You know, where you say and do things that you later regret that make or break that date. Usually, I see it from the other side. But rest assured, I myself am guilty of these as well. But I am getting more refined with each passing day; or so I fondly tell myself to stroke my own ego. Without ado, avoid these four don’ts when on a date, and at all costs!
- Never talk about your ex. I cannot emphasize this enough. This is such a bad thing to do. One, you are on a date to meet them and learn more about them, not rehash negative and bad experiences you have had with love. That is a major turn-off and a big time no-no!
- Avoid discussing politics or religion. There is this old time rule about being at a bar: You never talk about either of these subjects because they open the doors to much debate. In par with that notion is when you are on a date. Rather, focus on the person, their likes and dislikes, and who they really are. The other stuff can come later, if you enter into a relationship with them.
- Chivalry is not dead. Guys, I know that it is not the 50s anymore, but have some class. Open the doors, get the drinks, and be attentive and focused on the girl. Always offer to pay the full bill, even if they argue otherwise. Girls have it easier than we men when on dates, that’s for sure. But playing your cards right is always smart.
- Open your ears, not your mouth, and mind your manners. Most commonly I hear the women I know fret over men never listening to them. So this one is a no-brainer: Listen up. Then talk. Also, be mindful of your manners and the way that you present yourself; don’t talk with a mouth full of food or ask your date if they want to go heads-to-toe with a burping contest!
Over Indulgence-Trend or Way of Life?
Over the last decade we have witnessed portions of food growing increasingly larger in their placement on menus and in advertising. Cheese-stuffed pizza crust, bigger burgers, more toppings, deals involving more for less, burritos as big as your head, and huge appetizers served before the salad , soup, entrée and dessert. And currently there are ubiquitous eating competitions and a show on television that shows an idiot trying to eat enough food to feed a small community.
This is disturbing on many levels.
One, there are too many families that are going hungry, and we are feeding our faces more in one meal than some people see on their plates in a week.
Secondly, we have a severe obesity problem in this country that needs to be addressed immediately, a subject that was never discussed in all the gibbering and raving in the debate about health care reform. With heart disease, cancer and diabetes on the rise in children and young adults, it astonishes me that no one brought up the gluttony and lack of exercise that has become pandemic in our society, that Lipitor is being prescribed to 5th graders and teen agers are getting lap band surgery to control their weight. Health insurance coverage cost less if you are in good shape and you may stay out of the hospital and avoid all the diseases if you are healthy. You cannot do this by eating a truck load of food at every meal.
Lastly, I am in the food service industry and wish the propaganda of gluttony would stop. Food was meant to be enjoyed. Other cultures have the “little dishes”-the Maghreb from North Africa, Tapas from Spain, Antojitos from South America, dim sum from China, the amuse-bouches of France, Meze from the Middle East, Zakuski from Russia, and the Smorgasbord from Scandinavia. Unlike hors d’oeuvres’, which means “outside the meal” as an appetizer; the little dishes are the main serving of food but served as smaller portions and enjoyed casually and with rich tradition. In the America we are slowly arriving at this idea with tasting menus and fusion foods that combine different cultures and their customs of eating.
Excessive eating may be a trend we are going through, but I can’t remember the last time I was asked if I wanted my fruit cup super-sized.
The Tempe Town Lake Fourth of July Festival Was Smoking Hot!
I hope that you all had a re
ally grand Fourth July, as mine was just fantastic! My buddies and I decided that we would hit up the Tempe Town Lake Fourth of July Festival—which is hosted off the popular Mill Avenue in Tempe, Arizona and that overlooks a small, manmade lake the really augments the flare of this burgeoning college town. The tickets were very affordable, and cost six bucks a pop if you bought them at the Fry’s Grocery stores, or they were $8 at the gate, or $15 for two at the gate; we bought ours ahead of time so we knew we could get in.
The festival was adorned with all sorts of crazy cool tents that had foods, drinks, wares and so forth to offer. I dined on a pulled pork sandwich at one point, and later on during the evening I enjoyed a half pound Angus beef cheeseburger. There were live bands playing cover tunes, I was not sure what their names were but they were local to the state. All in all, moods were high, people were in good spirits – despite the triple digit heat – and the fest was a blast, to say the least!
At about 9:10 pm, approximately, the fireworks display was unveiled, shot off over the lake and really a spectacle for the eyes to see. In fact, that was the best part: I have never seen such a lengthy display, one that lasted until nearly ten in the evening and that offered a grand finale that truly was both intense and exhilarating! For a town that is well known to offer great festivals, they truly appeased me this time around. Needless to say, I have a good mind to think that I will be in attendance at this fest next year, come the 4th!
Beer, Bikes, Basilica
New Belgium. the brewing company behind Fat Tire beer, are once again bringing the Tour De Fat by Minneapolis this weekend. The free bike-centric extravaganza is a parade, concert, and overall celebration of all things bicycle. The website details the 10 Commandments of the Tour De Fat, encouraging participation in the parade and costumes, highlighting the event’s non-profit orientation (all proceeds go to biking and environmental charities), and reminding you to get there early. The event begins in Loring Park at 9 am with a parade, with circus acts and music interspersed throughout, culminating in the symbolic gesture of changing attitudes towards transportation: One person will be awarded a brand new Fat Tire bike in exchange for the deed to their car. Chicago’s Mucca Pazza (pictured above) will be performing afterward: The 30 piece “circus punk marching band” are amazing live, putting on boisterous performances that makes you wish your high school marching band was anywhere near as awesome.
Since the Tour De Fat is absolutely free, that should free up some money for you to attend the Basilica Block Party later in the evening. This annual event, now in its 16th year, is always something to look forward to, when Cities 97 brings big name national acts to come play in front of the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. Alt-rock heavyweights like Weezer, Spoon, Barenaked Ladies and Guster are all on the bill this year, plus several other local and regional acts, filling three stages over the course of two days. The theme this year is “musical confessions”: The Block Party website invites you to confess your music-themed sins, such as wanting to date the Backstreet Boys when you were a preteen or knowing all the lyrics to Mr. Roboto. Absolve yourself by supporting great music, a sense of community, and contributing to the Basilica, with part of the proceeds going towards ongoing renovations. Tickets are $45 for a single night, $80 for both Friday and Saturday; the band schedules can be found here.
Top Chefs That are Not on The Food Network
Long before Emeril, Giada, The Neely’s and Bobby Flay picked their produce and sharpened their knives to perform culinary magic in front of the camera, there were other famous chefs that have not gotten the respect they deserve for bringing the joy of food to the magic of television.
Here is a top 10 list that will bear witness to their greatness for decades to come.
Top Ten Greatest Television Chefs
#10: Aunt Bea from “The Andy Griffith Show”. Nobody was better at feeding the family on a tight small town sheriff salary than that beloved domestic goddess in the frilly apron. She even had her own TV cooking show until artistic differences interfered.
#9: Alice from “The Brady Bunch”. Cooking for a large family, back before dysfunction became the norm was no easy task, but Alice showed that she could handle the task with her signature Pork Chops and Applesauce.
#8: Igor from “M*A*S*H. Taking constant criticism for all the meals you prepared and served in a war zone, and not killing anybody? That really is dinner impossible.
#7: Cpl. LeBeau from “Hogan’s Heroes”. Whether he was cooking for the Third Reich or making pastries for his bunk mates. He was the stereotypical perfectionist in the kitchen. And being French most likely used more butter than Paula Deen. No wonder the German’s lost the war.
#6: Sue Ann Nivens from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”. Just like Sandra Lee, she put the “happy” in “The Happy Homemaker”. I thought nobody could upstage Mary, but Sue Ann stole the scene when she strolled into the newsroom and rubbed Murray’s bald head. And she made one hell of a Veal St. Olaf.
#5: Mary Ann from “Gilligan’s Island” . Long before Survivor captured our attention and Rachel Ray annoyed us with her perky cuteness, Mary Ann was baking coconut cream pies, all without an oven. Just keeping the Skipper fed was work enough.
#4: Arnold from “Happy Days”. He was the first owner operator of a restaurant on television and a brilliant marketing genius as well. Who else would have served chicken wings at a motorcycle jump in his parking lot? And were there even chicken wings in Milwaukee at that time? The very first Diner Drive In and Dive.
#3: Hop Sing from “Bonanza”. Anyone who could keep Dan Blocker fed and happy had to be a great chef. He also led the way for the employment of immigrants, who are the backbone of the food service industry. Without him, Arnold may have never had the chance to open his drive in. And he made more sense than Aaron MCCargo Jr.
#2: Jack Tripper from “Three’s Company”. When he wasn’t frolicking with beautiful roommates or hanging with Larry at the Regal Beagle, Jack was fooling his landlord and attending chef school, where his grades were good enough for him to graduate and eventually own his own Bistro. Sort of the first Tyler Florence, but Jack was much smoother with the ladies.
#1: Mel from “Alice”. Another successful owner/operator. Everybody made fun of his food and he was abusive to his customers and wait staff long before Bobby Flay , but Mel had a heart of gold and became a father figure to Tommy and gave each of the waitresses $5000 when he closed the diner.
Honorable Mention:
*Granny from the “Beverley Hillbillies”
*Mr. French from “A Family Affair”
*Uncle Charlie from “My Three Sons”
*Frank De Fazio from “Laverne and Shirley
*The Swedish Chef from “The Muppets”
*Mrs. Livingston from “The Courtship of Eddies Father”
*Mrs. Krause from “Benson”