Thumbs up, Thumbs down

The art of reading others is not an easily learned skill. In fact, few and far between ever really master the art, but its something we all desire. When meeting someone else, we yearn for the ability to see how things will go before they occur. But this will never happen.

The true art falls back on something quite simple-- thumbs up, thumbs down.

It goes something like this, I meet someone at a bar. I'm into him. Then good heavens! What's he saying? Oh my, he doesn't like to read OR learn?! In fact, he has absolutely nothing to offer me. My friend is just within arms reach, I squeeze her arm with force and she comes to the rescue.

Guy number 2, memories of guy number 1 flash, but luckily they are just memories. Guy number 2 offers more. Interesting conversation starts easily flowing between us, then my friend sees me and signals thumbs up thumbs down. I give the I'm OK go ahead: thumbs up. No rescue needed.

It's not really mind reading so much as knowing how to read your friends signals when it comes to meeting men.

The dating world is brutal, sometimes you need a good friend at your side to rescue you from the number 1 guys in the world. And then sometimes its good to know that you've got a friend there even when you've got a number 2 guy. Because really we don't have the ability to see how things will go, and its nice to know I don't always need to be rescued, but its also nice to know the option is there, just waiting for a thumbs up or thumbs down.

And as shallow or ridiculous as the process seems, it works. I know a person can not truly be judged in the first moments met, but I'd also like to avoid that feeling of getting trapped in a horribly awkward situation in a crowded bar. You might tell me to just walk away, but wouldn't that be rude? Isn't it nicer to have a friend come chat you both up than to face immediate and utter rejection? Everyone wins, no one has to get rejected and no one has to get stuck in a mind numbing situation. Instead, you all peacefully part ways-- all because of a simple hand gesture.

~z.

*Picture pulled from here