29 Comments
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Peter Someone's avatar

Why patience and former addicts?

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James S.  Wilkerson's avatar

I’d think that if a man were to take “wait five dates for sex” and “avoid having sex with too many people such that you get ‘spiritually ran-through’” as applying to them as well, that that WOULD come out contrary to your

#1 “maybe means no” and

“Men do not play hard-to-get”.

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James S.  Wilkerson's avatar

(Yes, I KNOW you were probably thinking of creating/defining a relationship in the second, but women *can* want to move faster, physically)

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James S.  Wilkerson's avatar

Does “shit-talking exes is a red flag” (#5) contradict “if he did it to someone else, he’ll do it to you,” (#12) if one gender-swaps? The first, if one substitutes “criticizes” for “shit-talks”, seems to discount his judgement. The second seems to trust his exes’ judgements of him.

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James S.  Wilkerson's avatar

Do you see no conflict between #32 and #39? Encouraging BOTH partners to become “the less invested one” can become a race to be the more avoidant one to try to get the OTHER one to “chase”.

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wolfgang's avatar

25 isn't specifically gendered, but I rly think a lot of men need to internalize it too. Apps force you into a scarcity mindset and tons of men will try to have sex as fast as possible without even asking "Do I like her?" because they think another opportunity will never come again

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Katherine Dee's avatar

I wrote an article about that this year. Men also need to be discerning with sex!

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Fran Mason's avatar

This is all great advice and true things I wish I'd known in my early twenties. If I'd had the ability to take it in, that is.

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Mj Clark-Reynolds's avatar

OMG #58! Goes with "if he wanted to he would". Great list

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Martin Greenwald, M.D.'s avatar

1) Excellent list. Lot's I agree with, and the things I don't agree with are still thought-provoking.

2) Help me understand #32: "It’s always better to be the less invested partner, even if it isn’t the more fun option."

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Katherine Dee's avatar

I think you’re at higher risk if you’re the partner that’s head over heels in love

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Martin Greenwald, M.D.'s avatar

Ok I was confused as to whether you were saying "don't be over-the-top invested" vs "it's best to hold back a bit" vs something else.

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Katherine Dee's avatar

this list is kinda old and may be due a video

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Strabo's avatar

I dont mean this as an attack, but on #67, you're talking about people who portray themselves as misfits, make it their persona and constantly play the victim card, right? Cause if you mean it broadly, then that comes off as a very out of touch thing to say.

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Katherine Dee's avatar

I do

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Katherine Dee's avatar

I mean, what you described - the identity of Misfit(tm) not someone who is legitimately marginalized

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Strabo's avatar

Ah I see, in that case I fully agree.

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Katherine Dee's avatar

One thing this list suffers from also is assuming the reader is straight and only pursues one type of relationship

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James S.  Wilkerson's avatar

What about neurodivergence, assuming best efforts to “fit in”?

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Katherine Dee's avatar

I think I myself count as neurodivergent tbh

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Jonathan Herz's avatar

Such a timely article as I’ve just signed my divorce papers this month. Really not looking forward to dating again. Not sure if I even want to.

Re: #25… I’ve never had to wait that long in my adult life. But maybe I’ve been dating the wrong women? I kind of think if she made me wait that long I would assume she isn’t in to me. Not saying that it’s bad to wait, it’s just that’s what my dating history has made me feel.

#53 is probably good advice.

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James S.  Wilkerson's avatar

Yeah, most advice lists to men AND women say “if there isn’t physical chemistry and [usually] sex by the third date, you aren’t compatible enough to date”

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Katherine Dee's avatar

I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?

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Jonathan Herz's avatar

Oh it’s been going on for a while. It was mostly my fault. On the plus side I didn’t have to go through American family court.

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Katherine Dee's avatar

Hope you’re well

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Jonathan Herz's avatar

Thank you. Well, I can’t help but thinking the fundamentalist Mormons are right, that a man must marry three wives to attain the highest degree of glory and become a god.

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Rufio's avatar

Favorites 🥹

6, 18, 29, 30, 31, 36, 47 😭, 51 😭, 53, 57, 58, 68, 69, 70, 71

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