Modern Romance

I enjoyed the show Parks and Rec, which served as my introduction to Aziz Ansari. Unfortunately it wasn't the best scenario, since his character on the show - Tom Haverford - was so frickin' annoying. I wanted to punch him in the face all...the...time. I'm not sure why I decided to watch some of Aziz's standup (given my "want to punch Tom Haverford" feelings), but I found I enjoyed that much more than his character portrayal of Tom. 

My favorite sketch is still "50 Cent Grapefruit Story." :)

Cracks me up ever time. 

Last year I started seeing advertisements for a book he was writing called "Modern Romance" and added it to my Amazon wishlist. A few weeks ago I noticed that the price finally dropped, so I bought myself a copy. It was...interesting. Also funny, entertaining, inappropriate, crude and dumb. The best part was being able to "hear" Aziz Ansari's voice as I was reading it. Something to take into consideration - given the secular nature of the book, hookups and one night stands are considered ordinary/normal and are treated as such when discussing romance and relationships. That should come as no surprise, but I figured it was worth a "disclaimer."

A few interesting, spoiler-free take-aways from Modern Romance:

- Online dating sites/apps should be considered "online introductory services," as opposed to "online dating services."
- Quality over quantity (duh)
- Don't exchange too many messages before deciding to meet up. 
- Do something interesting on a first date, not just drinks or dinner. 
- Don't expect "perfection," otherwise you will be constantly seeking something better.
- Give people a chance. They're probably better than you think.*  

The romantic/dating landscape can be a bit overwhelming. Digital advances in the last 10-15 years, from texting to online dating/dating apps, seem to have made things even more complicated (just what we needed!). There are no simple answers, short of returning to an arranged marriage culture...and while I love my parents and mostly trust their judgement, no thank you. :) 

If you're looking for an entertaining read and interesting perspective, I'd recommend giving Modern Romance a shot. There are no startling revelations or universal answers contained within, but it might keep you from losing out on a date because you said "texty" or "hoo" instead of who. :)


~ Katie

*There are always exceptions, such as someone who texts "wassup." They are probably awful, so don't bother wasting your time. :)