Every day I anxiously wait for you to get to class. I can't wait for us to smile at each other and say good morning. Some days, when you arrive only seconds before the lecture begins, I'm incredibly impatient. Instead of reading the Daily Cal, I anticipate your footsteps from behind and listen for your voice. Today is one of your late days. But, I don't mind, because after a month of desperately desiring to ask you out, today I'm going to. Encourage me, because letting you know I like you seems as risky to me as skydiving into the sea.
I know that dating has changed dramatically in the past few years, and for many women, asking men out is not at all daring. But I was raised in a traditional European household where simply the thought of my asking you out spells naughty. Growing up, I learned that men call, ask and pay for the date. During my three years at Berkeley, I have learned otherwise. Many Berkeley women have brightened their social lives by taking the initiative with men. My girlfriends insist that it's essential for women to participate more in the dating process. "I can't sit around and wait anymore," my former roommate once blurted out. "Hard as it is, I have to ask guys out- if I want to date at all!"
Wonderful. More women are inviting men out, and men say they are delighted, often relieved, that dating no longer solely depends on their willingness and courage to take the first step. Then why am I digging my nails into my hand trying to muster up courage?
I keep telling myself to relax since dating is less stereotypical and more casual today. A college date means anything from studying together to sex. Most of my peers prefer casual dating anyway because it's cheaper and more comfortable. Students have fewer anxiety attacks when they ask somebody to play tennis than when they plan a formal dinner date. They enjoy last-minute "let's make dinner together" dates because they not only avoid hassling with attire and transportation but also don't have time to agonize.
Casual dating also encourages people to form healthy friendship prior to starting relationships. My roommate and her boyfriend were friends for four months before their chemistries clicked. They went to movies and meals and often got together with mutual friends. They alternated paying the dinner check. "He was like a girlfriend," my roommate once laughed-blushing. Men and women relax and get to know each other more easily through such friendships. Another friends of mine believes that casual dating is improving people's social lives. When she wants to let a guy know she is interested, she'll say, "Hey, let's go get a yogurt."
Who pays for it? My past dates have taught me some things. You don't know if I'll get the wrong idea if you treat me for dinner, and I don't know if I'll deny your pleasure or offend you by insisting on paying for myself. John whipped out his wallet on our first date before I could suggest we go Dutch. During our after-dinner stroll he told me he was interested in dating me on a steady basis. After I explained I was more interested in a friendship, he told me he would have understood has I paid for my dinner. "I've practically stopped treating women on dates," he said defensively. "It's safer and more comfortable when we each pay for ourselves." John has assumed that because I graciously accepted his treat, I was in love. He was mad at himself for treating me, and I regretted allowing him to.
Larry, on the other hand, blushed when I offered to pay for my meal on our first date. I unzipped my purse and flung out my wallet, and he looked at me as if I had addressed him in a foreign language. Hesitant, I asked politely, "How much do I owe you?" Larry muttered, "Uh, uh, you really don't owe me anything, but if you insist…"
Insist, I though, I only offered. To Larry, my gesture was a suggestion of rejection.
Men and women alike are confused
Sliding into his desk, he taps my shoulder and says, "Hi, Laura, what's up?"
"Good morning," I answer with nervous chills, "Hey, how would you like to have lunch after class on Friday?"
"You mean after the midterm?" he says encouragingly. "I'd love to go to lunch with you."
"We have a date," I smile.
相关单词：desperately
desperately解释：adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地
desperately例句：
He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。
相关单词：risky
risky解释：adj.有风险的，冒险的
risky例句：
It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。
相关单词：blurted
blurted解释：v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 )
blurted例句：
She blurted it out before I could stop her. 我还没来得及制止，她已脱口而出。
He blurted out the truth, that he committed the crime. 他不慎说出了真相，说是他犯了那个罪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
相关单词：inviting
inviting解释：adj.诱人的，引人注目的
inviting例句：
An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人，使人感到亲切温馨。
相关单词：solely
solely解释：adv.仅仅，唯一地
solely例句：
Success should not be measured solely by educational achievement.成功与否不应只用学业成绩来衡量。
The town depends almost solely on the tourist trade.这座城市几乎完全靠旅游业维持。
相关单词：muster
muster解释：v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册
muster例句：
Go and muster all the men you can find.去集合所有你能找到的人。
I had to muster my courage up to ask him that question.我必须鼓起勇气向他问那个问题。
相关单词：stereotypical
stereotypical解释：n.常规
stereotypical例句：
Personas should be typical and believable, but not stereotypical. 人物角色应该是典型和可信赖的，但不是一成不变的。 来自
Anything could be stereotypical, so I guess it could be criticism. 任何东西都可以变的老套，所以我猜那就是一种批评。 来自互联网
相关单词：attire
attire解释：v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装
attire例句：
He had no intention of changing his mode of attire.他无意改变着装方式。
Her attention was attracted by his peculiar attire.他那奇特的服装引起了她的注意。
相关单词：agonize
agonize解释：v.使受苦，使苦闷
agonize例句：
Why do you agonize yourself with the thought of your failure?你为何总是对于你的失败念念不忘而自我折磨呢？
There's no reason to agonize over telling people you're job hunting.没有理由为告诉他人你正在找工作而感到苦恼。
相关单词：mutual
mutual解释：adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的
mutual例句：
We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。
相关单词：rejection
rejection解释：n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃
rejection例句：
He decided not to approach her for fear of rejection.他因怕遭拒绝决定不再去找她。
The rejection plunged her into the dark depths of despair.遭到拒绝使她陷入了绝望的深渊。
