False Pretenses and Dating*

So i was talking to this girl the other day about approaches to dating. Not sure if i'd like to call it the limits of the English language and how loaded* words can get, but i basically gave her my approach.

When i meet/date* (another loaded word) people, i want to get to know them. For me it starts out as friends and as i get to know them better, it could gradually become something romantic (if the spark is there). I just stay true to myself and see if any feelings come out of the interactions. If not, then in the end at least i have made a friend.

Her response is that she has a different approach to someone she is dating, rather than one she is just friends with. She said, in her words "i'm a different person when i date". Of course you can imagine the type of reaction i got when i said i just wanted to be friends* first (again..loaded language). Now while i can understand her approach, i just don't necessarily agree with it.

I AM a romantic guy. I like to go all out with candle light and fancy dinners, flowers, candy, etc....all seems pretty cliche actually when you write it down, but that is what she was looking for. I would love to spoil my partner with everything...but i would have to get there emotionally first. Its not something you can really achieve on the first meeting. Anything otherwise would be fake for me and unfortunately raise the girl's expectations. what happens after the honeymoon eh?

Anyways, what are we all here on this dating site for? Its safer than craigslist and a bit more focused than myspace/facebook. I'm sure we didn't expect ourselves to be looking for people in this manner, but the state of the world today with technology and reality TV, pretty much everyone is at home on their asses in front of some glowing screen. Plus..we're all a bit thrifty to shell out for the pay sites, or avoidant since it would be the final admission that we are stuck in a rut.

I don't message unless i'm interested. For me to get interested, there would have to be something about you. Typically it's in the eyes, a keen fashion sense, witty repertoire, sincere smile or just that certain something. After my attempt, i leave it to fate.

Probably gonna try a blind date site..where at least people just want to actively do something.