What was to be my most recent facebook photo

The Set Up

Think about the phrase "set up." Imagine James Bond or Jack Bauer saying "I've been set up." It typically implies negative connotations. It means something bad is bound to happen. And there is where I begin.

Recently, in a conversation about blind dates/set ups, I made it abundantly clear that I want no part of either... ever. You might ask me why and I'll give the easy answer, "because I can handle these things on my own," but there's more to it than that.

Have you ever had one of those days where you knew your breath was just attrocious and then somebody offers you gum... or a mint... or a toothbrush? You immediately assume it's because you have some rancid halitosis, but they insist its just a gesture of goodwill. Well, it's the same with set ups. If you're trying to set me up with somebody, it very well could be an act of kindness/thought... but if I'm lacking in that department, it's gonna feel very similar to the offering of gum.

Point number two: People think they know but they have no idea. It's like this. You like fruit, you love cake. Somebody gets you a fruitcake as a gift. You regift it or throw it out. Unfortunately you cannot do that with a 'set up' date. However, it would be pretty awesome... "Hey, yeah, I'm not really feeling this... between us. But, I have this friend you'd love..." Anyhow, when people try to set others up, they see them as one (possibly two) dimensional. Most of the times, a 'set up' date ends up being like a pair of socks for Christmas; Sure they're warm and cuddly, but there's no thought involved. No personality connection. And it always comes down to who the "setter upper" thinks you should be with, not what's good for you, or what kind of chemistry there would be (because there's simply no possible way for them to know that about you).

And you're practically forced to like them. I mean, what kind of friend are you if you don't immediately like somebody they thought you'd be good with. If you don't like them, it's like you're telling your 'setter upper' that they're an awful friend because they don't even know what you like. And, let's be honest. It's true. I mean, I can't allow myself to be set up by a friend simply because of the risk. If I don't like the person I'm set up with, then I just can't be friends with my setter upper any more.

Lastly, ask yourself why people set people up with other people... people (just threw that one in there for good measure). Most of the time its so they can say that they were the match-maker. And let's be honest, girls are the only ones who do that. If a guy tries to set you up with somebody it's because you asked them to... or his girlfriend did.

Anyways, I'll leave you with a question... Can I have some gum?