Spring Break
Breaking down, breaking up and how to do neither successfully
Hilary Davis
Issue date: 9/27/06 Section: Columns
Breaking down, breaking up and how to do neither successfully
In an age of Internet dating, speed dating, blind dates and phone dates, it's hard to find that spark, that rare connection between two people that could lead to something meaningful, something more.
So when the spark dies, the connection fades and "something more" has turned into "something awkward," who's responsible for tallying the final damage? It's easiest just to let things drift away.
In the age of high-speed connection, what about the human connection? These days, when everything breaks down, how does anybody actually break up?
They don't. Romance is dead, and so is the fine art of the face-to-face break-up. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but it's true. In this technological age, where everything happens immediately and then is immediately broadcast to everyone else via blogs, text messages and Facebook, there is no such thing as a private, intimate coffee date where two people lay it all out on the line.
Instead, it goes online, for the whole world to see. And who wants to experience that kind of pain? I've never done it, but I certainly wouldn't want to change my Facebook status and see that sad, broken heart next to my name for three days. Or have to write the blog entry in which I include every little detail about where it all went wrong.
So, CSU, instead of breaking up, which we all know isn't worth it anyway, for only $9.95 plus shipping and handling, I offer you a compelling alternative: The Phase Out (TPO). Easy, pain free and they'll hardly even know it's happening.
Step 1: Start slowly screening their phone calls. Not all the time, but every once in awhile. You can call them back later, but it's important to break them of the habit of calling you on the phone and actually thinking you'll answer. This might seem heartless, but it's crucial for later, so hold strong.
Step 2: Become very busy. Whether you're actually busy or not is a question of ethics you must contend with, but if you just happen to have a lot of meetings/group projects/Thursdays at Sullivan's, all of which you simply have to attend, who can blame you?
In an age of Internet dating, speed dating, blind dates and phone dates, it's hard to find that spark, that rare connection between two people that could lead to something meaningful, something more.
So when the spark dies, the connection fades and "something more" has turned into "something awkward," who's responsible for tallying the final damage? It's easiest just to let things drift away.
In the age of high-speed connection, what about the human connection? These days, when everything breaks down, how does anybody actually break up?
They don't. Romance is dead, and so is the fine art of the face-to-face break-up. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but it's true. In this technological age, where everything happens immediately and then is immediately broadcast to everyone else via blogs, text messages and Facebook, there is no such thing as a private, intimate coffee date where two people lay it all out on the line.
Instead, it goes online, for the whole world to see. And who wants to experience that kind of pain? I've never done it, but I certainly wouldn't want to change my Facebook status and see that sad, broken heart next to my name for three days. Or have to write the blog entry in which I include every little detail about where it all went wrong.
So, CSU, instead of breaking up, which we all know isn't worth it anyway, for only $9.95 plus shipping and handling, I offer you a compelling alternative: The Phase Out (TPO). Easy, pain free and they'll hardly even know it's happening.
Step 1: Start slowly screening their phone calls. Not all the time, but every once in awhile. You can call them back later, but it's important to break them of the habit of calling you on the phone and actually thinking you'll answer. This might seem heartless, but it's crucial for later, so hold strong.
Step 2: Become very busy. Whether you're actually busy or not is a question of ethics you must contend with, but if you just happen to have a lot of meetings/group projects/Thursdays at Sullivan's, all of which you simply have to attend, who can blame you?
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Katy
posted 2/04/08 @ 10:30 AM MST
I just found this and it is AWESOME!!!
Hilary is HILARious :)
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