So long to fall dating
By Christopher DaCosta
Hump week is ending and for all those sassy but single Santa Clarans, so is any form of humping. I hereby predict that the beast that is "the dating scene" at Santa Clara will enter the final phases of extinction before the end of the quarter.
When was the last time you heard: "I went and got a coffee with a guy from lecture the other day" or "I totally got that chick's number?" Simple dating-related phrases are unheard of in the Santa Clara vernacular.
The breakdown seems to occur somewhere during this lovely quarter we like to call Fall. First, are the inception of "reputations." Yes, I'm talking about those who can't seem to control their quivering loins when intoxicated.
Not only do tales of sexual exploits spread like HPV, they spread the virus also. In addition, such notoriety only encourages more selectivity (in some cases) in future dating endeavors.
While I was away last weekend, celebrating an old flame's birthday, my friends informed me that I missed out on many a tale of passionate, beer-goggled, Ocktoberfest fraternizations. Another unfortunate by-product of Santa Clara culture is the growing apathy towards good old malt-n-burger dates and the growing dependency on good old drunken hookups.
Obviously a less sustainable option, drunken hookups result in an awkward tension that dictates which parties to make appearances at. Furthermore, once the goggles come off, it's all over.
Despite alcohol being a common denominator in most romantic or physical interactions between students, there are some relationships that have bloomed sans keg beer. People in such relationships usually find each other at the beginning of the school year and remain "taken" until things go sour or get difficult. Unfortunately, for the rest of us, theses are the most desirable and good-quality dating candidates.
The ensuing frustration (both sexual and non) caused by this issue rivals the never-ending cycle of midterms, group projects and drunken weekend flirtations. However, while the evolution of the dating scene predicts a sharp decline during the tail end of this quarter and next quarter, there will be a spike during spring quarter.
Instead of lamenting the severe lack of eligible bachelors and bachelorettes, help each other and indulge in setting your friends up on blind dates. And don't just abruptly wave your class-crush off to class -- walk them there instead.
*Contact Christopher DaCosta at cdacosta@scu.edu.