Does cupid ever strike in a hookup situation? It's as rare as a blue moon, and here's why.
When you're set up by a friend or stumble upon an attractive profile on a dating site, what you see is a polished representation—engaging, impressive, and tantalizing. And you know what we call it? The Hookup Dilemma.
Let me give you a sneak peek into my playboy past, not to brag, but to make a point. There was this lady I knew—let's call her Miss X. No romantic emotions between us, but I had a buddy who loved to mingle just like me. One day, playing the ultimate wingman, I introduced the idea of him to her, painting a picture of a man with quirks and qualities I knew would fascinate her.
Buckle up, because this is where we dive deep into the heart of the Hookup Dilemma.
When I introduced my friend to Miss X, I did it with a tantalizing twist—I painted his flaws as virtues. Yes, he was an ass, but according to my narrative, that was just a façade hiding his sensitive side.
Miss X fell head over heels for this image of him, feeding off the potential she thought she saw. She forgave his arrogance, reasoning that it was just a defense mechanism guarding his feelings. She treated him like a long-term partner, pampering him with gifts and acts of service.
The real culprit behind the Hookup Dilemma is the breaking of the Bar of Equality. In our story, I unknowingly distorted this balance. By presenting an inflated image of my friend, I artificially raised the expectations, paving the way for her to fall in love with a potential that was far from reality.
The truth, but twisted in a deceptive frame—that's what I call "true lies". In the illusion of knowing him better, she was robbed of the chance to make an informed decision about his real personality.
This isn't just about one anecdote from my past. The same pattern is echoed in online dating sites and friends' hookups everywhere.