Dating in the Dark

My daughter, Sarah, and I have been watching Dating In the Dark for a few weeks. The show works like this; 3 men and 3 women meet and date in the dark. The audience is able, through a night vision camera – to watch the whole thing.

They begin with a group date and then progress through individual dates and getting-to-know-you clue-type “games.” For example they have a sketch artist draw the daters by verbal description (describing people they have not seen yet), or they see what their apartments look like when they are gone (Once a woman had ants. Oh, the horror. Sheesh. It was just ants), and last night they checked out the clothes that the daters had slept in. (A stained t-shirt?  He’s a single guy. They are not known for laundry skills. C’mon).

The daters do some sort of personality test, because at one point they find out whom they are most compatible with, but sometimes the numbers of the matches are so low that this part really does not say much. (A 63% match? That’s good?).

The couples go on a last dark date – they can make more than one choice here – and then they decide whom they want to see in the light. The light part is very, very awkward. The daters stand in the dark until first one, then the other is lit up. It’s got to feel so strange to stand there knowing that an unseen person is sizing you up. After that, they decide if they want to date further, away from the show. The daters have to wait on a balcony and their choice will either meet them there, or they will leave by the front door. The dater can actually see that person exciting the house, from the balcony. This part, I feel it’s brutal.

The point of the show is the question of how much do looks really matter?  Apparently, they matter a lot to most of the daters. You see the reactions – the lit person smiles, the dark person smiles in response, and then they go back to those waiting and say, “Well she didn’t blow me away,” or “Well he was cute, but I think he looks more like a friend or a brother.” 

The daters say this after “chemistry” has already been established. After they’ve found that conversation comes easily and they have much in common. After they’ve already been making out in the dark. Suddenly a guy turns into your “brother” because you can see his face?  (And what kind of relationship do you have with your brother?)

Here’s my opinion – these people want to be single. They are single because they have ridiculous expectations and inflated egos.  Looks fade. We all age and not a single one of these daters is a stunner to begin with.

What do you think the key to a good marriage is? Is it hotness?  I seriously doubt it. When dating, how about a compromise?  If a person’s looks don’t totally repulse you, then give it a try. Attraction does not come from looks alone.

Or stay single. It’s your choice.

Image credit: Sxc.hu