Collegiate Times

He said:

How many times have you been in love? Personally, I?m not sure. I mean ? I?ve probably found myself infatuated with someone more than I?ve actually been gunned down by that gangster Cupid. And, there?s definitely a difference.

You see, when a guy merely ?wants? a girl, things go much more smoothly between the two but, usually, for a shorter period of time than a serious relationship. Now, this is not to say that strictly physical attractions can?t last over an extended period of time. Friends-with-benefits movie nights have gone down since the dawn of mankind. It?s just that there?s less invested.

Without any feeling of commitment, so many weighty pretences fly out the window. Most noticeably, there are fewer unnecessary phone calls. Subsequently, it?s that much easier to end this particular kind of relationship.

Since you spend less time talking, exploit the situation. Savvy gentlemen will recognize the importance of not picking up the phone. Statistically, she?s not very likely to swing by your place. And, you could always spend more hours in the library just in case.

Callous? Well, there are plenty of worse ways to break up with someone, e.g. doing it publicly or by cheating on them or by cheating on them in a public place. However, and perceptive girls may have already picked up on this, guys don?t like ending things ostentatiously. Thus, any option enveloped in the least amount of drama is preferable.

Considering this, let?s shift our focus towards long-term relationships. In these cases, it?s, more often than not, girls who play the executioner. If a guy actually decides he wants to be serious, he?s going to ride out most storms. I know very few guys who have explicitly ?dumped? a girl, which grapples with utilitarian principles. Again, we like the least drama possible.

However, in a strategy often referenced as the polar opposite of discreetness, you ladies seem to get off on the showiest pulling of the trigger possible. (I?m pretty sure my ex started an ?I Hate Emerson Club,? whose charter members never actually met me before signing their names). And, after you do, it?s like we were never in love in the first place. What?s up with that eclipse?

For my own part, I?ve never straightforwardly ended a long-term relationship. Well, once, but it was only for like three days before we got back together again; so I?m going to use a mulligan. I couldn?t handle her tears, and it made me feel horrible. So, I gave it another chance.

From what I can tell, when it comes to the serious side of love interests, guys are almost always willing to keep taking those chances. Girls, on the other hand, seem to become more and more insecure, which is confusing.

Listen, we have been breaking each others? hearts forever. Regardless of the severance package, I say always give someone another chance. In an interview the other day, Vanilla Ice told me that, ?When you catch a wave, you have to ride it all the way to the shore. Maybe it?s not the smoothest ride, but, at least, you?re trying.?

So, prior to ending anything, take a sober look at the ocean around you before hoping on another wave, and never wear a lifejacket.

She said:

It ranges from emotional turmoil and devastation to happiness and freedom. Breaking up with a significant other has to be one of the most tumultuous tasks a person can endure. Convincing yourself you?re doing the right thing is merely half the battle.

Breaking up has deemed itself an art form. It requires work, skill and strong will. These art forms, while not uncommon, can be performed in a variety of outlets.