I guess I can't read very well because I did not take this discussion to mean it was all about sex with nothing else at stake. Clearly my reading and comprehension skills needs some work.
I think many of us have made it clear we aren't talking about a one night romp. And the problem then becomes some people can't just enjoy what it is and always want more even if the "what it is" *is* meaningful. So perhaps it is best to seek out partners that are 110% on the same page since "meaningful" has many definitions by circumstance alone. IMO that is like saying I would never sleep with anybody that had more than 2 partners. But what if the love of my life came along and he had FOUR partners in his past? Do I stick to my magic number or what?
I can think of three meaningful things that happened to me today but I bet if I posted them nobody would think they are *that* meaningful... everybody has different ideas of what or why is meaningful.
I believe it was NewMama who said she was dating for validation. People date to serve different purposes. To me that is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard but to her it wasn't. So as you said, it's all about personal preference. If I met a guy who told me he had dated for validation I would tell him to get lost. IMO that is needy and stupid. To somebody else it is what they need and may (or may not) have any bearing on one's future. So if you meet a woman who has slept around you can tell them to get lost because it is not your preference.
And I guess all the changing is subjective, no? If you (generally speaking) feel you are a better person then great. If I feel I am better person then great. The "greats" might be different for everybody but not any less meaningful.
I meet special people each day - it doesn't mean I would want to be in a R with them. So yes, I know I will always meet special people as most of us will since we are not recluses and most every person has some special quality. The 95 year old man down the street is very special but we won't be dating or sleeping together. Special doesn't always have to mean the same thing to each person.
Everybody can decide what is best for them. Period. And maybe 20 min. of sex is meaningful to somebody for their own personal reasons. It's not right for you, it doesn't make it wrong.
