You know, it's not often that I agree with Don. I actually came on here to write something similar. Don has dug into it with points that I probably wouldn't be able to enunciate as well.

Now keep in mind that my dating experience is very limited and didn't end well at all. My own opinion is that I was too complacent and was willing to let a fairy-tale write itself. But I was expecting a fairy-tale which at my age is perhaps not the story-line that happens.

I do think that for many people, they have an expectation / belief that dating follows a "standard pattern" - first date hug, second date smooches, third date perhaps both hanky and panky. That may be true for some people, maybe more so for younger people - I don't know.

So - you dodged the smooch on date #2 and fled the scene. Post analysis reasons have been given.

As Don asks though - is this about him or you? I know that for me, especially in this past year that I've been alone, that I've given a lot of thought to how much I enjoy being single and not having someone under-foot. And also how much it would be nice to have someone around to share my life with. Stuck sitting on the fence.

Because I have nothing constructive to say smile - I'll tell a story.

Quite a few years ago my wife called me from the store she works in across the street to let me know that there was a kitten stuck on the fence behind the shop. I pointed out that gravity continued to work and that perhaps it could assist the kitten. She seemed sure that someone should check on it so I asked my early-teen daughter to go have a look.

A bit later my daughter was walking by and I asked how the kitten was. She said fine - it's in the porch. And suddenly was a new member of the family (he's still doing well - rather elderly now but happy).

Gravity doesn't always work the way it's expected to and getting off the fence can be a pretty scary step.

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PS - Don - don't get a swelled head laugh