Mumbai: The word dating means different things to different people. But courtship, where two people meet to see how compatible they are to each other to take their relationship to the next level, is probably the best explanation.
What has given a twist to the concept is the observation by a relationship expert from the US — where dating is a key factor to romantic relationships — that modern-day dating is tedious, unnatural and unnecessary.
Manhattan-based Susan Winter, who is in her 50s, dated 98 men in nine months as part of a social experiment, before coming up with such a theory. What happens during dates these days, according to her, is while men try to project a larger image of themselves by talking of their potential and achievements, women are expected to get ‘floored’.
Though the concept is relatively new to our country, it has become more or less the norm, at least in the big cities. When asked if modern-day dating has become too artificial with partners involved trying to project a fake image of themselves, musician and actor Luke Kenny says the priorities differ according to the age one is dating in.
“For example, in their teens, people may get flirtatious in relationships. But if one is dating at an age when he or she has to settle down, there may or may not be a little boasting. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be the man, who does it. The crucial question is whether the other person is okay with it,” he says.
Young TV actor Vatsal Sheth feels both men and women have evolved over a period of time when it comes to dating. “Nowadays, it is no longer the case that men should pay the bills when they are dating. When the partners become familiar with each other, I don’t think boasting will work,” he says.
Ask Bollywood actor Rakul how her ideal date should be and she says, “I just want the person I meet to be himself. I would like to know about him, but he should not be boastful. I can’t handle too much show. And I would never prepare for a date. Only if the person likes the casual me, will the relationship work,” she says.
However, model-turned-actor Avantika Mishra feels that boasting is not a big issue. “It’s just that there would be guys who like you, but whom you don’t reciprocate. When I get time to date, I would like to meet an achiever, who is intelligent and has great sense of humour. When the choice goes wrong, you just have to be smart to handle it,” she says.
