Saturday, December 16, 2006

Only simchas, no random play

Who are "singles"? NYU is hosting an event for Jewish "singles," complete with speed-dating, and facebook suggests that the singles in question are college students. Not that college students are generally married or anything, and not that I have anything against the event itself, but I wouldn't say undergrads could possibly count as "singles." To be a single, you have to be old enough that it's not creepy for you to date a grown-up, say, a doctor, lawyer, or accountant. To be a "single," you have to be not just unmarried but anxious to change the situation. You have to earn enough to participate in singles-oriented activities. College, at least at places other than the one I have experience with, is supposed to be about random and regrettable experiences. Which leaves what, exactly? Perhaps a segment of the NYU undergrad population is looking to settle down, mirroring the 30-to-50 set a few miles uptown. Perhaps, relatively speaking, the University of Chicago is debauched.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Singles in this instance just means not in a relationship. It's more formality and less booze than the bar/party hookup scene, but with the same not obviously permanent goal.

Anonymous said...

To be a single, you have to be old enough that it's not creepy for you to date a grown-up, say, a doctor, lawyer, or accountant.

Or be old enough that it's not disturbing that you are a grown-up, say, a doctor, lawyer or accountant.

;)

Anonymous said...

Fashion, France, and Jews

http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/25643/index.html

Take it away Phoebe!