Now that I've been here a year and a half, I think it's safe for me to talk about my adventures dating in the South.
I'll start off by saying my dating has been sporadic. I have traveled a lot for work and for fun and honestly for awhile wasn't in a place to commit myself to anyone in a serious way. I was briefly hung-up on a faraway situation, busy figuring myself out, and really haven't met a lot of men that I had interest in getting to know.
I did however do a brief stint on the dating apps and let me tell you, what a time to be alive folks. In the South, I swiped right maybe 1 out of 50 men. Here's the most common men I found in Dallas:
- The Uptown Frat Guy: This is the Dallas version of the Scottsdale thirty thousand dollar millionaire. He is 30. He makes 30 grand a year. Spends thousands at the bar. Still yells out frat chants and chugs Bud Light.
- Dedicated Conservative: Heavily supports 45. States "If you're a liberal snowflake and hate freedom, swipe left" on his profile 12 times. Profile pictures include at least four carrying different guns. Three of five outfits include American flag bandannas.
- Ranch Boy: All photos are of him and his hunting trophies. No profile description. Simply states "Ranch boy. True Texan." Likely has never left Texas unless it was to go to the Indian Casino one hour North in Oklahoma. Will be your huckleberry.
- Dallas D Bag: Isn't here to waste time. Brutally honest. Doesn't want to play your games. Photos are gym mirror selfies. Your filters are a deal breaker.
I know that you can basically drop these descriptions into 100 other cities in America, but I'm telling you, I did not have these issues in California. If I'm ranking dating in all the states I've lived, I'm formally committing to:
- Colorado
- California
- Arizona
- Texas
Done. No room for discussion. Scientifically accurate.
Back to Texas. I have been on a handful of dates in Dallas. I think I had one guy turn into a two date situation before I got bored and moved on.
Here's the thing. I'm a born and bred California girl. I'm socially pretty liberal. Fiscally, a bit conservative. I'm a feminist. I'm independent as all hell. I'm loud. Opinionated. Full transparency, I'm extra (DUH). One might call me the opposite of a Southern Belle.
So the men here, they probably don't like me either.
In fact the only man I was into as a potential long term suitor was - drum roll please - originally from California.
OK OK - stop hating on Texas already! We get it, you're not Southern! I have actually really enjoyed my time in Texas. I made friendships that will last me a lifetime. I created a profitable side hustle. I discovered this wildly confident adventurous side of myself I had never met before. I think I'm doing Dallas in the best way I can.
But as a West Coast babe, dating is simply done differently than I am used to. I thought it would be more Southern gentlemen and wealthy oil billionaires. Instead I found it a bit antiquated and immature. Perhaps I met the wrong men. I certainly didn't dedicate much time sourcing out the best fit. I also met plenty of men I really enjoyed being friends with. And partners of friends who are legitimately some of the best men I've ever met.
Back off me and my negativity about my Southern dating experience. I was half hearted in my attempt. I may have been carrying a misguided flame for a California man. Either way - it's my truth.
Well - it's my truth so far...