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Are you better off single?
By Margot Carmichael Lester
After a string of horrible dates or a particularly bad breakup, it’s easy to think dating is for the birds. So, are you better off single? Take this quiz to find out!
1. Your last serious relationship was:
Excruciating. I couldn’t wait for it to end. (Score = -1)
Smothering. My partner cared much more than I did. (Score = 1)
Frustrating. I cared much more than my partner did. (Score = 2)
Decent. It was nice while it lasted, but I wasn’t devastated by the breakup.
(Score = 3)
Fulfilling. I like being a couple.
(Score = 4)
2. How would you describe your last three dates?
Bad. Why are losers so attracted to me? (Score = -1)
Boring. I’d rather stay home and watch Lost. (Score = 1)
One-sided. I liked them, they didn’t like me. (Score = 2)
Not bad... but not good either. (Score = 3)
Great. I had fun, even though no sparks flew. (Score = 4)
3. Which movie best describes your experience with love:
Singles. I can’t seem to find love at all. (Score = -1)
Fatal Attraction. I can be a freak magnet. (Score = 1)
The (Fru)st(r)ation Agent. I feel like a misfit of love. (Score = 2)
The Kids are Alright. I’ve been in relationships with a lot of nice people.
(Score = 3)
High Fidelity. I keep learning from my previous relationship mistakes, and I know there’s someone out there for me. (Score = 4)
4. Your soul mate:
May not exist. (Score = -1)
Wouldn’t need a straightjacket. (Score = 1)
Is dating your best friend. (Score = 2)
Will take some work to find—but is out there. (Score = 3)
Hey, there may be more than one—and you can’t wait to meet ’em! (Score = 4)
5. You think of true love as:
Something invented by Hollywood. (Score = -1)
A bed of nails. Maybe Nazareth was right when they sang, “Love hurts.” (Score = 1)
Very hard to find. (Score = 2)
Possible, but I’m not sure how to get it. (Score = 3)
Totally worth working for. (Score = 4)
SCORING
Less than 0: Ouch. You’ve been out of the love light for a long time and have a pessimistic view of the whole idea, so you need to do something to shake off the dust. Sign up for a class, a book group, or some other activity you enjoy. By getting out and living your life, you increase your chances of finding someone who’d like to live it with you!
0-5: You’ve had some bad experiences with love, but blaming your dates isn’t going to change anything. Dating is a two-way street. Yes, oddballs might be attracted to you, but you’re choosing them, too. Take responsibility and look at why you’re choosing to date these people. Then take some steps to change the patterns you’re perpetuating.
6-10: You’re unsure of your prospects. Start thinking positively—and take some concrete action to improve your chances. Ask friends to set you up. Post or update your online dating profile and start looking for love in all the right places.
11-15: You’re keeping hope alive, and that’s very attractive. But you could do a little more to attract a mate. Ask friends to help you identify your strong points—and your weak ones. Then emphasize the positive and improve the negative.
16-20: You’re a believer, baby! It’s only a matter of time till Cupid works his magic on you!
Margot Carmichael Lester is a North Carolina-based writer and author of The Real Life Guide to Life After College.
By Margot Carmichael Lester
After a string of horrible dates or a particularly bad breakup, it’s easy to think dating is for the birds. So, are you better off single? Take this quiz to find out!
1. Your last serious relationship was:
Excruciating. I couldn’t wait for it to end. (Score = -1)
Smothering. My partner cared much more than I did. (Score = 1)
Frustrating. I cared much more than my partner did. (Score = 2)
Decent. It was nice while it lasted, but I wasn’t devastated by the breakup.
(Score = 3)
Fulfilling. I like being a couple.
(Score = 4)
2. How would you describe your last three dates?
Bad. Why are losers so attracted to me? (Score = -1)
Boring. I’d rather stay home and watch Lost. (Score = 1)
One-sided. I liked them, they didn’t like me. (Score = 2)
Not bad... but not good either. (Score = 3)
Great. I had fun, even though no sparks flew. (Score = 4)
3. Which movie best describes your experience with love:
Singles. I can’t seem to find love at all. (Score = -1)
Fatal Attraction. I can be a freak magnet. (Score = 1)
The (Fru)st(r)ation Agent. I feel like a misfit of love. (Score = 2)
The Kids are Alright. I’ve been in relationships with a lot of nice people.
(Score = 3)
High Fidelity. I keep learning from my previous relationship mistakes, and I know there’s someone out there for me. (Score = 4)
4. Your soul mate:
May not exist. (Score = -1)
Wouldn’t need a straightjacket. (Score = 1)
Is dating your best friend. (Score = 2)
Will take some work to find—but is out there. (Score = 3)
Hey, there may be more than one—and you can’t wait to meet ’em! (Score = 4)
5. You think of true love as:
Something invented by Hollywood. (Score = -1)
A bed of nails. Maybe Nazareth was right when they sang, “Love hurts.” (Score = 1)
Very hard to find. (Score = 2)
Possible, but I’m not sure how to get it. (Score = 3)
Totally worth working for. (Score = 4)
SCORING
Less than 0: Ouch. You’ve been out of the love light for a long time and have a pessimistic view of the whole idea, so you need to do something to shake off the dust. Sign up for a class, a book group, or some other activity you enjoy. By getting out and living your life, you increase your chances of finding someone who’d like to live it with you!
0-5: You’ve had some bad experiences with love, but blaming your dates isn’t going to change anything. Dating is a two-way street. Yes, oddballs might be attracted to you, but you’re choosing them, too. Take responsibility and look at why you’re choosing to date these people. Then take some steps to change the patterns you’re perpetuating.
6-10: You’re unsure of your prospects. Start thinking positively—and take some concrete action to improve your chances. Ask friends to set you up. Post or update your online dating profile and start looking for love in all the right places.
11-15: You’re keeping hope alive, and that’s very attractive. But you could do a little more to attract a mate. Ask friends to help you identify your strong points—and your weak ones. Then emphasize the positive and improve the negative.
16-20: You’re a believer, baby! It’s only a matter of time till Cupid works his magic on you!
Margot Carmichael Lester is a North Carolina-based writer and author of The Real Life Guide to Life After College.
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