Why are people so mean to single people?

[notageek]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20219349

[BoneKracker]

Didn't read the article, but I have my own thoughts on this.

If you're single after 30 or so, people who are married like to think there's something wrong with you: they assume that members of the opposite sex who got to know you well have all rejected you as somehow defective, that you're a homosexual, that you're so engrossed in your work as to be uninteresting and probably "eccentric", or that you're some kind a lecherous hedonistic profligate who refuses to have normal, healthy relationships.

Some of this is reasonable speculation (these are, after all, reasons why some people are single). However, a lot of this is rationalization of regret about the consequences of marriage in their own lives, particularly once children are born. For example, while there is some middle ground in the late 20s and early 30s while most couples still have lots of single friends, eventually single people don't get invited to couples' parties. Parties used to be about having fun and hooking up; but that's the last thing a bunch of out-of-shape married people want to see: a bunch of other people who still give a shit how they look having fun they can't, and possibly attracting their spouses.

The activities of couples become increasingly family oriented. Even when the activity is driven by the children (like school-related stuff, sporting events, lessons, etc.), parents talk about nothing but their children. This is because raising children has taken over their lives. People without children cannot empathize and aren't going to sit there and pretend to be impressed by little Jacob's accomplishments just so you will return the favor, because you can't. You might find common ground on work-related stuff, but talking about work is likely to frowned upon by any non-working spouses who are present, as being rude and un-parent-like. Maybe you can get away with talking about home remodeling, which is a sufficiently nest-building behavior.

Then, usually in their 40s, most men have had enough of this shit, and you see couples' activities form divided groups of men and women. This sounds sexist, but these roles are still common. The women talk about raising their children, and the men busy themselves with some excuse not to be around them, such as grilling the meat. There they drink more than their wives would permit, and they talk about the good old days when they used to get laid and could do what they wanted, or they brag about their sons (vicariously enjoying his ability to get laid and do what he wants), or if the women are within earshot, they talk about remodeling. They don't have to bother excluding single people, because nobody in their right mind would voluntarily subject themselves to such a scenario, except perhaps at family gatherings.
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Oldthinkers unbellyfeel INGSOC.
-- Headline of a document on Winston Smith's terminal in his cubicle at the Ministry of Truth, seen briefly in the background in one scene of the movie rendition of Nineteen Eighty-Four.

[notageek]

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What looks like a cat, flies like a bat, brays like a donkey, and plays like a monkey?

[John-Boy]

Tell you what does my head in (being single) - 'single room supplement', wouldn't mind
if I was taking up a double, but most of the time you pay extra for a broom cupboard.

Also office christmas parties, everybody arrives in pairs - then again I am a deranged loner
- and normally manage to find an excuse to get away or not turn up.

Degue fever last year, I'll have to be a bit more creative this time around.
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When you break rules, break 'em good and hard

[wah_wah_69]

The worst part is when friends/relatives try to hook you up with somebody.
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Be good and if you can't be good, be careful.

[nomilieu]

[BoneKracker]

[John-Boy]

[notageek]

I don't try to be creative at-all, in these "team building sessions."

My standard reply would always be "I couldn't reach in time because I overslept. I was busy the night before." And I don't pick-up my phone, when someone tries to call. Sort of "fuck you" to everyone.
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What looks like a cat, flies like a bat, brays like a donkey, and plays like a monkey?

[dmitchell]

People are mean to single people? I did not know that.
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Your argument is invalid.

[John-Boy]

[juniper]

[John-Boy]

[nomilieu]

While the freedom to do whatever is nice, being single does tend to suck in that there's no telling when, where, or with whom your next (unmasturbatory) lay will be.

*edit* Spelling of probably made-up word.

[John-Boy]

[BoneKracker]

[tylerwylie]

[energyman76b]

[BoneKracker]

[juniper]

[dmitchell]

[notageek]

/facepalm
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What looks like a cat, flies like a bat, brays like a donkey, and plays like a monkey?

[BoneKracker]

Not facepalm. His son is going to be The One, who will lead the Libertarian Revolution against SkyBorgHopeHiveMindTwitBook.gov.
_________________
Oldthinkers unbellyfeel INGSOC.
-- Headline of a document on Winston Smith's terminal in his cubicle at the Ministry of Truth, seen briefly in the background in one scene of the movie rendition of Nineteen Eighty-Four.

[notageek]

Of-course.
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What looks like a cat, flies like a bat, brays like a donkey, and plays like a monkey?

[juniper]