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Jump to full article: Exeter (NH) News-Letter, 2005-11-22
Author: Steve Penner
Intro: I stood before a suburban high school Health Education class. When I told the students that I ran a dating service, naturally there was some snickering throughout the room.
I asked the teens, "What do you think is the No. 1 characteristic that makes it difficult to find dates for single, adult men and women?"
Immediately hands shot up. The responses were fairly predictable. "Being unpopular," being fat," and "being a nerd." I shook my head, smiled, and told them the truth. "No, it is cigarette smoking." There were a few head nods, a few smiles, and lots of surprised expressions.
"And the most interesting thing," I added, "is how many students I saw smoking outside, as I walked from the parking lot in to the school."
The teens seemed to have difficulty processing my claim that a cigarette smoker was harder to match than someone who was fat or nerdy. After all, even with the mounting scientific evidence about the dangers of cigarette smoking, many adolescents still associate the habit with being "cool."
. . .--
Steve Penner was the owner of the Boston-based dating service LunchDates for nearly 23 years and interviewed and listened to feedback from thousands of single men and women from throughout New England. "The Truth About Dating" reflects insights and observations based upon his experience.
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