Introducing Softball Theory
It appears that I actually know people who do not know about the baseball metaphor as it applies to dating and relationships. If you are not familiar with the terminology, the appropriate Wikipedia entry should enlighten you.
So why do I want to talk about baseball?
Relationship development happens on more than just the physical track: the couple are also connecting on a mental, emotional level. If I am to propose a similar metaphor to describe this aspect of the relationship, I would suggest this:
- 1st base – Talking about family and childhood life.
- 2nd base – Talking about money, sex, religion, politics and other normally taboo topics.
- 3rd base – Talking about past relationships.
- Home – Talking freely about the relationship itself and what it will lead to in the future. Ask her to be your girlfriend at this point.
Like the real game, you can be out at any point for any reason. Also like the real game, if you can’t get onto the next base when you need to, you’re also out.
For future reference and discussion, let’s call this version “softball”, to distinguish it from the classical baseball metaphor. For each of bases, you are getting to know each other better and better. When you are “connecting so well” with somebody, this is essentially exactly what is happening.
A disclaimer at this point is probably advisable: this theory is my opinion of how things work. If you happen to be a Mercedes rolling, six-figure-earning supermodel, things probably work differently for you. If you are the said supermodel, you are probably beating potential suitors off with a pointy stick and you’re reading this blog for kicks.
For the next several posts, I will get more into softball theory and how this translates into your interaction with your potential mate.
Image used under the Creative Commons license from:
http://flickr.com/photos/jblndl/22597747/
