By Gina Angostura
Columnist

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I just had the most interesting conversation with a man I know about my attitude as presented in this space. And by interesting, I mean he was wrong. The conversation specifically addressed my attitude toward men. I don’t know, do you think men take this stuff personally? Or even seriously? Now, he’s not the first man to address this issue. When I started writing, I heard this: “Single Cynic? Oh, Gina, don’t you think that name will draw bad karma?” Yes, I hang around with too many metaphysical types. That was nothing compared to the man who said, “It’ll be a miracle if Gina ever gets a man – she goes into every new encounter with a lasso in her hand!”

I hardly think that I come across as a competitor in a Sadie Hawkins Day race. Although, if there were such a thing, I’d be taking steroids and stepping up my treadmill routine in preparation. (Men: That was a joke.) Any negative experiences I’ve had with men in my life have been balanced with the many wonderful members of the gender I’ve met through the years. Yes, they are all taken. Some of them are gay. (Don’t know if I’ll get away with that one.) The ones who are neither, I’m sifting through, slowly. Don’t worry, I’ll get to you soon.

Listen, I know single women are not the only ones who suffer in this coupled world. I got a nice letter from a man in Pembroke who told me his story in an attempt to prove his struggle was sadder than mine. I give him credit for trying. But no way does he have it worse than me. Does he have to buy frozen dinners-for-one? Perhaps, but does he have to make sure it’s low calorie and has extra calcium? Don’t think so. Does he have to spend money on manicures, hair dye, night cream and depilatories so he doesn’t look like a 70-year-old Romanian rutabaga vendor? Well, not if he’s a guy I’d be interested in. Does he have to pretend to know less about football than his date? I actually don’t do that. But that’s the kind of gender-separating nonsense some people think of as true. I write for those people.

Oh, of course I’m kidding. Loneliness crosses all borders. But so does wise guyishness. I hope that men don’t avoid me because of my warped sense of humor. I’m a nice girl, really, I swear. And I promise if we go out, you won’t become fodder for the next column. Unless you treat me badly. Or dump me. Or don’t ask me out on a second date. Or are a bad kisser. Or a NASCAR fan. (No letters from race fans, please. It’s just not my thing.) Or you don’t think my column is funny.

Men, write if you want. I am interested in your side of the story. But for now, gotta run. Lasso lesson in 15 minutes.

– After sharing her thoughts with readers every week, Gina Angostura would like to hear from you. E-mail questions to editor@yourneighborhoodnews.com, with Single Cynic in the subject line.