Parker: The "Relationship Guy"

In a world of He's Just Not That Into You, increasing divorce rates, and unrealistically happy relationships on every television show, it's hard to imagine there would be a man who could actually live up to your high standards.

Let's face it, we go to Geneseo, where the male to female ratio is just as difficult to maneuver as the class registration process. It's hard out there for a single girl, especially when the first thing she says to herself when meeting a new guy is, "OK, so who out of my friends has he already hooked up with?"

After two-and-a-half years of college, I feel like I've learned one thing for sure: dating, as we once knew it, no longer exists. Most of the guys you meet are not interested in wining and dining you. You know it's sad when we actually start romanticizing the dating we did in high school. I miss the dinner and a movie, going to get coffee, parking by the lake, going to second base on my couch kind of dating. But I guess that's gone forever.

However, every now and then, you happen to meet what I like to refer to as "The Relationship Guy." I know what you're thinking - you thought he was just an urban dating legend. I mean, there was no way he could be real, right? A guy, in his twenties, who takes you on dates, calls you when he says he will, and actually refers to you as his girlfriend? It must be too good to be true.

The relationship guy is a rare breed of the male sex. They received their name from their most obvious distinctive characteristic: they love to be in a relationship. I have known these men to bounce from girlfriend to girlfriend, devoting themselves to each relationship no matter how short they last. It doesn't matter if they just got out of a long relationship or broke up with someone weeks after starting to date, they are never single.

A couple of months ago, Cosmo did a story about relationship guys. According to what I'm sure was tireless research, the article concluded that men like this are actually addicted to the feeling they get from being in a relationship. Don't get me wrong, I love "love." When you find someone who makes you excited and nervous and always leaves you wanting more, the only thing you want to do is be with that person. I think the relationship guy is wonderful...in the right context.

If you are dating the relationship guy who just got out of a serious relationship and immediately jumped into yours, beware. Trust the voice inside of your head: timing does matter. We're young - this is the time in our life when we're supposed to spend some time alone in order to learn about ourselves. The road to self discovery won't be long for a guy who hides in his relationships.

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