Mr. Blue and Dating a Slob

From the mind of comedian, author, columnist and Skokie neighbor

Debbie Sue Goodman

I hope everyone is having a wonderful end of the summer. I had a great time at my last couple of comedy shows in Chicago and Evanston. Many readers have asked questions about, how to search for the right man or woman. I find that if you’re engaging in activities you enjoy, sometimes you’ll find Mr. or Miss Right. Go dancing; bowling, golfing whatever you’re interests are and perhaps your soul mate will be there. If not, at least you’re doing an activity you enjoy. About 5 years ago, I had a date with a guy I met at the health club. I enjoy walking and working out everyday.

I found out you can meet someone single, in a fun way. I met a guy while walking the track at my health club. We made plans to meet for dinner at a restaurant in a shopping mall.
We met inside the restaurant. He wore a BLUE shirt, and BLUE jeans. We sat at a table, talked and waited for our food to arrive. He showed me his BLUE cell phone holder. He told me he bought a new condo. He put in BLUE carpeting. He painted his bedroom BLUE. He talked during dinner about his condo. He asked if I would join him while he went to a store in the mall that carried kitchen items. I went with him.

We entered the store and he yelled, “I see what I want!” I followed him. He pointed to BLUE silverware, BLUE plates, BLUE napkins and BLUE glasses. He bought everything!

While the salesgirl was putting it in the bag he asked, “Where would you like to go now?” I replied, “How about a BLUES bar?”

Dear Debbie Sue: "For the past 5 weeks I've been going out to dinner & social events with a man that keeps wearing the same dirty jeans, sloppy shirts and his car is a mess! He's in his late 50's. I'm a bit younger then him. I enjoy being with him, our conversations are great. But, I can't look at his clothes. He doesn't care how he dresses. Nothing matches. He doesn't always comb his hair. He picks his teeth when we eat out together and sometimes burps and is uncouth. But, yet for some reason, I still hang out with him! I've dated other guys that cared how they looked when they went out with me. They wore clean shirts & their car was clean. But yet with those guys, we didn't have much to say to each other. Don't know why I'm going out with this new guy, but he is kind and seems to care about me very much. He brings me candy & flowers. He's kind to his friends and family. I don't know what to do. Should I break up with him and find someone else that doesn't have these traits?"  
'Dating a slob.'

Dear Dating a slob: You mentioned that you enjoy his conversations and his kindness. You don't sound like you want to break up with him. But, on the other hand, you are upset about his hygiene, sloppy clothes & messy car. Perhaps you can give him a 'hint' and tell him you would like to see him in a 'new' shirt. Then, if he wears a nice clean shirt on your next date tell him you think he looks great. He'll enjoy the compliment. Then, give him another 'hint' and suggest that he use floss in the men's room instead of picking his teeth at the table. Ask him to say 'excuse me' if he burps in front of you. You can tell him you both can go to the car wash together because you like a guy with a clean car. I think with these subtle 'hints' your new guy will come around and he'll want to look good for you and make you happy. I would give this relationship a chance. Since it sounds like he cares for you a great deal.

Until next time.

'Keep Smiling!'

Debbie Sue  
www.stillsingle.org

Send comments & questions to debrasue-60076@msn.com.