<h4>Having High Standards</h4>

What's the worst thing you can say to a single girl?

• There are a lot of fish in the sea!
• You don't really want a boyfriend anyway!
• Be more proactive!
• You need to get out there and get back in the game!

How about...

• Your standards are too high.

Ah, the most heartless of "I know better than you" advice. Gag me with a fork. This statement implies that I will never get the man I think I deserve; that no matter how long I wait, my chances of finding someone who meets my criteria aren't getting any better.

What are my criteria? What do I look for in a guy? What's my type? It's simple. I want someone I can be happy with. I want someone I am myself around, someone I can trust. I want someone who gets me.

The three things I need:

1. He's into me.
2. I'm into him.
3. He's ready for a relationship and willing to commit.

Now maybe these requisites are vague or obvious or fanciful. I've had options: a man looking for love, not me;  a man who gives me compliments, not butterflies; a man who wants right now, not later. They never satisfy my needs.

My mom's advice on the matter, "Allison, don't be so serious about it all. Just have fun! See what happens!" I don't like this advice. I'm an educated consumer. I research my options before I make my decision. Every day of online dating, every day of growing older, every day of figuring myself out; I've gotten closer to knowing what is is that I want. That's something to be proud of. I'll find someone who fits eventually, it's all statistics.

When they ask if I had high standards, maybe I should say yes. I suppose I do. I certainly don't want to have low standards.