Session 5•
Why Don’t Men Approach Anymore?
I casually mentioned that men apparently don’t approach women anymore. Sofia asked why. I explained modern dating using airports, algorithms, and mild sarcasm.
INT. MATCHMAKING OFFICE – DAY
Late afternoon light fills the room. The GOLDEN FLAMINGO now appears to be wearing sunglasses.
I sit down, coffee in hand, looking unusually thoughtful.
ME
I realized something yesterday.
SOFIA C.
I’m listening.
ME
Apparently men don’t approach women anymore.
Sofia tilts her head slightly.
SOFIA C.
You say that like it’s breaking news.
ME
It kind of is. People talk about it like it’s a rare wildlife sighting.
“Oh look, a man approaching in public. Fascinating behavior. Possibly endangered.”
Sofia laughs despite trying not to.
SOFIA C.
So why don’t men approach anymore?
ME
Short answer?
Modern dating trained men like cautious airport security.
SOFIA C.
Explain that analogy.
ME
You approach the wrong person and suddenly alarms go off.
Not literally. But socially.
So men started doing risk calculations like they’re trading stocks.
Probability of interest. Risk of awkwardness. Market volatility.
The flamingo appears to be judging this analogy.
ME
Then dating apps arrived.
Dating apps convinced everyone approaching women in public is unnecessary.
Why risk rejection in a café when you can get rejected digitally from your couch?
SOFIA C.
Efficient rejection.
ME
Exactly.
Dating apps are like airport food.
SOFIA C.
You already used an airport analogy.
ME
Because it keeps working.
Everyone complains about airport food.
Everyone still eats it.
SOFIA C.
But you approach women.
ME
Because chemistry doesn’t live on servers.
You can’t swipe eye contact.
You can’t algorithm a smile.
Sofia watches me carefully now.
SOFIA C.
So what makes a man approach?
ME
Permission.
SOFIA C.
Permission?
ME
Eye contact. A smile. That tiny moment that says: “You’re not about to ruin my day.”
Sofia laughs.
ME
But the funny part is this.
Everyone complains men don’t approach anymore.
And when someone actually does it…
…suddenly it feels like a plot twist.
Sofia leans forward slightly.
SOFIA C.
You enjoy being the plot twist.
ME
Someone has to keep romance from becoming a software feature.
The flamingo’s sunglasses slowly slide down its beak.
END SESSION #5