Iceberg Effect - Part 2

‘I guess I just swipe, and then it just tells me who I match with?’ Clarissa thought as she toyed with her phone. Clarissa hadn’t really been in the dating game for a while, peculiar for someone in their 20’s. She had seen some guys when she was in college, but since graduation she had been more focused on her career and social life. She had gotten many offers from sutors over the years, but had always turned them down. Clarissa wanted to get back in the game now, but it seemed everyone was meeting people online these days, which made sense considering the condition of some of the guys in bars who had been trying to pick her up recently.

Clarissa fiddled with the dating app she had installed, and found a handsome guy she connected with and started chatting him up. He asked her out to dinner and she accepted, what did she have to lose?

Clarissa got all dressed up and met her date, Rico, at a nice steakhouse in their town. Clarissa was feeling a little nervous, but things started off well as the two of them were seated and started to talk. Conversation flowed naturally, Clarissa was very personable and could talk to just about anyone. Rico was charming, and very engaged in their conversation as well, and Clarissa could feel herself having a good time.

It came time to order, and Clarissa scanned over the menu. She didn’t dine out all that much, normally a night out was more about the drinks with her friends than the food. As she weighed her options, thinking about just settling for a salad, Rico made sure to mention that she should get whatever she wanted, he was paying the bill.

That was very generous of her date, and Clarissa started to look at her menu in a whole new light. Not that money was a problem, it’s just Clarissa tried to keep things conservative when she was out and not over do it. But she didn’t want to come off like a spoilsport, and that ribeye steak was looking good, so she ordered it, and picked two sides to go with it.

Clarissa and Rico were both happy when their meals came, and continued their conversation as their plates slowly emptied. Clarissa shared a story about the amazing trip she took with Habitat for Humanity down to South America to help build homes one summer. Rico discussed his love for guitar, and how he played gigs on the weekends. All in all they enjoyed each other's company and had a great meal.

When things were done they went their separate ways, leaving things open for a second date. Clarissa drove home, reflecting on her first date in years. Rico was really nice, and she always loved a man who could play an instrument. They also got along pretty good too. She thought maybe she’d give it a couple days and then see if he wanted to go out again. But the closer she got to home she started to think more. Playing guitar in small gigs on the weekends wasn’t much of a way to make a living. Rico was nice, but anyone can seem nice on a first date, right? It’s not like they are going to admit to being a serial killer or anything.

That was when Clarissa got home and opened her dating app again. She saw all the other guys she had matched with, and thought maybe one of them was better suited for her. She left her conversation with Rico and started swiping left and right to see who else she matched with.