[Muncle]

Boy, all of a sudden we've gotten serious. I can do that, too.

Yes, it is a couples world. From the days of job hunting to retirement, the business world leans to married people. And as a lifelong single, I can say that this is a logical policy in most cases. Obviously there are exceptions, but for the most part, the married person is more stable and reliable than the single and from the employers' view, a much safer employee. A single person is far more apt to leave a position they dislike without a safety net. I know that throughout my career, I always felt that not having anyone dependent upon my earnings gave me a freedom my coworkers didn't have. And to be honest, I took less BS from bosses. Yes, there are exceptions!!

Re the work hassles of the single, this is an employer shortcoming. In a day to day workplace, the single is expected to do things because they don't have a family at home. Work late. Take that last minute trip to Detroit in January. Maybe move to the new office on the other side of town or even out of the area. In all these things, it's assumed that it is easier for the single to be inconvenienced. And when that promotion comes down to you and another, well, Jim has a wife and 6 kids. He needs the money more than you do. Yes, there are exceptions!!

And the social world is not different -- well, it is different in that there are two separate social worlds. The married's social life revolves around the family, be it the neighborhood, the school and church programs, or the club. Once you limit the situation to adults, it's no better. Dinners, parties, everything is done in twos. Initially the single is invited, hoping they will bring a "significant other." If those "others" start changing too often, the invites begin to wane. Understandable, in that you have a new person who has to break in each time, but an unfortunate situation. Yes, there are exceptions!!

But just because it is a couples world doesn't mean that's a bad thing. Like so many others, I've chosen to be single. One of the main reasons is that I really enjoy my life. If I'd had a family, I wouldn't have done near the things I've done over the last 30+ years. Hopefully, I'd have not wanted to. My lack of responsibility for others has allowed me to move when and where I wanted. I was able to take advantage of opportunities I might not have under different circumstances. Often over the years, married coworkers would comment about my lifestyle, sometimes hinting or even stating that they'd love to trade places. I always felt that somewhat absurd. When I was hanging around the clubs in KC, St. Louis, DC, or Germany and a married guy would join the group, you were pretty sure that in a short time, he'd be gone or single. Same with the women.

For so many in TV, they are or will be entering a strange new world. As I've said (and said), I've been single forever and am happy with my life. However, a lot of Villagers and wannabes will be single for the first time in their adult lives. Women seem to adapt to this situation much better than men, but it's tough for both. In my opinion, TV is probably one of the easiest places around to be single. Yeah, I commented a bit about some pricing situations --- hey, most of it was a joke :joke: --- but most stuff here is pretty fair. And there are a plethora of opportunities for the single person, whether it be an unmarried or a member of a couple who chooses to do something without their spouse. Sometimes it's difficult for a single person to break the ice in a new group, sometimes you want to hide at a table in the corner behind a post, but in TV there always seems to be someone who's been there, who'll lead you into the group. Yes, there are exceptions!!

Can I go back to being a smart-ass sarcastic :edit: now?