Opinion

In my day, we called it bad behavior. In fact, I still call it bad behavior. I don’t know what it is with the younger generations. Are you just used to getting what you want without working too hard for it? Is it because you’re so used to swiping left or right when something bores you that you’ve forgotten how to act when you have to sit through something you don’t find entertaining? I don’t know what it is. But I have heard from a few people who have gone out on dates with people who were not on their best behavior. They let their anger, frustration, boredom…show. Instead of putting their best foot forward on a first date, they act however they feel like acting. If they had a bad day, they don’t hide it, put a smile on their face, and move forward. They complain about their day and even take it out on their date. By that, I mean they act rudely.

How many times do I have to say, “If you’re old enough to date and marry, you should be the one handling your dating life”? Apparently, I haven’t said it enough times, because again I’m told that someone’s shadchan is “dealing with the boy’s mother.”

I thank Nachum Segal and the Nachum Segal Network for having me on the show last week and for interviewing me about my new book, Been There, Dated That (available on Amazon or on the Archway Publications website). Nachum Segal is a legend in the world of Jewish broadcasting. I remember listening to him on the radio while driving to work many years ago, when JM in the AM meant Jewish Music. But now his show is streaming, no longer on the radio, and JM means something other than music. Truth be told, when I was younger, I thought it was short for “Jammin’ in the AM.” I was right in my own way because I’d jam out to the music. Wow, I just dated myself.

Dear Goldy,

My son has been dating a young lady and has told me and my husband that if things continue to go well, he wants to ask her to marry him. What mother doesn’t want to hear that? I was thrilled! My son is almost 30 and very independent. He has always handled his dating life on his own. If a shadchan contacted me for him, I’d tell my son to call the shadchan back to see if he was interested in whatever young woman she would suggest to him.

There are times in life when you learn a “life lesson.” It may not be at a time when you’re expecting it, but always be ready. Life lessons may sneak up on you. Case in point: I was once speaking with someone who did not have my best interests at heart.

The title of the article is exactly what this article is about. I was shopping this week and heard a couple of things that made me look to the left and stare—as if a hidden camera were there and able to read my expression. And what would my expression have been? It would’ve been “seriously?” So, imagine the face you would make when you hear something that you can’t believe to be true because it’s crazy if it were true!