Asking for it on June 1, 1998…

Dear Breakup Girl,

Two questions.

1. During a discussion with one of my many platonic female friends, I mentioned that I’d seen a cute girl at the gym. Normally, when I see a woman that I want to meet, I strike up a conversation with her. As long as the lights are on, it doesn’ t matter to me whether or not she’s sweaty (within reason, of course). I guess what I’m saying is that I wouldn’t think twice about talking to a girl at the gym. My friend had said she wouldn’t date anyone she met at the gym; that she just goes there to work out and that’s it. What are your thoughts on this?

2. Whenever I read one of those “what do women look for in guys” type polls, “sense of humor” is almost always one of the top three qualities. Why, then, do so few women have a well-developed sense of humor? I’m sure they’re out there, but I’m not meeting them. Very few women can tell a good joke. And the ones that can are usually married. Why is that?

— Rocket from the Couch

Dear Rocket,

1. Hey, thanks for not minding if we’re sweaty. Anyway, yes, the gym is totally fair game. BUT. You do have to be extra-respectful of boundaries when approaching women there, because (a) uh, yeah, they go there to work out and don’t generally want to be interrupted/hit on, and (b) they might be lifting more than you.

2. Easy. You practically answered this one yourself. We look for “sense of humor” (also, “career,” “brain”) because we don’t have one. And those wacky joke-telling wives you know have been fortunate enough to marry into funny.

By the way, did you hear the one about the guy at the gym who got his ass kicked by Breakup Girl?

Love,
Breakup Girl