What a workshop on dating could look like

There are some people who claim that everything can be taught. Others believe that this not to be true, because a lot of learning is a consequence of our experiences in life and our own personalities. All those who know me well would easily guess that I belong in the first category: I am a firm believer that if you put your mind to it, you can learn (almost) anything out of a book, from internet research, videos, at a workshop or just by thinking about things long enough.

So, for example, when my eldest brother was being ridiculed for his attempt to improve his swimming technique out of a book, I was quick to stand to his defense. Why not? And when I suddenly became single 5 years ago, after being in a relationship for all my young adult life, it  quickly hit me that a) I knew nothing about dating and b) I wanted to learn what it was all about, even if it meant devouring dating books as the “learning nerd” that I am.

So where to start? With the knowledge that I collected and the conviction that everything can be learned, I could organise a workshop on dating. I would probably be better off at doing it in the States though where people believe in the concept and practise it almost to boredom. I know that their idea of dating has a lot of critics here in Europe. To us the US dating style seems artificial, fake, interested and too-business like. But, since there seems to be no clear EU alternative (except going to a bar each weekend and hoping for the best) I would first convince the workshop attendees that dating is a perfectly normal way to find love and there is nothing to be ashamed of. And what would I tell them next? The workshop would probably be structured along these lines:

Intro: Why Dating is cool and fun (and let no-one tell you otherwise)
First chapter: Where to find potential dates and how to recognise that someone might be interested
Second: Why you shouldn’t stop dating as soon as you think you found “the one”
Third: Some ideas on where to go and what to do on dates (so that you don’t end up being broke…and bored)
Fourth: Dating etiquette (or how to politely stop dating someone without being too mean)
Fifth: Dealing with nerves, doubts and rejections
Sixth: How to communicate who you really are and what you really want in life
Seventh: Crossing the (thin) line that separates a date and a relationship
Eight: Relaxing, having fun and letting go

So there it is! A perfect course on dating, with exercises, tips and reading list included. And what I forgot to mention that it would be a mixed workshop. I don’t allow any separation of men and women on this topic. They both need to know how it works and give each other useful feedback.

I don’t think I will actually organise one of these anytime soon but if you have any ideas on what else could be included, let me know!