Dedicated to my chick: Aniesa (My soon-to-be life partner if this article doesn't work)

Shortly after realizing that you want more than just your cat to come home to, you decide to start dating again.

So - out you go into the beautiful morning, enthusiastic about possibly finding a suitable candidate to start your dating escapade with and here he comes...Mr. Handsome. From the surface, he looks polished, well-mannered, cute side-smile that makes you instantly want this man to be the father of your future children. Yummy.

Now, fast forward five months and the same man has turned into a controlling slob that seems to dress appropriately only when deemed absolutely necessary (must've met him on a good day :o|), folds only his share of the laundry and would rather leave a coffee mug on the living room table as a decoration piece rather than carry it to the kitchen sink.

So - now what do you do? Spend another five months trying to fix it, only to realize that fate and this man are working against you.

Round 2

At this point, your dissuasion has gotten the better of you and you've decided not to overlook any possible "flaws" from the beginning...
Date #1: Didn't pay for the date - NO
Date #2: Can't stop talking about The Ex - NO
Date #3: Casual Khaki pants with a grey dress shirt?! - NO! (Did he get dressed in the dark?!)
Date #4: Decided to make a rude remark about my super-cute high fashion pumps

- Oh, Hell-to-the-mother-freakin-NO!

Coming home to your cat doesn't seem so treacherous for the next few weeks until, inevitably, loneliness/boredom strikes again and you think ‘I'm an attractive, smart, independent woman with a lot going on for myself...I should be able to find someone for myself...right?' You ultimately decide that your shallowness has gotten the better of you...maybe you're being a bit too superficial?

Out you go into the morning sun again, enthusiastically anticipating

Round 3...

Eventually, after doing a few rounds, going on extreme highs followed by extreme lows, you have to wonder if "The One" actually exists or if we're forever destined to run in circles chasing smoke.

One can only pray for another soul that can share life's burdens, wish for a relationship that has solidarity and hope for a happy ending.

But for some of us with high standards/high expectations, maybe more than the average women, we must be prepared to deal with some very vile, disrespectful and repugnant men before hopefully finding our long-awaited match. Far away are the days when men would "court" women and the romantism lasted the entirety of the relationship.

It is apparently too much to ask for a man that can open doors, address you with cute "pet names" and have a stable enough job to pay a bill without wondering of the advantages. It is apparently too much to ask for a man that can get into your mind without wondering where else you would be willing to let him go.

Unfortunately, to change these men would be to change all women, for many women are the culprits for allowing this sort of behavior and any woman after her would be expected to endure the same sort of treatment. It really is a hideous cycle.

I, for one, have decided to stand my ground and refuse to date such men. To be with them, I'd have to lower my standards and that's a "Hell No" in my books. How about we get them to raise their standards to meet ours for a change?

Author - Aman Baidwan