Thank Goodness for Anna Ticho

I have a new rule that anyone dating should adopt: DON'T AGREE TO THE SHIDDUCH IF THE SHADCHAN DOESN'T KNOW YOU BOTH! "know" is free for interpretation. It could be someone who actually knows you personally, or it could be a shadchan/it who interviewed you. What it can't be is someone who knows your parents well but has never even seen you, or someone who knows the other person's parents so they know the other person comes from a good family and is a good boy/girl.

Someone who knows me (and my family) very well suggested a boy for me. Knowing this person knew me well I agreed to give it a try. Now, I don't know what it is with me and shirts, but guys - how about a nice shirt (see the Nebi Samuel guy) that fits! this guy wore a white shirt that was kinda too big for him. No, that's not why I nixed him but it didn't help him.

We met outside Anna Ticho house, it was in the summer, in the morning, it was nearly 30 degrees celsius (90s Fahrenheit?). He indicated that he would like to go for a walk. Now, i admit it was bad planning on my part, but I hadn't had a chance to put a thing in my mouth yet that day and besides not wanting to start down the road to dehydration (a fear of mine), I at least wanted to drink something. Also, it's kind of hard to look someone in the eye and have a conversation with them while your walking up and down Yaffo street, looking where you're going. So I suggested we sit for drinks in the Anna Ticho restaurant. He reluctantly agreed and we ordered drinks. After awhile I was really hungry and apologised to him and said I really needed to eat something and ordered a soup. (I have to add this: it was not a gourmet, three-course meal, it was just a soup!) We talked and i could see this wasn't going towards a second date. This was later confirmed when it came time to pay. the guy fished around in his pockets for about 10 minutes and finally managed to find a twenty shekel bill (the equivalent of less than $5). Now I understand if the guy can't afford to take girls to restaurants and fancy places, but oh my gosh! He didn't come prepared for ANYTHING! He literally had planned to take a long walk in the heat and call it a date. I know I sound bitchy and spoiled but think about it - he didn't even bring money FOR DRINKS! it's a basic common courtesy IN ANY CULTURE! AND HE WAS AMERICAN! I finally told him i'd pay for the drinks and the soup and he could leave a tip if wanted to.