Game of hearts

What kind of ice cream best describes you? Which Disney character are you most like and why? What is your favorite sexually transmitted disease?\nWhat do these three questions have in common? They could be potential queries from an old TV favorite: "The Dating Game."\nAs a kid, I was quite the little fan of "The Dating Game." It was intriguing to watch a woman or man choose from three members of the opposite sex based only on a few random and seemingly pointless questions. At the end of the show, the bachelor or bachelorette made his or her selection and was visibly disappointed when the really attractive contestants exited stage right, while he or she was stuck with the noticeably less physically appealing contestant with "a good personality."\nSo of course, after hearing that Teter, my dorm, would be holding a dating game at the "Teter Fiesta," I signed up immediately. Was I going to meet the man of my dreams? Not likely. Was I going to come off as desperate? Probably. Was I going to be humiliated?\nAbsolutely.\nAfter sitting down next to the other contestants, I took a look around. There were five beautiful blondes burning with optimism. I became a little nervous until the announcer said, "OK, if you are blonde, you can leave." Gawking, I watched as all of the blondes left with heavy sighs and disappointed looks. Apparently, Mr. Bachelor had a thing for the brown-headed babes. \nDuring the blonde exodus, I noticed a male candidate sitting next to me. I gave him a funny look and he smiled sheepishly back. "I'm just in it for the free dinner," he assured me. Then he added: "I'm also really drunk! I can't wait until this is over, so I can go back to my room and drink some more!"\nThe questions grew ever more personal as the game went on, and eventually the competition was narrowed down to contestants one and five. Sadly, I didn't make that cut, and I was forced to stand up and join the ranks of dateless losers.\nApproximately 10 minutes later, contestant five took the walk of shame while contestant one hugged her "prize."\nAfter all was said and done, I realized how absurd the whole activity was. With my prior knowledge of "The Dating Game," it should have been obvious from the beginning that it would leave the contestants with a feeling of rejection and no chance of a real connection. \nEven though I regretted participating in "The Dating Game" for quite some time, I now believe it was an overall fulfilling experience: I had a microphone shoved in my face, I saw five blondes get shut down and I got to meet a drunk. How often does that happen on a Sunday?\nAnd, hey, if you like the chance to win a free dinner for two at Fazoli's, "The Dating Game" might be just the thing for you.