Television, Movies, and... Dating Advice.

The show Catfish on MTV makes me very uncomfortable. It is about people that have online relationships, that for some reason or another have not met in person. Most people on the show are not who they say they are, which leads to the misconception that all online dating is deceitful. I have never tried online dating, but having known people who have met their significant other through online dating, I have some respect for the process.

Interestingly enough, I started watching the show after I finished watching the movie From Up on Poppy Hill for the second time. The contrast in dating between the show and the movie was striking! Granted, they are not only represent two different cultures, they represent two different time periods. From Up on Poppy Hill is based in post-Korean War Japan, focusing on two students who fall in love unexpectedly. I encourage everyone to see the movie - it is funny and cute and has a great soundtrack and, of course, directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli.

Catfish shows that a relationship takes time to develop and does not necessarily rely on physical closeness. From Up on Poppy Hill shows that a relationship can occur in an instant and can last. What does this mean for contemporary adults and young adults? Which dating style should we put our trust in? Is love-at-first-sight real?

*CUE ELLEN-STYLE DANCING*

Keep it cool. What's the name of this post? I can't remember, but it's alright, a-alright. JUST DATE. It's gonna be okay. Da-da doo-doo-doo. JUST DATE. You've got a message bud. Da-da doo-doo-doo. Just date. Gonna be okay. D-d-d-date. Date, date, just j-j-just date.