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IT ONLY TAKES ONE: A GRANDMOTHER'S HINTS FOR TELLING THE PRINCES FROM THE FROGS

I didn't date much in high school and university. I was envious, of course, but in some cases I realized that I didn't miss much. I used to keep telling myself, "It only takes one." When my children bemoaned their limited romantic life, I would say, "Don't worry. It only takes one."

Dating for the sake of dating has its uses, but too much can be a waste of time. Life offers a variety of activities and relationships. Perhaps it is a good idea to take a breather once in a while, sit on the sidelines, and watch for THE ONE who could be a potential life partner.

From a mother's point of view, no man is good enough for my daughter. But I'm willing to make concessions, if the potential candidate exhibits the right characteristics.

What qualifies a man as a superior dating prospect?

1. He is more interested in you as a person than in sex. That should be a no-brainer, but in the current social climate, expectations vary.

2. He is reliable. He shows up when he says he will, and ends the evening at approximately the time he estimated. If he agreed to pick up some pistachio ice cream or your dry cleaning on the way over, he does it. To the romantic soul, such lack of spontaneity may sound dull, but reliability is an essential quality for a long-term relationship.

3. His family gets along well and appears reasonably functional. His father treats his mother with respect. The relationship you see between his parents is a pretty fair preview of what you can expect in the long run.

4. He has his own place and is in no hurry to get out of it. Men who are still living at home or are perpetually talking about "getting out of this dump" may be looking for a mother substitute.

5. He has reasonable manners and knows how to dress appropriately for the occasion. Outward conformity is not a sign that a man lacks imagination or originality. It generally means that he is secure enough that he doesn't have to go out of his way to draw attention to himself.

6. He participates in a number of interesting activities instead of sitting at home playing video games. This is a person who knows how to build a well-balanced life.

7. He has a wide circle of friends rather than clinging to a clique. If he is in a self-imposed ghetto, he will demand that you be part of it too, and abide by its rules.

8. To the best of his ability, he is paying his own way. Financial responsibility is a vital quality in the long haul.

9. He has a sense

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