Fresh out of love

We’re young. We’ve got love to mess around with, time to screw up, and money to lose. Right? We wish. Here’s how to get your life back.

With nearly 40,000 students on campus, it should be impossible to be fresh out of love. But since finding a date can seem as difficult as catching the X bus to the stadium, Inside took on the role of matchmaker. We found two students who claim to be unlucky in love and sent them to Siam House for a blind date and tasty Thai food.

Elliott Netherland, sophomore
Major: exploratory
Netherland says he’s unlucky in love because all his relationships end poorly. He says he’s not looking for a long-term relationship, but he wouldn’t avoid it.

Kelly Fox, sophomore
Major: speech pathology
Fox says she’s never had a boyfriend, but she’s not looking for anything serious. She says she doesn’t feel any pressure to settle down because she wants to explore her options and meet people.


AFTER THE DATE, HE SAID:

We were able to talk the whole time. It wasn’t awkward. We had enough in common where we could talk for a steady hour and a half. There were a few awkward moments in conversation when there were five or 10-second pauses.

I don’t think a lot of things are awkward, but I can tell when other people feel it. I would see Fox again to get to know her better.

AFTER THE DATE, SHE SAID:

It was less awkward than I thought it would be. We asked each other basic questions about our hometowns, majors, and extracurricular activities. We talked about where we lived freshman year and what we did. Nothing too intense.

Netherland is relaxed, sweet, and friendly, but I want to stay single and have fun.
My big thing is, I’m 19. I want to see what’s out there.


THE EXPERT EXPLAINS

Jennifer Bass, Kinsey Institute director of communications

Our two daters aren’t necessarily compatible. I think she has different interests than he does, but that doesn’t mean that they didn’t have a good time. The awkward moments are natural, and they may not end with the night.

At IU, there is a chance you will see each other, and you know you are taking a risk. So even if it’s awkward for one, it is awkward for the other. So there is some comfort in that. A good date comes down to communication and respect.