It’s a shame things can’t just be what they are, but instead carry a lot of additional weight. I do think it’s possible to grow past the absurdly Victorian moeurs that are sadly so prevalent throughout the USA, but it’s not at all easy. It must be exhausting for most women to attempt to determine what is the “right” thing to do during the dating process. For my part, during the rare times I attempted dating while living in the USA, I had no expectations. I simply hoped to meet, here and there, interesting women with whom conversation could be enjoyable and stimulating. Beyond that, there seemed to be so much fear and self-doubt and paranoia regarding sexual contact that it seemed better for the most part to assume that any physical intimacy was highly improbable. Hence I’m delighted to be back in Europe, where life is infinitely less complex with regards to dating and infinitely more pleasurable.