Never Been Kissed

You'd expect that once you turn nineteen, people would no longer feel the urge to hush those around you from talking about their love life because there are "virgin ears" present. Though I can't say I haven't pretty much heard it all before anyways, some of my friends still feel the urge to, unintentionally, isolate me from the group of, what I guess they would believe are, "more mature" girls by repeating this phrase on a regular basis. I don't let it get to me, they are right about the fact that I am a virgin. A virgin to the extreme. "White as snow," they once said before. I have never been kissed, never had a boyfriend, and never really dated anyone. Heck, I can't really name one guy who was even seriously interested in me before.

Though I could go on and on about the awful life of being single like a lot of people who are in the same boat as me, which actually looks rather good at times when compared to the lives of my taken friends who spend day in and day out fighting with or complaining about their significant others, what annoys me more are the attitudes of those around me due to it. Is being single, and having always been single, really such a novelty at my age?

It's gotten to the point where I can't stand to go out with a group of my friends, some of which happen to be younger than me, because that's all they can talk about. Though I have no problem listening to, and often times enjoy, their romance, break-up, heart-to-heart, girl talk sessions... there are times when I just want to bang my head against the table until I've reached the point of unconsciousness... I'm sure I'm not alone. If you are a single person who has experienced situations such as:

1. When they're getting down to the sexy details of their relationship talks and one or all of them feel the need to turn to the V at the table and ask, "Talking about this stuff doesn't bother you does it?" (I'm nineteen for goodness sake, I can take it. In case you don't know, there are plenty of people who are in relationships that don't enjoy listening in detail about your love life, but just because I'm a V I must have a problem with it... Like elementary school kids have problem with cooties.)

2. If there is any guy or girl (depending on your preference) alone at the restaurant or wherever you happen to visit, and he or she is around the same age as you, they start with the, "Hey, they're kind of cute..." Nudge, nudge with the elbow.

3. When your friend is currently having problems with his/her significant other and feels the need to come to YOU for advice. (I have no problem with lending an ear and sometimes ranting on about what a jerk your love is being, but ask me for advice and I will want to pound you with a sledgehammer.) Especially because last week they asked you for the same advice and you clearly told them, "I. Don't. Know."

4. After about an hour of non-stop talking about their exes and the current people they are talking to or dating, everyone notices that you haven't been saying much to contribute to the conversation and feel the need to (at the same time) say, "Oh but don't worry, you're not missing out on anything." "Yeah men are jerks (Or whatever about women), you're better off without one." Or. "You'll find someone someday." Like the whole while you were asking for consolation. But thanks for trying to make it seem like I had a reason to feel bad, really.

5. At the slightest mention of a name of the opposite gender (or same, whatever applies to you) everyone who knows you (especially family) feels the need to overreact about it. You can't even talk about a friend anymore (who you will only ever see as friend) without your family saying, "Oh, so is so and so cute? Do you like him/her? Do you? Do you? DO YOU?" And then suddenly you don't want to talk about your FRIEND anymore, because the situation just became slightly awkward.

... Then rant with me! No, you are not a relationship hater. You are not a hater of couples. In my eyes (but maybe I'm being biased, I don't know) this doesn't make you jealous either. These comments might make you feel down about yourself. If you're like me, they probably don't even make you feel down on yourself. What annoys me the most is that people feel the need to treat me as if I'm flawed because I'm single or have a reason to feel downhearted when I'm fine in reality. They also make it seem like I must be desperate to have a hubby because I haven't had one in... forever, when actually I'm fine the way I am now and am willing to take things slow. Is being single a handicap? Is it something that needs sugary words of comfort and (although people don't blatantly admit it) pity? Of course not.

Take it from a girl who's been single her whole life. There really is nothing wrong with it. I don't have anything to compare single life to anyways. I'm also aware that I'm only nineteen and my life is just beginning. I still have my fingers crossed that that perfect someone is out there somewhere and I know I still have plenty of time to find them. I don't expect to find him on the first try, but I'm not about to date anyone just for the sake of finally updating my status on Facebook either (oh won't that be a shocker when it finally happens). I'm going to try to get it right, maybe make some mistakes and gain some regrets along the way. I take pride in knowing I've never been kissed for now, not will never be kissed forever. And if I'm a novelty, so what? That's all the better :).