The Nod: Friends’ Approval
Fresh from watching Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey’s movie, Failure to Launch, I write about the topic of getting the approval of your partner’s friends. Parker’s character, Paula, called it “The Nod”, which basically is referring to the literal nodding of the friends. It can be interpreted to them saying that their friend whom she’s dating has made a good decision in going out with her, which then caused her to assume that he’s on the road to falling for her and the possibility for the relationship to grow serious is much higher.
Let me explain it further in my own way. It’s like seeing them give their blessing on your newly-found dating relationship with their mate. I mean, all of us have our own tight-knit group of friends, whom we consult from time to time and value their insights on the people we date. So, introducing them to the person we’re currently dating for the first time can be crucial to the future of the relationship. Personally, if I am to date someone, I prefer him to be able to mingle and get along well with my friends and vice versa. The relationship will be a little less complicated that way. But if for some unfortunate reason and these people don’t mesh well, I admit, I’d have to drop the guy — after careful consideration, of course.
Granted that there’s a line between seeking their approval and them dictating who we date, it actually depends on us, really. It’s how much power you give them. There’s actually nothing wrong with it so long as you are happy with how things in your dating life is turning out to be.
So, what’s your personal stand on the matter? Do you think that “The Nod” is a vital part of a successful dating relationship? Do you actively seek out “The Nod” from your date’s friends? What about your friends?
Tags: approval, Dating, dating-practices, Failure-to-Launch, friends, friendship, Matthew-McConaughey, movies, relationship-stress, relationship_support, Sarah-Jessica-ParkerRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Answer This, Books, Magazines, Newspapers, & Television
1 opinion for The Nod: Friends’ Approval
Dating Dames » Meeting the Family
Nov 13, 2006 at 3:00 pm
[...] It’s bad enough that you have to get used to an expectant public, meeting his or her friends, him or her meeting yours and then it’ll be time to mingle with the family. [...]
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: