Originally Posted on April 3, 2012 as a gift to you from Professor Ashur
Commenter Jim asked an interesting question in response to this post:
And that the ugly term settling is making an appearance again because the insanity of the SMP of the last few decades is finally starting to take its toll?
I think that the concept of settling will gain popularity, but it will not be immediately recognizable, at least to some. Articles like this one are probably the first wave of an effort to come up with a new term or description of settling.
Once settling has been successfully rebranded into some other product, a number of women will try to get behind the idea, and it may lead to a handful of moderately satisfying couplings. Women (bless their relativistic little hearts) will try anything that it is vogue, no matter how inherently appalling it may be to the distant observer.
But the cat is out of the bag for most men possessed of any self-respect, meaning that women are going to have to reach deeper into the lower recesses of the beta/omega barrel in order to find commitment. Others will probably try to convert the upper beta range of men into husbands, not realizing that the train has left the station. The smarter and less scrupulous former AFCs can of course play Beta Provider Game.
Some, like Professor Mentu, take a stronger stance.
For those who are not ruled by excessive moral scruples, judiciously dropping a few hints about availability and displaying signs of career success will probably lead to a parking lot blowjob free initial consultation about relationship possibilities. Perhaps even a second interview. Or two. Or three.
Regrettably for many of these women, such interviews are not likely to lead to a formal offer of a position (marriage), but are instead merely a pro forma affair. Just like in the workplace where they have often already determined which candidates are acceptable, but HR policies dictate a minimum number of interviews (If only to confirm the validity of their original choice).
And lets have a quick look at the word that brought us here – Settle.
This is what the women think they will be doing (from dictionary.com):
Settle:
To settle for, to be satisfied with: to settle for less.
Well, mmmmaybe. That was the deal on offer ten years ago. But they missed something elsewhere on the page, which I offer here only because of my love of the English language:
Settle:
to sink down gradually; subside.
to sink to the bottom, as sediment.
to dispose of finally; close up: to settle an estate.
The wise person cuts deals when they are in a position of strength. The fool holds out for the ever-elusive better deal.
