I know I just wrote a post on which I professed that people are not just "numbers", but it got me thinking about my numbers-- not just the number of partners I've had, but the more esoteric things about my relationships. How many of them do I still talk to? How many could I still recognize just by their voice? How much do they know about me? How much time did we spend together? What sort of time was it-- just time for sex, or are they people I spent afternoons or nights or meals or awkward moments with?
I got down to it and compiled some numbers. In an over-arching, long-term hope for things, I'd love to know other people's numbers like this, so we could all start compiling a database of what is normal, what's quirky, what's sweet, what's not, and what real relationships sex lives in the 21st century are really like, dispelling urban myths, and talking openly and honestly. How awesome would that be? And so, I give you...
Men By The Numbers:
Only 2 know where I'm ticklish. (If they remember.)
Only 5 men know how I share (or don't share) a bed. Only 3 of those men actually know what I look like when I'm asleep. Of those 3, only 1 has spent hours around me while I haven't been wearing glasses. And a fun fact: the average number of sexual partners for heterosexual men is 7; for heterosexual women, it's 4. I like being above average.
Only 1 ex and my closest guy friends know what my living space looks like. I tend to be overly mysterious and protective about it.
Only 1 man other than my father has ever cooked for me. Only 2 men I'd been seeing have ever paid for my food. Only 4 have offered. None know how I like my eggs. Only 1 knows how I take my coffee.
I've only had to supply the condom once. ...But I've had to make a point of it twice. 2 guys asked if I was on birth control. Good guys!
4 times I've bought men clothing only to have it crash and burn soon thereafter. Lesson? No more buying men clothing.
Number of times I've been in love: 3. Out of those times, 1 ended after a bloody and prolonged death, 1 will be eternal, and 1 fell out-of-love with pragmatism and change. Number of times I have said those three words out-loud: Never.
Number of times I've been proposed to: 2. Number of proposals I accepted: None.
Number of relationships I've had since I started dating at the age of 16: 9. Practice makes perfect.
Number of those 9 relationships that lasted over a month: 2. 1: Abysmal and too apathetic to end it sooner. The other: A hell of a learning experience. Number of relationships that lasted over 6 months: None.
Number of times a man has surprised me: Once.
Number of men who have up and died on me: 1.
Number of times I've been left: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. TOO MANY TO COUNT. Number of times I've been the dumper: 2. Most commonly heard excuse: "I think we need to take a break." "Breaks" never happen, FYI. "Breaks" never un-break. Breaks are The End.
Most commonly-cited reason for me ending things with a guy: "I know about her." Number of times I've been cheated on: 3. 1 actually admitted it to me-- thank you. Number of times I picked the other woman out of the crowd: All 3 times. It's an odd and sad gift. Number of men I've cheated on: 2.
Number of exes I've stayed in close contact with: 2.
Most common denominator among the men I've been with: Dark hair.
Favorite type of the opposite sex: Dark hair, dark skin, light eyes. Did you know? People with blue or green eyes are more biologically attracted to other blue or green eyed people because the chances of their offspring being born with brown eyes is a great indicator of either A.) A stray recessive gene, or B.) Unfaithfulness. It's natural pre-natal planning.
Most common letter of first name of men I've dated: A tie between Rs and As.
What I notice first in the opposite sex: Height. Hands. Arms. Eyes. Facial structure. Hairline. Smile.
Who made the first move: Always them. It's a girl's job to make sure that her interest is known. It's a man's job to act on it from there.
What I will remember automatically about every man I've been with until I die: The way they smell, and the sound of their voice. Other odd things I'll remember: Body language quirks, laughs, and bad habits.
Pet-peeves about men I've repeatedly ground my teeth about: Snoring. When asked "How are you," having them answer, but not ask how I am in return. Leaving without saying goodbye. Holding utensils like a barbarian. Breaking plans.
What I appreciate most in a guy: Intellect, and the ability to both dish it out and take it. Bickering is sexay.
I have never believed a man other than my father when told I'm beautiful. ...Though I am susceptible to compliments about my character.
Most commonly-dated ethnicity: Italian. Number of men I was with while in Italy: 0. Irony.
The Good: 4 men have inspired me to write. The Bad: 2 yielded pretty weak stuff. The Best: 2 gave me the roots of the best poetry I've ever written, and 1 gave me looooooots of blog fodder. So you have him to thank.
I've been with more men over 5'10" than under. I've been with 4 over 6 feet in height. I like 'em tall.
I also like them older, though I have been with 2 younger.
4 were musicians. 3 were party-happy. 6 were artistic. 1 was another writer. 1 was a lay-about. 3 had criminal records. At one time, my bio line could have read, "If you have blue eyes, a criminal record, and a weed problem, you'll love me!" 3 of them fit that exact description. Surprisingly, only 1 of those 3 makes my list of Top 2 Disappointments. The other member of that list just confounds me.
The longest I've ever been able to stay interested in 1 man: Over 6 months. Once. The shortest I stayed with 1 man: 2 weeks.
Of those men, I still think of 1 every. single. day.
And the person who may know me best: 1 of those men. What he still doesn't know: Volumes more.
XOXO
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