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From: seifert@hammer.UUCP (Snoopy)
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Re: Do we "need" relationships?
Message-ID: <1582@hammer.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 24-Oct-85 02:51:54 EDT
Article-I.D.: hammer.1582
Posted: Thu Oct 24 02:51:54 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 25-Oct-85 04:25:26 EDT
References: <285@whuts.UUCP> <533@oakhill.UUCP> <286@whuts.UUCP>
Reply-To: tekecs!doghouse.TEK!snoopy
Distribution: net
Organization: The Daisy Hill Puppy Farm
Lines: 53
Summary: 

In article <1147@sdcsvax.UUCP> lewak@sdcsvax.UUCP (George lewak) writes:

George:
>At this point, it became apparent that Snoopy is defending his position
>for his use of the word "need", because of the general belief that
>"needing" a relationship is immature, or not machismo, or whatever.
>So, by claiming lack of a better word, he redeems himself.  Of course,
>his true opinion is still apparent when he decides not to find
>one, anyway.

He whose breath reeks of Mo Shu Alpo:
Need for a relationship has little to do with maturity, immaturity,
machismo, or shoe size. (In this beagle's opinion, anyway) Bill is
claiming that the need for a relationship is unhealthy.  Whether it
is unhealthy or not, many people (and beagles!) do need a relationship,
and we have to deal with that need somehow.  Being told that you
don't need what you know good and well that you *do* need is less than
helpful.

You can say that what we "need" consists of oxygen, water, food,
and in most climates, clothing and shelter.  This is what we require
to survive, not to live.  What we require to live is not as easily
defined.  It varies from person to person, and from time to time
throughout our lives.  It is also difficult to detirmine what we
need verses what we merely want.

I've been attempting to write about people in general, not about
my specific case.  (I'm a little strange, and things that are
true for me are often not true for people in general.)  Perhaps
there's a better word than "need", perhaps there isn't.  I'm
not a writer, ok?

To satisify George's curiosity, yes, I feel that I need a relationship.
Perhaps this need wouldn't be so strong if society wasn't so strongly
couple oriented.  But with most people coupled and only interested
in doing things with their SO (and kids) there's really noone else
to do anything with.  And many people who are single don't want to
"waste" time with someone who "isn't going to work out".  And to add
insult to injury, the VAXen are usually down for backups on Friday
nights, so I can't even read usenet!  :-\

The answer changes if we use George and Bill's definition of
relationship. (relationship = sex) I *think* that for me, sex is
on the top of the "want" list, rather than on the "need" list.
But I'm not sure at this point.  Coming up with a more definite
answer will require extensive research.  :-)

Snoopy
tektronix!tekecs!doghouse.TEK!snoopy

"But you're so brave to expose ... all those ... popsicle toes."

				Michael Franks