RSVP Blog
Golf not for Girls?
The stereotype around Golf is that it is a guy's' thing. A typical Golf course setting is usually a picture of lads rolling in with their stash of cheap beer for a weekend golf trip. Golf is also characteristically linked with retired men. Do you find this to be true? To get a better idea - when you think of golf, usually the thought of plaid pants, sweater vests, flat caps (all of which are predominantly male forms of clothing) spring to mind.
Why do you think this is? Do you agree? Do you know many women who enjoy the sport or play regularly? Perhaps some women have cottoned on and got out there to find a man! For many years, the only people on the course were older men dressed rather unfashionably. How about these days? Been on a course lately? Who is typically out there putting right now?
Posted by in The 19th Hole at 4:19 PM
Comments (11)Is there more to 'Summer Love'?
Warmer climates and higher temperatures are said to elevate the mood and heighten happiness, whilst the colder seasons are notoriously known to deplete these blissful feelings. Tales of romance and romantic holiday settings; typically have a summer feel or backdrop. Snow holidays and ski trips are rarely associated with romance and elation. You're more likely to find colder, snowier settings as the backdrop for a student holiday or a somber film.
So, the question is - does the weather affect your mood or have we been conditioned to believe this? Does hot weather promote those 'loving feelings' and does the colder weather reduce them? Would you opt for a romantic getaway in the snow? Surely the body warmth and snuggles would uncover some romance? When you think of the snow, do you think - fun trip with friends or - loved-up trip with a significant other?
Posted by in Snow Loving Singles at 3:03 PM
Comments (14)Aussie Icons
Regardless of whether you are Australian or not, the typically recognisable list of iconic Australian landmarks and celebrated sites are always the same to most people. Ask just about anyone and you're almost guaranteed they'll blabber on about Sydney Harbour Bridge, Great Barrier Reef, or Uluru. As fabulous and grand as these attractions are, surely there are numerous other notable places to be experienced and seen?
Why do you think it is that, for no apparent reason, there are less publicised attractions that are hardly (if ever) mentioned? Why do some gain more exposure than others? What are your favourite Australian landmarks and historic sites? Which extraordinary Australian places would you recommend fellow Aussies (and the rest of the world) should know about? Which places do you think should gain more attention and which do you think are maybe a little overrated?
Posted by in We Love Australia at 4:15 PM
Comments (31)Don't learn from my mistakes!
Life delivers lessons by the truck load. Whether or not we actually learn from these lessons is up to us. Learning from life experience brings a wealth of knowledge that can't be taught in school. Sure, some experiences are better left in the past, however how important do you feel it is to share these with your children? So much emphasis is placed on being a good role model and proving a fine example for the youngsters; however isn't it important to show them the results of some bad choices that you've made?
Yes it may be important for them to learn from their own mistakes,but what if you could help?Have you ever revealed something shameful about your past to your children in an effort to help them avoid making the same mistakes you may have made at their age? Or do you keep the stories from your past nice and sugarcoated, placing a halo where you once had horns?
Posted by in Single Parents at 5:09 PM
Comments (34)Fly-in, Fly-out relationships. Do they work?
Many miners are offered what is referred to as a 'fly-in, fly-out' arrangement, as mines are often in remote areas far from any cities or towns. Rather than relocating, employees are flown to the work site for numerous days of work and then flown back to their home town for numerous days of rest. Whilst some couples are totally dependent on each other, living in someone's pocket is not always (if ever) a positive. Do you like the idea of your partner not being around all the time, but still being in a loyal, healthy relationship?
Do you agree that the best relationships are the ones where there is a partnership rather than complete and utter dependence? Are you more than happy to maintain your independence, even when you're attached? Do you think fly-in, fly-out employment can place stress on family and other relationships or do you feel that this 'space' is important?
Posted by in Mining Men at 4:24 PM
Comments (22)Depression in the Outback
Recent reports show that people living in rural regions are much more at risk of suffering depression than city-dwellers. Can you think of reasons why this is the case? Studies have also revealed that those living on the countryside are more likely to take up smoking and also drink more. The factors attributed include the harsh environments and drought, the economy, the general recession in rural communities, the closing of local services including banks and schools and the increased levels of unemployment.
In your experience, how true is this report to you? The serious nature of the issue in regional Australia is seeing the rise of suicide rates in men over the age of 25. Why do you think the numbers are alarmingly higher for males? What factors do you think contribute to this grave matter? Can you validate or debate any of this information?
Posted by in Farmer Wants A Date at 3:50 PM
Comments (166)What's Your Sport?
Having joined this community, you've indicated that you're a sports fanatic. So here's your chance to prove it! Let loose and talk about the sport you're mad about and why you love it so much. You may be an all round sports lover, or a fan devoted only to soccer. Maybe you love all water sports or you only have time for basketball?
Do you play the sport yourself or are you a dedicated follower (or both!)? Is it your favourite team or sports star that makes a fanatic out of you? Is it your own sporty skillfulness that made you an enthusiast? Or is it that you love being a spectator in the exciting atmosphere of a sports stadium? Whatever your sport of choice is and whatever your reasons, tell us all about it!
Posted by in Sports Fanatics at 4:26 PM
Comments (27)Constrained or Spontaneous?
Most people have a set of dating ground rules - or at least one. What to do, what not to do - boundaries, timing and such. Sure, first impressions are important, but how many rules can one have before the date becomes completely choreographed? Are you someone with rules - when it's comfortable to hold hands, when it's ok to be touchy feely, when it's ok to have your first kiss?
Ever found yourself with so many rules that nothing you do represents the way you are feeling? Ever felt pressured or persuaded on a date - to change your ground rules? Ever stayed within your boundaries and wished you hadn't - or jumped outside of your boundaries and regretted it? Do you just go with the flow and act on impulse?
Posted by in Dating Life Archive at 3:08 PM
Comments (244)Practical or Pleasure?
With relationships aplenty behind you, if offered the choice, what would you choose of the following: a few days of total euphoria or a further 30 years of convenience? By the time we hit 50 (for some even by 20!) we've usually already experienced or had a taste of both the practical and the pleasurable. Practical relationships come in bucket loads. The relationships that you may not have hand-picked yourself - but they fell into your lap and fit in nicely in a geographical, timely kind of way.
Then there are the completely impractical ones that you chose yourself, carefully (or not-so-carefully) from the many apparent "fish-in-the-sea" - the kind that is by no means easy or comfortable - but is often more exciting than functional. So, regardless of whether you've experienced one or both kinds, which relationship would you opt for? The opportune or the impossible?
Posted by in Over 50 And Fabulous at 5:30 PM
Comments (136)Dance Like Nobody's Watching!
Everyone's heard the mantra "Dance Like Nobody's Watching" and perhaps you've already embraced this fine suggestion. However, have you noticed that the people preaching this either are, or might as well be, world class dancers? It's easy to dance like nobody's watching when you're a professional! When it comes to the practice of dancing in public devoid of inhibition, do you expend most of your dancing energy worrying what others will think of you?
Or do you get out there and tear the rug up - regardless of your technique (or your two left feet)? Do you prefer to be the wall-flower whilst watching others dance themselves silly? You'll note that in most clubs, parties, and other social dance settings, there are the dancers and there are the watchers. Which one are you?
Posted by in Shall We Dance at 5:16 PM
Comments (55)Biking boom!
Almost 100,000 motorcycles, mopeds, scooters and small 'all-terrain' vehicles were sold in Australia this year - up until September 2008, according to official figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). This shows that, year-on-year, there has been a five percent increase. What do you think is attributed to this surge?
Is it the current economic environment? Is it the painfully high petrol prices? Why do you think bikes and the likes have become more popular? Is it because the market now offers an extensive range of models, so everyone from expert bikers through to beginners are having no problem finding a suitable dirt bike? If you were one of those recent buyers in the past year, what influenced your decision to buy?
Posted by in Live To Ride at 4:22 PM
Comments (90)Everyone loves a love song
From the Egyptian Pharoah Rameses through to the king of pop Elvis - love songs have long been a way of emotional expression. You may immediately think of Celine Dion in this genre, however even punk rockers and rappers are sometimes compelled to express topics of love in song. The genre is timeless. Everyone has a favourite love song - admit it! So many beautiful songs declaring the joys and triumphs of that all powerful feeling.
Even if it isn't directly related to romantic love, a love song can move you. Artists have penned love songs for their country; for a friend; for their faith; for a family member; some even for a pet! It has been argued that love songs are a hoax, feeding our fantasies or exaggerating the truth. Do you believe this? Whatever you think of them, love songs are here to stay - and just about everyone loves to love them! So, what's your favourite love song of all time?
Posted by in Music Lovers at 10:58 AM
Comments (802)Shape up in time for summer!
Oh yes, summer is sweeping on in and there are many winter bods afraid to see the sunshine. Anyone guilty of the winter tendency to over-indulge? Are you facing that time of year again where you wish you hadn't had so many weak moments in the colder months? Or did you treat your body sensibly enough through winter so that the transfer to scanty summer wear wouldn't be so scary?
Do you go into hibernation-mode and find it harder to stay in shape when it's cold outside? Got any hints on how to get in shape quickly enough for the summer? Any tips on what you can do to keep healthy when all that rich warm food is plentiful during the chillier seasons? Whether you are in dire need of shedding the spare winter tyre or you're the expert on keeping lean when cold - share your hints!
Posted by in Fitness Fanatics at 9:43 AM
Comments (12)Dating Game Players
You've heard of them. Players, man-eaters, heartbreakers, charmers, sweet-talkers. Call them what you will, somehow they always seem to have a hoard of prospects lined up. How do they gather so many hearts? How do they manage to leave behind such a trail of disenchanted, innocent beings? Have you found yourself beguiled with the likes of one of these gamers? Ever been the casualty of a serious relationship game? What is the basis of their appeal?
If you've come across more than one of them, you'll know - it isn't that they are always attractive or intelligent. In fact some are quite the opposite of those things. And yet they still manage to have a human catalogue of devotees. What is it? Is it the challenge? What do you think is so intriguing about them?
Posted by in Dating Life Archive at 4:27 PM
Comments (550)'Birds of a feather fly together...'
It may have been mother nature's decision - a comfort with the familiar is what we as humans gravitate towards. There is also the scientific hypothesis that 'opposites attract'. How does this translate when seeking a partner? Which law do you believe in? How important is it to you to find a partner of the same ethnicity or background? Do you seek someone of the same or similar faith and beliefs as you?
Do you believe that your partner should share your morals and values, or level of education? Why is it, that we are attracted to certain types of people and not to others? Do you think that differences and diversity adds more colour and excitement to a relationship? Are you an idealist who believes that any match is possible, or a realist with a partner checklist?
Posted by in Christian Singles at 1:43 PM
Comments (65)Home Swappers Holiday!
Cameron Diaz swapped with Kate Winslet in 'The Holiday'. Home exchange holidays are becoming more and more popular worldwide - where people swap homes, vehicles and even their beloved pets for a holiday break! Does free lodging with many of the comforts of home sound appealing to you? How would you like swapping your humble abode for a holiday destination such as a loft in New York? A traditional French Cottage? Or a local beach house on the Gold Coast?
Yes it all sounds sweet, but what if your hometown does not spring to a vacationer's mind when holidays are being planned? The downside is, your choice of destination won't always have available home swappers. Have you ever been on a home holiday exchange? What did you exchange? How did it go? Did you or would you feel comfortable exchanging your house with a stranger? Swap your home swapping stories!
Posted by in Adventure Travellers at 2:42 PM
Comments (4)Grow your Own Food?
Are you a fan of growing your own foods at home in your backyard or, if you're lucky - on your own farm? Do you take pride in your own fresh, organic produce, or does the thought of do-it-yourself agriculture make you itchy? With prices hiking - particularly in organic and macrobiotic markets, it seems far more attractive to cultivate your own groceries and boast about them at the dinner table - or to anyone who'll listen!
What vegetation are you currently harvesting? Do you, like Jamie Oliver, prefer to farm your own poultry? Whether it is in a tiny pot plant; a fenced off patch; or a great big pasture, what foods are you growing? What are your handy food-growing hints? What are the difficulties you've experienced?
Posted by in Food and Wine Lovers at 2:27 PM
Comments (371)Has 'The Secret' been revealed?
Just about everyone has heard of the revolutionary "Secret" that's out. Surely you've also heard the controversy, the skepticism, the plagiarism rumours and such. So it is an existing theory that one author took under her wing and sparked a phenomenon (with a little help from Oprah). What is your take on this 'law of the universe'? Does it ring true to you?
Have you tried to summon good things into your life - as the law of attraction asks you to do? Can you look back and find times where you really do feel you attracted the things around you - depending on whether your energy was positive or negative? Is the secret really out?
Posted by in Spiritual Singles at 4:37 PM
Comments (243)Date Habits
Have you formed any first date habits - such as always suggesting the same place or always wearing the 'first-date' safe outfit? Do you always wait a certain amount of time before making that first phone call? Most of us have dating habits - whether it be always using the same ice-breakers or always cracking the same joke.
Some of us even go to the extent of arranging an escape route or "emergency phone call" on the off chance that the date is less than ordinary. What are your dating habits? Are they working for you or against you? Got any sure-fire hits that work wonders every time? Which habits have you blacklisted - never to surface again?
Posted by in The Gaybourhood at 4:14 PM
Comments (148)