“A romantic dinner for one should be a manifestation of one’s independence. It often feels like that for those of us who are single, but not in a way worth celebrating. It’s not an experience worth bragging about on social media. And if you can’t brag about a meal on social media, why eat it? You might as well slug back some Soylent and keep powering through Us Weekly.”

I enjoyed your romp through ‘a romantic dinner’ but you claim you have no ‘bragging’ rights. Really? Are you sure? Is social media the only place bragging rights matter? I don’t think so. I know several men and women who love to cook ‘romantic dinners’ for their friends and have everyone over to try it. They thrive on all the compliments they receive for that ‘fantastic meal,’ and they are not dating any of the guests.

You rightly observe that: “Dating is full of uncertainty; there’s a relief to staying one step ahead of rejection.” But is that rejection focused on the dinner or me? With a houseful of friends, it would have to be the dinner. And since I know how to cook, it would be a preference issue, not a quality one.

This whole discussion is making me hungry — better get out the invites.