One of the fundamental differences I have between me and my male friends is this: I will not pursue a guy I know I will be "settling for." There's always a point where you know: a point where you have to explain a joke or a reference he should have gotten, a point where you have to shrug off an offensive comment he made. Ladies, you know what I mean.
Sure, a gal could keep going at that point: impress him with wit and self-assurance, with style and connections--the social currency he would understand. And tits, of course. But why bother? Why waste carefully lifted-and-separated tits on a guy who can't string together a sentence, or who doesn't know your favorite book, band, film, or whatever cultural reference du jour?
These things may sound petty, but I have thrown men out of bed for less.
One very cute, worldly, polyglot younger guy with a great ass and the perfect ass-flattering jeans, for example, never got invited back for a seemingly minor music faux pas. "Are you insane," you ask? "Yes, most likely."
Here's the rub:
Dude with Ass: So, what's a Bob Dylan song I might know?
Dubious Dolores: So you don't know any? Like not even "Highway 61?"
DWA: Um...
DD: [sings Hwy 61]
DWA: no, I dunno.
DD: How about "Rainy Day Women?" [sings it]
DWA: ...nah...huh? Is that about pot?
The conversation went on long enough to plumb my Dylan Singles Resource, until the coffee was drunk, and I could reasonable ask him to leave. I begged off on grounds of having "work" to do (which we all know means "I want you outta here, like an hour ago!").
Of course, certain characteristics might override such a lack of cultural awareness. Like, if he were a millionaire who worshipped me and was great in the sack. But seriously, ladies, those are not as common as television would have us believe.
A poor man with a great CD collection is much more realistic. Even if he is shorter than me! One day I will have osteoporosis, so that won't matter. We will still have hour after hour to discuss the meaning of "the ghost of 'lectricity howls in the bones of her face." Boys, if you have an interesting analysis of that line, please let me know. I am still (god, surprisingly!) single as all get-out.