This one's for you Carl! 

If you're one of the people who don't like rants, please travel on to a more "relaxing" weblog.  Although I've touched on the subject before, my latest encounter with the opposite sex has precipitated this "rant." 

Ballroom dancing is my hobby, and one I love.  Strike up the band and spin me around the floor and I think I'm in heaven.  Am I looking for romance on the dance floor?  Do I think I'll find "Mr. Right" easing into a Fox Trot?  Hardly.  It's a dance, not romance.  (Thank you very much!) 

However, some men (predators they are) like to think that women will swoon for them if they can:  a. Keep time with the music and/or b.  Not step on women's toes. 

However, if you are old enough to be my father I'm especially not interested in romance.  Case in point:  A certain man "sought me out" on the dance floor a number of times only to "shift his focus" to a woman more his age.  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he's dancing with the older chick.  However, dance etiquette dictates that if a gentleman (and I use that term loosely) asks you to dance, it is impolite to decline.  I danced with him, had dinner, etc...  However, when we're both sitting at the same table (with the old chick) and the band begins I turn invisible.  Trying to be "nice" apparently doesn't work well for me. 

OK, now you can all point your fingers and scoff.  What in the heck were you thinking anyway?  Yeah, yeah! 

So, what did I do.  Well, I told the "old geezer" that he WAS too old for me and to dance with the old chick that was more his age.  Then, I took my glass of Merlot and sampled the ballroom dancing talents of many younger (and better) dancers. 

My lesson has been learned - I'm sticking with men who are within my age range and not yet on Viagra.  Being polite and politically correct only go so far.....