Let me start by saying that this "survey," as it's been labeled from participants, was never meant to be taken so seriously that anyone would think it's "real." I only asked that people respond in a serious way, i.e., don't say I should be with Noah from The Notebook. Let's face it, he doesn't exist. That said, I want to thank those of you who did participate. I found the responses quite entertaining and a little eye-opening. The type of partner friends see me with has to be a reflection of what friends see in me...right? It was also fun to think about who wrote what...the friendships I have with people are greatly reflected in their responses. That's neither good nor bad, it just is...everyone knows a different version of me and that is evident here. It was all in good fun though, and I have loved reading everything.
You may be wondering what started all of this. Well, I've had several plots, ideas, themes for a novel but recently I decided to follow one. And while I am always pulling ideas from my personal experiences, this time I decided to deliberately enlist the help of my sister. Plus, I would need someone to conduct the "research" and it had to be someone I could trust. It was also a deliberate decision to have people respond to her, as random as it seemed, so as to eliminate as much bias as possible. When someone talks about you with another person knowing they have a level of security in anonymity, they tend to respond more honestly. If I had directly asked the question I think I would have received different responses.
So, about the book....well, sort of. While most of my close friends have finally accepted that I enjoy my personal life as it exists, I do still hear sentiments like, "are you ever going to start dating again? what if you let Mr. Right go by? I/We just don't want you to be alone forever..." You get the point. But I'm so tired of dating. The game isn't fair, it isn't regulated, and it certainly isn't consistent. After watching TV one night I had a thought, "what was so wrong with arranged marriages, anyway?"
Now, of course, I don't honestly believe that arranged marriages need a come back but I have thought that it would be a lot easier if somebody else had to do the weeding. Alas, an idea was born. While I'm not going to talk too much about the idea now, I am going to say that the reason for the "survey" was to gather some ideas for male characters, ideas of who my friends would set me up with if I came to them and asked, "would you please arrange my marriage?"
So there it is, the secret revealed. Below is a chart of the responses. Responses were kept anonymous, my sister gave everyone a special character. Hope you find it as enjoyable as I did. Feel free to comment, just keep it friendly. Remember, there were no right/wrong answers. Also, my sister and I both just copied and pasted. Everything is as we received it (with very few exceptions).
I'll keep you posted about writing.
Until Next Time,
Courtney Chivon
What does he look like?
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Person^: Don’t think
ethnicity would matter, but I do envision him being tall, moderately built (
muscle heads need not apply), thoughtful eyes and a killer smile.
Person&: As long as
the personality is there looks aren't everything.
Person(: Not really sure
what he should look like either.
Person*: He is tall,
manly, defined, dark wavy hair, dark eyes.
Person~: The guy would be
very tall and built yet an average guy. He would have dark complexion, dark
short hair and dark eyes.
Person}: the person i see
her with has dark hair (either brown or a darker blond) and possibly brown
eyes, though they could be blue, with a body like matthew mcconaughey.
Person|: well. i
guess he would have to be taller than her. slim but still have muscles but
not too much just enough.
Person@: When
I think of a mate for Courtney, The person I see Courtney with is a tall
(just a little bit taller than her), handsome man. He's not buff---per say,
and he's not skinny. I guess I could akin it to an athletic build. Someone
who doesn't really have to work out to get the body, but it just comes as
sort of natural. (a receiver type build). He's a 'white' guy, but he might
have some kind of 'flavor' mixed it----Mexican, Italian, French---something
that makes him a little more tan in color and would give off a more
"cultured family."(and that probably just made no sense. lol)
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What kind of personality does
he have?
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Person^: Easy going,
confident, grounded, funny, intellectually stimulating.
Person*: He is laid back,
intelligent, a sports freak, funny, can be serious when need to be but mostly
just a happy person, is down for anything, adventurous, spontanoues.
Person~: He would be very
humorous and e able to hold an intellectual conversation with her and/or her
friends. Must love wine!
Person}: needs a guy
with an incredible intelligence. like the guys on the big bang theory but
with added flair because she needs someone less nerdy and more attractive
lol.she needs someone who can engage her and keep her stimulated.
Person|: have
a good head on his shoulder. not have everything in common with her so they can
have good educational discussions.
Person@: He has her sense of humor, and really is into
sports. He'll go for whatever sports team is closest to his hometown. i can say
he very much has a personality like Justin Timberlake. Where he's just always
cracking jokes, but is very down to earth, and all-around nice guy.
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What does he do for a living?
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Person^: Finacial liason for
a non profit organization.
Person&: As long as he can
do his part in supporting the family the job shouldn't mean much, as long as
he's doing what he wants.
Person(: He should have
enough money to treat her special, but he should never use that to act like
he owns her.
Person*: He will be a
doctor that is involved with Doctors without borders.
Person~: His job would be
something of the creative type with arts, music, or culture.
Person}: someone who's a
professor, lawyer or a doctor, but is also adventurous and a traveler.
Person@: He's a business guy, and he works for the
family business. He's well off without being loaded. It gives Courtney the
freedom to work in the area she chooses without having to worry about living
paycheck to paycheck. Being the only boy, it was just automatic he'd go into
the family business, but he does well in it. He's a strict but firm boss--a
stickler for the rules, and he follows them himself. (per
conversation may be a wine buiness in Napa Valley lol)
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What kind of person is he?
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Person^: Morally grounded
w/ an unexpecting daring side.
Person(: I think
Courtney doesn't really "need" a man per se, simply because she is
a complete person and multi-dimensional in and of herself. That said, I think
the kind of man who would complement her personality would be someone
reliable and predictable in areas of building a lasting bond of equality that
includes security.
Person*: He is a fun
person. He is a big Giants Fan. He likes all sports but mostly football. He
can get along with everyone, is kind hearted but can slap a bitch when
needed. lol
Person~: He would be very
sweet and caring yet be able/willing to carry on a debate.
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What are his hobbies?
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Person^: Reading,
cooking, wine tasting, traveling, current events, playing board games,
hiking, camping, tailgating, cooking out.
Person&: Hobbies don't have
to match, thats his thing.
Person(: Courtney and
this guy should have a bond with each other based on trust, but one that
allows her to continue her interests and pursuits. Those interests and
pursuits should overlap somewhere, not speculating on where they should
overlap.
Person*: Sports (all but
not golf cuz that is too cliche and boring for a doctor), but he really
enjoys volleyball, softball (beer drinking league), pool, and so on. He
paints on his spare time, loves to read, hike, run, lift weights, drag race
occasionally, loves watching movies (he enjoys all from foreign, to
documentaries, to comedies, to horror and everything in between), He
likes to watch the sky (he is into weather and astronomy), he dabbles in
photographer, and it is not below him to run to Taco Bell at 1 in the
morning! COFFEE, BEER, and WINE!
Person~: He would be
athletic and enjoy life. Adventurous.
Person}: she needs
someone who's the perfect mix of wanting to be outside and go hiking but also
someone who'll sit inside by a fire, discussing books/music/art.
Person|: if he travels a lot that would be a plus
since she loves to travel too.
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Where, in the world, does he
live?
|
Person^: Hopefully CO,
he’d move for the right girl.
Person*: EVERYWHERE! He
really doesn't have a place he wants to needs to settle. He is ok with moving
all of his life, for the fact that he doesn't hold on to material things
unless it is setimental.
Person~: He would live
somewhere "peaceful" that would allow for serenity and tranquility.
Person@: For some reason I see Courtney's mate coming from either
California or the East Coast (PA/NY/MA area).
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What kind of beliefs does he
have?
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Person^: He believes in
equality, that everyone that wants to get married should be able to, he
believes in the right to bear arms, he’s pro choice, he believes in marriage
but doesn’t believe its for everyone. He believes that a couple can make
their own rules, he believes in feminity.
Person*: He doesn't
believe in one particular thing but is curious in all but won't be dragged
down by it, though he doesn't like the hypocricity of it all!
Person~: He would have
morals but not exactly a religion preference. More of an "anything
goes" type of guy.
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What is his family like?
|
Person^: Close knit and
loving.
Person*: He is estranged
from his family, because they don't agree with him not settling down and
doing the doctors without borders but Courtney will be ok with that due to
all the horror stories she's heard about motherinlaws!
Person~: He would love
his family yet be very independent.
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What was his upbringing like?
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Person^: Traditional two
parent home w/ modern twists. Ex: both parents worked, dad cooked and cleaned
too.
Person(: I would think a
guy regardless of his upbringing, would need to see the strengths and
weaknesses of his upbringing and he should be able to talk about that openly.
He should know some of his shortcomings enough to be self-analytical, but not
to where he is stunted by them.
Person*: It was extremely
strict and very traditional. He is rebelling against that for his freedom and
to help others.
Person~: His parents
would be the "hippy" type.
Person}: she doesn't or
need someone who's super religious,
Person|: im not sure what
her religion is but im guessing he would have to have some of the same
beliefs she has.
Person@: I can see him coming from a family of all girls, and he's
the only boy. Which is why it makes him a little more sensitive to regular
issues that us females go through.
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What kind of student was he?
|
Person^: 4.0 average
Person*: He was a
straight A student. He was class victoian because he parents wouldn't except
anything less. He did great in college but 4.0 because this is when he
started to rebel.
Person~: He is very
intelligent but able to turn that off at times to be able to talk with anyone.
Person}: it would help if
he were a good student in school.
Person@: As for the basics it's harder for me to really thoroughly
answer it. He was an 'ok' student. He was a normal grade school student, did
enough to squeak by. He went to a state school and had a normal college
existence. I can see him a president of his fraternity, without all the
douchebaggery that people associate with fraternities.
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Does he have a degree? If yes,
what kind?
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Person^: Yes. Business
degree w/ an emphasis on international affairs.
Person(: He would need to
be able to not be intimidated by her intelligence. Whether or not he has a
degree, I think he should be a self learner and have a natural curiosity and
knowledge of global issues.
Person*: He has 2
degrees. A PHD as a general surgeon and a Bachlors as a P.E. Coach.
Person}: he definitely
has to have a degree (possibly in english, psychology or another science)and
be motivated to DO something.
Person|: have a masters
degree in finances.
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Does he want kids?
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Person^: Only if it was
w/the right person.
Person&: The kid issue is
up to them as a couple. Cant help you there.
Person*: He is open but
not a necessity. He can go either way.
Person}: or who wants a
millions kids, though someone who's open to starting a family would be
perfect.
Person@: He would like kids, but only when they think they are
ready for them....meaning that he's ultimately going to let Courtney decide
when she wants kids.
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Is he traditional or modern?
|
Person^: He’s both. He
believes in being a gentleman and that a girl should be courted but he also
doesn’t expect the lil lady to stay home while he brings home the bacon. He
helps out around the house.
Person*: He has tradional
roots but he's more modern due to his upbringing. He's tradional when it
comes to holidays, but modern when it comes to equality and thinks EVERYONE
is created equal! Just the way the 4 Fathers founded this country on!
Person~: He would be a
mix of modern and traditional. Open the doors, etc old fashioned yet modern
in the since of being the type of guy not afraid to get a mani/pedi.
Person}: he'd have to be
the perfect mix of traditional and modern, as my courtney is this perfect
paradox.
Person@: He's a traditional man....with traditional family values.
I wouldn't say he's religious at the moment, but he was brought up in a
religious household---possibly Catholic.
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What kind of vehicle does he
drive?
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Person^: Something
economical and eco friendly.
Person&: As long as the
vehicle does its part it shouldn't matter.
Person*: He has a
motorcycle to save on gas and a badass truck when he wants to have fun and go
mudding!
Person~: He would have a
large truck.
Person|: have a nice car
but not over the top.
Person@: His car is a company car and it changes every 5 years or
so. Right now it's a Maxima, and he's looking into getting an SUV
car....something akin to the Ford Edge.
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What kind of music does he
like?
|
Person^: Everything!
Depends on his mood.
Person&: Music, anything
but poka and jazz.
Person*: Everything! He
doesn't discriminate against music just like movies. But he can Texas Two
Step!
Person~: He would enjoy
jazz/soft rock type music mostly yet be up for anything.
Person}: he'd have to
like all kinds of music, though i feel one who listens to more country/indie
rock would suit her.
Person|: they would need
to have the similar taste in music .
Person@: His music is eclectic. He's more a country music type
person, but he has been known to enjoy his r&b and gangsta rap (he does
enjoy himself some Snoop Dogg).
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Is there an actor out there
that looks like the guy you would pick?
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Person^: Ryan Gosling,
duh! LOL
Person*: I would imagaine
he would look something like Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
Person|: not sure i'd
pick an actor.
Person@: He' looks like a darker haired version of the actor Eric
Dane.
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Responses from people who didn’t
follow directions.
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Person!: Wow I honsestly
think it might depend on what mood she's in...somedays she's the cowboy
loving, country music listening, family first guy or times the rock loving,
career focused, not always home on time indie man. I know all very vauge.
Person$: A woman or
Santa Clause or A Fat Dude with lots of money.
Person%: take the
guy from #####, teach him to 2 step, get him a passport, and give him a
testosterone injection.
Person?: to tell you
the truth I am not really comfortably answering this question. I just hope
she finds someone who loves her for her and treats her right. Aside from that
I could really care less about the other things. sorry I could not be more
help.
Person+: I think she
need a man not worried about appearance. A take control but not domineering
man. Open minded, but can stand his own. Looks shouldn't matter.
Person{: Not a clue -- I don't really know
her anymore to speak of. Sorry.
I'm probably not a good person to ask given my current
situation right now anyways. Half the time I'm liable to say I'd be perfect,
the other half I'm more tempted to just say she'd be better without the
hassle.
Person#: Okay...give
me a bit...I'll have to think about them..I don;t wan to run off the mouth
with a bunch of crap...know what I mean...lol ß- still waiting…
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Extra Stuff…
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Person&: And the key
ingredient, the topping on the cake. He must........... must be able to get
along with her crazy sister Amanda..... ha ha. hope i helped. love ya guys
and happy hunting.
Person(: When that feels
right, she will know it. Not really sure what he should look like
either. Anyway, I hope this is helpful!
Person~: Oh yea and the
most important part is he MUST love icecream and Starbucks!
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