Hi Sandman,

I am glad to have you to give me a reality check. I am going to college in the southern U.S. where more conservative values are present, mainly which includes the old-fashioned pressure to date and marry up as soon as possible. Since I am single by both choice and by failure to connect with women thus far I have also been brainwashed by sources for dating advice that seem to further lay on the pressure. I have stopped hanging out with various social organizations at my uni because I felt excluded for being one of the few singles in my group. But people in these groups have actually shamed me in the past for not coupling up like people have already done or are trying to do. Talk about pouring salt on the wound. Thankfully, I have found several other besties who are single that feel the same way I do.