Good Date, Bad Date

March 9, 2009
Author and dating authority Martenson (Excuse Me, Your Soul Mate is Waiting) uses her years of experience as a professional matchmaker (and, apparently, a copy of The Rules) to help women understand what men want out of dating and relationships. Sprinkled liberally with personal anecdotes, transcripts of emails from her matchmaking clients and feel-good spiritual clap-trap, this book offers little advice that won't strike readers as old hat (or even plain common sense): don't lie about your age, make him dinner every once in a while, don't be obvious when going for his wallet, try to develop some self-esteem. Moreover, these ideas are presented as grand epiphanies: "In the dating game, staying slim and trim is probably the most important thing you can do" (emphasis Martenson's). Anecdotal evidence is heavily skewed, as Martenson's matchmaking service is for wealthy men who want to meet beautiful women; stories largely concern women uncomfortable dating men who can't provide amenities like private jets. Needless to say, this will hardly help average women who want to understand the men in her life.