The fix-up ambush

Ever have that thing where a friend of yours and their significant other invite you over to a small intimate gathering such as a dinner party or over for cocktails, and the moment you arrive you realize that you're the only single person there -- that is except for just one other person? It's at that moment you realize you've been had -- it's a fix-up.

You realize you're no ordinary guest at this couples only event -- you're a guinea-pig -- the alternate agenda. You find that you and the "other single" have been placed next to each other at the table, or on the couch, (coincidence? I think not) and if you don't begin talking to each other immediately, everyone there will find a reason to introduce you, even if you've been introduced 10 times already.

I like to refer to this as the "fix-up ambush." You don't see it coming -- you never do. You haven't even been briefed properly -- given the full dossier of common interests, topics of conversion to avoid ("whatever you do, don't mention her lazy eye") or even a decent baggage assessment. You're flying cold and have to be this complete stranger's non-date all evening. For the next few hours, you virtually have to be another couple -- you're the "non-couple."

The only thing that makes it more embarrassing is if you've met already, dated, currently work together, or worse, been victims of a previously failed fix-up ambush.