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The action doesn't matter. The person you're doing it with does.

Two friends are on the balcony watching couples. Somehow, they are arguing whether any of the couples would last. Is physical touch important in a relationship?


The gesture doesn’t matter. The person you’re doing it with, that’s what matters.


Elaborate.


For example, I can hold your hand. May I? I don’t feel anything… but warmth. It’s just two friends holding hands. There are no butterflies. I could hug you. It doesn’t matter. It’s a friendly hug.


I could kiss you. It’s just a friendly platonic kiss. No feelings are involved. But if I kiss, hug or hold hands with someone I’m in love with, that’s different. It’s all that matters. 


Are you saying I’m unattractive?


No, of course not. You’re attractive, okay. Beautiful even. Someone will fall in love with you. For sure. If they get to know you enough. It’s just not gonna be me. What I’m saying is, if I do all those things with just anyone, it’s meaningless. But the action plus the person, now that’s magical.


I didn’t know you were a hopeless romantic. What prompted these observations?

Is there someone you like?


Nah. There’s no one. It’s just an observation of the human condition. 

It’s funny. When I was into someone but I didn’t want to, I prayed and even begged God that those feelings will go away. But now that I have no one, I somehow feel empty and bored. Sometimes pain is better than boredom. How funny is that?
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