Who's Doing Who?

Bar etiquette in the age of serial dating

I have been in New York a week and this is my first date. I'm dressed low key as it's my first date in a few years but I'm equally nervous and nonchalant. So maybe that's why I don't initially notice but about half way through the welcoming glass of something cold, white and dry, I realise what's happening in the bar.

Am I imagining it? The petite brunette in the high boots is with the all-American blue-jeaned boy but is checking out the Wall Street type at the bar. The tall tousled blonde with her sparkly attired friend is chatting to the warm and friendly guy but gazing over his head at the three seemingly up-for-it college kids whose volume has just got louder with their second round of drinks. Everyone is looking at everyone else. Is this a New York phenomenon or is this the state of dating globally? Is everyone so scared of missing out that they are not allowing themselves the luxury of time to get to know the person they are with before they cast them back out to sea with the mere hint of someone potentially superior coming along?

Internet dating may be partly to blame here as it's all too easy now to serial date. I know a 30-year-old who habitually arranges two dates on the same evening, so as to not waste the time invested in both getting ready and travelling into the city. Fair enough, I must be looking around to notice but in my defence, this is all new to me and I'm on a casual first date! What is it about human nature that makes us look for the next big thing rather than enjoying the current best thing?