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Click here to read this week’s column. Suddenly my aversion to grocery stores will make sense.

Twilight Concerts at the Gallivan Center are one of my favorite summertime activities–well that and retreating to anywhere with air conditioning.

Apparently I’m not the only one who loves spending Thursday evenings at the concerts.  Last Thursday I think the entire city showed up; including everyone I’ve ever dated—this may or may not be an exaggeration. It’s an odd feeling looking into the sea of faces realizing you’ve kissed, at one time or another, a lot of those faces.  More faces than I’d be willing to admit to my mother. 

I’ve never considered myself a slut.  I’m 31 and single, so I’ve dated a lot.  To me this seems quite normal, but to others it may not.  For example a woman approached me at the grocery store a few weeks ago and felt the need to call me a “slut” and “bad example for her teenaged daughters.”  I smiled nicely and thanked her for her feedback.  I wish I had the guts to say what was on my mind.  No, not “screw off” but rather that I’ve never considered myself a good example for anyone– other than what not to do.  I should have pointed out that my column is not intended for children but for 20 something hipsters in the city.  Perhaps there is some neglectful or bad parenting on her part by letting her 13-year-old daughter read the dating escapades of an adult.  Whatever.

I thought I’d moved past this horrid women’s words, but standing at the concert seeing so many men that I’ve dated over the years brought her words to the front of my mind.

Am I a slut?  I’ve been dating for 15 years now.  What if I hadn’t come from a Mormon household where my parents didn’t allow me to date until I was 16, then what?  I’d have reached whore status by now?

Urban Dictionary defines slut as “a woman with morals of a man.”  When I read it, I couldn’t help but laugh, but then a sobering thought came over me: it’s true.  Had my brother looked into the crowd at the concert and pointed out to a friend all the women he’d dated, his friend would most likely congratulate him.  I’d even be willing to bet the grocery store lady would write it off as a young kid sowing his wild oats assuming it was just a stage he’d outgrow. So why are my dating practices being frowned upon?

I can’t help but wonder if this happens to women outside of Utah.  I doubt they’re held to such high standards. I don’t understand how I’m supposed to meet a nice man and settle down if I’m not out there dating.  See the conundrum?

It’s a lot to think about.  I tried my best to ignore my newly found dating insecurities, and enjoy the rest of my night.  Waiting in line for a drink I couldn’t help but cross my fingers hoping not to run into anyone wanting to accuse me of being a poor role model. 

Had I not been on the lookout for Mrs. Grocery Store I’d probably not have noticed The Yuppie going out of his way to avoid me.  Yep, he took the long way around the plaza.  It wouldn’t be an evening out without some sort of drama.