A lively debate on modern dating etiquette has erupted in the Guardian's letters pages, with readers directly challenging the views of professor and commentator Scott Galloway.
Dating Dinosaurs and Financial Independence
In a recent interview published on 3 December, Scott Galloway suggested that "a woman is not going to have sex with a man who splits the bill with her." This assertion has been met with fierce criticism from readers. Janet Tomlinson from Andover, Hampshire, led the charge, branding Galloway a "dinosaur" who needs to "move on."
Tomlinson presented a counter-view that champions female autonomy. "Some of us wouldn't want to have sex with a man who doesn't want to recognise a woman's independence – personal and financial – but wants to pay for them," she wrote. She argued that an insistence on paying can be a turn-off, signalling an unwillingness to acknowledge a partner's equality. Her letter concluded with a stark warning for young men: "The more money a man has, the less attractive he often becomes."
Finding Solace in Silent Community
In a poignant shift of topic, another reader responded to a personal story about grief and community. Christine Hayes from Wokingham, Berkshire, wrote in regarding Robin Craig's piece, "A moment that changed me: My unbearable grief kept growing – until I found solace in a silent community," also published on 3 December.
Hayes, a lifelong Quaker, expressed her gladness that Craig had discovered the Quaker community and found its "deep peace" helpful during bereavement. She highlighted a favourite piece of guidance from the Quaker "Advices and Queries": "Live adventurously." Hayes credited being a Guardian reader with helping her fulfil that advice.
Britain's Quirky and Inaptly Named Places
The correspondence also featured the Guardian readers' perennial fascination with unusual British toponyms. Following a letter about No Place in County Durham, Bridget Cuthbertson of Hexham suggested disgruntled residents might move to Pity Me or Quaking Houses, also in Durham.
Ian Elkington from Bicester, Oxfordshire, however, believed he had the definitive entry for inaptly named locations: "Titty Ho in Raunds, Northamptonshire. End of discussion!" Meanwhile, in a final brief contribution, Kevin Bannon of Broadstairs, Kent, nominated the film "The Maggie" for a discussion on movies set on boats.
The Guardian's letters section continues to provide a platform for diverse public opinion, from challenging social commentators on evolving dating norms to sharing personal spiritual journeys and celebrating the UK's eccentric geography.
