"DATING Games Men Play" and "DATING Games Women Play" are the working titles of two book projects being researched by Steve White, a journalist in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The list is a forum for discussion of the topics covered by the books I intend to write.

I've lately been impressed with the variety of games that both women and men play in dating or social contact situations. There's the Big White Hat -- the guy who attempts to impress a woman he's met with his purity and egalitarian attitudes -- but it's a front, and a careful listener knows it's mostly bull. The Big Black Hat emphasizes how "bad" he is -- a renegade, a bad boy, a dangerous dude who hopes that his air of mystery and independence of normal values makes him seem sexy and manly. On the women's side, there's the Coquette, the Lolita, the Fashion Rack, the Golddigger, and others.

What are your experiences with these games? Have you played them? (Sure you have.) Have you been played? (Sure you have.) Share your experiences with the members of the list, and invite others to participate. All meaningful discussion of the topic will be permitted and appreciated. List members will be banned, however, for distributing spam, harrassment, hateful or racist communication, and lurking.

Please be aware that by joining this list you are agreeing to have your experiences included in the book(s), although you have the choice to remain anonymous. You may choose to be mentioned in the acknowledgements page of the book(s), if your anecdotes are used.

Please feel free to e-mail the moderator about any questions or issues that may arise.

Have fun, and thank-you for your participation!