Party: a social gathering that includes refreshments and conversation

Per Nancy:
1. a social gathering that includes the above, plus gathering intelligence on which single guests are available — and which married ones are about to become so

2. a social gathering that makes people without partners:

• wish they were somewhere else — anywhere else
• truly sorry they dumped their spouses

Rejection: a refusal to accept something offered

Per Nancy:
1. an invitation to take a flying leap (can be issued anywhere from at first sight to years down the pike)

2. any form of public humiliation, put-down or abuse (all are bright-red flags)

The two main types of rejection are:

Nonverbal

• disappearing without a word
• disappearing during dinner, a conversation or in bed
• a look that lacks warmth
• a lack of interest in closeness
• a lock that's been changed
• rushing around collecting all the CDs, underwear or whatever else you left at his or her place

Verbal

• "It's not you, it's me"
• "I need space"
• "I need time"
• "I need a spreadsheet to figure this out"
• "I hope we can still be friends" (Ouch.)

Retread: to make over or try again

Per Nancy: trying once more because:

•  the other person is available again
•  the other person is still available
• after other dates and relationships, you've realized that, in the grand scheme of things, the other person isn't such a creep
• you've grown weary of the grand scheme of things

Space: an interval of time

Per Nancy:
1. an interval of time, preferably forever;

2. a living area for an ex, preferably in another state or on a different planet

Keeper: any person with whom you click, fit, wish to build a relationship and possibly even marry

Per Nancy: my second husband, Jonathan, whom I met online at 60 after decades of dating

Also of Interest

• How sex changes for men after 50
  
• 5 most commonly misdiagnosed conditions in the ICU
  

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