Theory Written by: Alice Wei Lee
**based on her own personal experience**
Upon Jessica's request, I am going to write a proposal for her and everyone else about one of the most fundamental and most frequently used date inducing schemes in the history of gaming. I am NO expert on game theory by any means, but even someone completely dense and devoid of understanding the dating game would undoubtedly be able to recognize the "guy-girl wager" as the all-time classic approach to 1) flirting and 2) scoring a date.
Before I proceed on with the proposal, I would like you to reflect back upon a time when you participated in a little "wager" with the opposite sex. If you cannot think of an incident, THINK HARDER, because every single person out there (YES, that means YOU!) has in one time or another been a participant in this ploy either as the victim or the victimizer. Now ask yourself this: was the wager just an innocent and casual gesture? Was the payment of the wager small and harmless? More specifically, did the payment involve you, the opposite sex and a cup of boba or coffee??? If you answered yes to two or more of the questions above, which is more likely than not, then you have been involved in the "guy-girl wager" game. This thereby leads to my first point that this tactic is used more commonly than most people are aware of. In fact, because of its outward innocent mask and its inner concealed EVIL, it most often times slides past undetected as a dating scheme.
Here's a scenario; do not be alarmed if it freakishly mirrors an experience you've had in your own life. Remember my first point, this game is very common!
Victimizer: So how about those *blank*? (fills in sports team A)
Victim: I guess they're okay. I heard they've been on a complete losing streak this season.
Victimizer: Yeah they have. But I think they're going to beat *blank* (fill in sports team B, a team who has the best winning record of the season so far) in the game next week.
Victim: What??!!! Shut up??!! There is just no way!
Victimizer: Uh huh
Victim: Nuh uh
Victimizer: HOw about this, if *team A* beats *team B*, then you buy me boba. If *team B* beats *team A*, then I buy you boba.
Victim: Okay, you're on.
The victim is now thinking: Wow, there is just no way he/she will win. I am so smart for making this wager, I am in for a free cup of boba next week! What a sucker!
The victimizer is now thinking: Wow, there is just no way I can win. I am so smart for making this wager, I've just scored more time with him/her next week! What a sucker!
This is ultimately a win-win situation for the victimizer. Not only has he/she successfully flirted for the last 10 minutes leading up to the wager, but he/she has secured a second meeting and hang out time in the near future. This, this leads to my second point that wagering is, by far, the most successful dating scheme anyone can possibly concoct and carry out. The combination of the simplicity of the wagering concept and the innocence of its execution makes the wagering game completely and utterly infallible. If you are blushing right now because you finally realize that you have unknowingly been or are currently involved in a wager, then shame on you for not knowing one of the most basic games of life! If you are smirking or feeling like you are the Albert Einstein of dating right now, then shame on you for preying on oblivious victims! Although this may sound like an extreme analysis of an innocent wager, just remember this, before you step out the door to Tapioca Express or Lollicup to redeem your payment, ask yourself if you can see yourself with that person for the next five years because that just may be the case!!
