Gotta - it's not that sad, It was casual (so she kept telling), I'm of the impression that you have one life so make it as easy and stress free as possible. It would have been easier if she was just straightforward and honest. Rather than saying one thing and demanding something completely different.
I classify myself as being open to a relationship, I don't need one, it's not my goal. I find that some people are so focused on having a relationship that they try and crowbar someone in to one. How can I say "I want a relationship" or "looking to find someone to marry", when I haven't met the women out there.
I don't agree that there are that bigger differences between men and women, not on a physiological level, I think maybe some people will comply and indulge in stereotypes and socialisation. I think there is as much variation between different men as there is between men and women. I think there are more women on this thread because the vast majority of subscribers are women on MN. Also, socialised factors like men should talk about feelings, society has led people to believe that marriage/monogamous relationships are the norm (you could easily put those norms in the same list as 'it's normal for women to wear high heals') where do these pressures really come from. It's complete socialisation.
So, I feel if I take these pressures for what they are then dating is very easy and fun. It's interesting.
Obviously, there are different pressures on women that want to have children. But society has been structured to follow a path to having kids. Monogamous relationship/marriage/children(then half the time divorce). If society was set up where children are had between friends for example, then that would be the 'norm'.
Another stumbling block is society is set up where women choose career vs child. This in a parallel universe could be very different.
Sorry for the ramble(most of it is probably nonsensical)