Derek Sivers shares a story about his shortest date and how a conversation about the origin of ketchup confirmed his decision to end the date.
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Quick takeaways
Red flags in a potential partner's behavior should not be ignored when deciding whether to continue a date.
Curiosity and a willingness to explore new things are essential for uncovering fascinating facts.
Deep dives
A Disappointing First Impression
I matched with someone named Kelly for a date in New York City. She had a miserable voice and did not know basic directions in the city. When I asked for her last name, she refused, citing safety concerns. These red flags made me question whether I wanted to continue the date.
The Power of Curiosity
During the short and unpleasant date, I asked Kelly about the origin of the word 'ketchup.' She showed no curiosity and dismissed the question. This lack of willingness to engage in wonder and explore new things confirmed my decision to end the date. Years later, while reading a book about Indonesian history, I discovered that 'ketchup' is the only English word derived from Indonesian. This revelation further justified my choice to leave the date and highlighted the importance of curiosity in uncovering fascinating facts.