How to Date an Unemployed Person

Really, we must lay some ground rules. It's not easy for me either. It takes a lot of gumption to be really  honest about this life-altering substance.  I thought I'd pass along a few things to the rest of the world. Also, I just love lists.

1. Be nice. Really, really nice. For those of us who reached the pinnacle of our accidental careers by sheer determination, long hours and motivation to succeed, only to be tossed off like an insignificant insect (all prior to turning 29), this can be a great source of pain and agony. The higher the climb, the further the fall. We are few. We are proud. We are now unemployed. Be nice to us.
2. We are not losers. See above. We worked our asses off to get where we are....were. So why shouldn't we be entitled to time off for good, hard work?
3. Take us out. We used to go out in pretty dresses, beautified and sassy, ready to take on the dance floor, one high-heeled step at a time. Now we sit at home in our sweatpants, hair up in a pony tail and we shower mostly only on days we're going to see you. I don't want to sit at home and watch a movie. I have been doing that all day already. Give me a reason to get all dolled up and go dancing...just like when you met me.
4. Let me cook for you. I like equality and I'm sure you do too, when it comes to who's going to pay for dinner when we go out. But you know I'm not covering my expenses with my unemployment benefits. Please, please do not be offended if I don't offer to pay as often as I normally would if I were employed. Letting me cook for you is a way for me to show I'm willing to take care of you as much as you are for me; just in a different way. I will feel better knowing I can contribute in some small way to our eating habit.
5. Listen. Having 24 hours a day of pure, uninterrupted, unadulterated time to over-think and over-analyse ever bit of every thing gives me a lot to talk about. Not going in to an office to do challenging, personal-thought-discouraging work does not give me anyone to talk to. My friends listen, but I'd like you to listen too. I'm a nobody these days; let me know I'm important to you.
6. Be supportive. Just like in the movies where it takes a good supporting cast for the leading role to win Best Actor or Actress, I need you to support me so that I have the confidence to win that job when the opportunity of a life time finally comes along.

We are different people while we are unemployed. We feel down, sad, unmotivated and nothing could seem scarier than Prince Charming sweeping us off our feet when we are at our worst. But just think...if you like me when I'm at my lowest, how great it will be when I'm at my best.