S01.E03: Find Me a Find

[Geeky GenXer]

Quote

Harold's matchmaker sets him up with his dream woman; Stanika has high hopes on her first date ever; Juan forces Nathaly outside of her comfort zone; Mark worries about finding love amid Morocco's conservative laws.

TLC: 5/28/23
 

[Quof]

Tour of a spice market in Morocco? Yes, please.

[Red Bridey]

Stanika has the right attitude and her match has promise. Miss Sri Lanka (don't know her name yet, sorry) is way too immature for this project. She needs to "work on herself, babe" before she gets hitched. Harold, well, he is giving it the old college try. Susan, Susan, Susan. Ugh, she will NEVER EVER give a man even half the attention and affection she gives to that bundle of fur. She is a lost cause.

[DEL901]

6 hours ago, Red Bridey said:

Susan, Susan, Susan. Ugh, she will NEVER EVER give a man even half the attention and affection she gives to that bundle of fur. She is a lost cause.

The pup will be especially problematic since she is looking for love in another culture that may not look at pets the same way.  

[seacliffsal]

Okay, I'm caught up.  What's interesting about this show is the use of professional matchmakers (I am accepting that they are such).  It seems they have a pretty common practice of giving their client their checklist on the first date but then plan to match them with 'what they need' on the second date.  We'll see how that goes.  My heart is with Harold, but I am hesitant about his participation on this show-I know he's an able adult but I'm afraid that he will have his heart broken and be mercilessly ridiculed on social media (I am all about criticizing the participants on reality t.v. but I worry for those who don't understand social cues as well as others).

[jnymph]

On 5/30/2023 at 11:16 AM, seacliffsal said:

-I know he's an able adult but I'm afraid that he will have his heart broken and be mercilessly ridiculed on social media (I am all about criticizing the participants on reality t.v. but I worry for those who don't understand social cues as well as others).

I agree, I thought about this as well. Seems wrong and maybe exploitative. 

[endure]

On 5/30/2023 at 8:16 AM, seacliffsal said:

Okay, I'm caught up.  What's interesting about this show is the use of professional matchmakers (I am accepting that they are such).  It seems they have a pretty common practice of giving their client their checklist on the first date but then plan to match them with 'what they need' on the second date.  We'll see how that goes.  My heart is with Harold, but I am hesitant about his participation on this show-I know he's an able adult but I'm afraid that he will have his heart broken and be mercilessly ridiculed on social media (I am all about criticizing the participants on reality t.v. but I worry for those who don't understand social cues as well as others).

Several years ago there was a dating show from the UK called The Undateables (I think?).... it was really good and all about people with issues or disabilities.  Howard would be perfect that show.  He is genuinely sweet and so wants to please, I hope he finds someone.

[endure]

So typical of these reality shows and showing Americans as so totally uninformed, uneducated re other cultures, the guy arriving in Morocco to find a wife has no clue about the country, the culture, the religion?  Same with the Sri Lankan young woman arriving in Columbia, was she expecting everyone to speak English, and did she really think her high school Spanish would suddenly make her bilingual enough?  She seems way too timid and inexperienced to even leave her mother to do this.

Not sure I like the Columbian matchmaker so far, he seems to make too many judgement calls.  Susans first date was way too much but I felt like he thinks Susan is, which she may be but he didn't listen to her or believe her.  He needs to realise she employs him for this service..... argh.

Edited June 2, 2023 by endure

[Chalby]

On 6/1/2023 at 5:47 PM, endure said:

Several years ago there was a dating show from the UK called The Undateables (I think?).... it was really good and all about people with issues or disabilities.  Howard would be perfect that show.  He is genuinely sweet and so wants to please, I hope he finds someone.

I actually enjoyed that show. I was hoping this show would be similar in format, but i believe its becoming harder to find applicants who have genuine intentions.

Edited June 3, 2023 by Chalby

[Chalby]

On 6/1/2023 at 6:01 PM, endure said:

 Same with the Sri Lankan young woman arriving in Columbia, was she expecting everyone to speak English, and did she really think her high school Spanish would suddenly make her bilingual enough?

At least she had some spanish. I'm over watching English-only speaking people, expecting to be catered to (in english) while they travel the world looking for future mates.

[LennieBriscoe]

On 5/29/2023 at 6:18 AM, Quof said:

Tour of a spice market in Morocco? Yes, please.

I did something similar in Fez: a guided visit to the leather-tanning vats! Moroccan leather is the real deal! 

But find a spouse there? Um, no. 

I've avoided all the limitless permutations, continuations, repeats, and pillow-talks of the "90 Day Fiance" franchise---until now!

"Match Me Abroad" has a different style: no Internet shenanigans of a Maria or a Willums going MIA, e.g.; no No-Gos, like the snarky but effeminate Teem; no Grangela cake-throwers and uterus-carriers; etc. Just good old-fashioned match-making! So far!

Best line to date: "I don't like men in flowers." But that's Harold, baby! Back in the day I'd have taken Jack Lord in a Hawaiian flowered shirt in a trice!

Alas, Harold's autism revelation has tamped down the snark factor and raised the sympathy view 10-fold. I don't watch these shows for that. 

 

Edited June 3, 2023 by LennieBriscoe

[LennieBriscoe]

On 5/29/2023 at 3:33 PM, Red Bridey said:

Stanika has the right attitude and her match has promise. Miss Sri Lanka (don't know her name yet, sorry) is way too immature for this project. She needs to "work on herself, babe" before she gets hitched. Harold, well, he is giving it the old college try. Susan, Susan, Susan. Ugh, she will NEVER EVER give a man even half the attention and affection she gives to that bundle of fur. She is a lost cause.

Gotta love a Darcey's Jesse reference! 

As for attention to pets: The owners are all the same, every Reality Romance show! "I have two dogs that sleep with me." "I'm allergic to cats." "Well, I have three cats!" "I have 12 dogs; I'm a breeder!" Etc. Man, woman, matters not; each loves his or her pet to dayeth! 

[mytmo]

Stanika is the only one that seems to be open and willing to experience another culture and looks like she is having a good time and I'm glad she is taking us along.  Major props for trying the goat head.  I also like how she dresses so far.  

Harold (yes I know he is autistic) at least admitted he is looking for Barbie and that he is not Ken.  He could at least try but like every one else, he wants a subservient model but brings nothing to the table.  He lies about his height.  He lies about working out.  He dresses like he is about to host a children's show.  There are comfortable clothes that are stylish too.  I'm sure a perfectly lovely non-Barbie would love to date him if he gave her a chance.

Speaking of subservient, here comes Mark acting all surprised that the culture that encourages submissive women would be restrictive in how they act in public.  And to be surprised he would be the main provider?  Another one that believes he is above any cultural practices.

Susan was set up with her male version.  She is picking a partner like she is picking out lunch on the menu.  I was picky like that in my teens but learned later that love doesn't work like that.  She should've figured that out 30 years ago. 

[LennieBriscoe]

Harold also needs a different  haircut to go with his new white shirt. And when he said that some women wanted him just for sex? 🤣🤣🫣

Mark seems to want someone to help with his expenses. 

I don't  think Susan is attractive. 

 

Edited June 5, 2023 by LennieBriscoe

[Stuckathome]

On 6/5/2023 at 9:46 AM, mytmo said:

Speaking of subservient, here comes Mark acting all surprised that the culture that encourages submissive women would be restrictive in how they act in public.  And to be surprised he would be the main provider?  Another one that believes he is above any cultural practices.

Someone else mentioned this and I think that person hit the nail on the head....Mark is a wanna be sex tourist. Wanna be because he is a moron. He probably saw the casting call for this show and thought it would be sort of a "bachelor abroad" type where he would get to "try out" the local women under guise of searching for a wife. Of the people featured so far he is the one I have the least faith will get anything out of this experience in terms of a match or even just personal growth. I loved that his matchmaker (forget her name) called it in her talking head---he is a 44 year old frat boy. and I LOL'd when she said she grew up in NJ and knew his type exactly. 

One take away for me from this show has been how two people in the same exact situation have totally different impressions of what actually happened. Susan's guy did keep cutting her off mid sentence/midword and yet he boasted how he listened to her and let her talk to get to know her 🤪 And Harold.....that date was awkward as hell. He was so excited that she didnt' jump out of the paddle boat in the middle of the water that he took that to mean it went well and they had a connection. At least she was polite enough to let him down easy. I sort of liked her line about well if I want to see you again, I will find you. 

[Chalby]

On 6/6/2023 at 8:00 AM, Stuckathome said:

 

🤪nd Harold.....that date was awkward as hell. He was so excited that she didnt' jump out of the paddle boat in the middle of the water that he took that to mean it went well and they had a connection. At least she was polite enough to let him down easy. I sort of liked her line about well if I want to see you again, I will find you. 

I am assuming Harold has Asperger's given his relatively high functioning abilities. I remember someone mentioning we should to be easier on him due to his autism. I had to chuckle as I've taught all sorts of students on the autism spectrum, and during the last decade, it seemed I was receiving two pupils a year, instead of one every three years. With a better understanding, we now can recognize those who, in the 80s or 90s, (and earlier) were seen as smart and "weird" or "off".

One thing I will remember is how attached I get to my "kids" and I often cry during the last week of school. The kids who have to be reminded to wave, then turn around and go, "Okay, bye" are usually the autistic ones.

Asperger's can cause sensitivity to noises, lights, but they are generally goal orientated and often don't catch the nuances of social interactions. Heck, some parents had to console me while explaining that in their child's mind, I served my purpose well, and it's time to move on.

So whenever someone tiptoes around language, so as not to offend, anyone with autism, I think of my June farewells. lol. Someone needs to match them equally or warn the potential mate that certain truths will be pointed out and not gently.

[Stuckathome]

On 6/11/2023 at 2:37 AM, Chalby said:

Someone needs to match them equally or warn the potential mate that certain truths will be pointed out and not gently.

I feel like his matchmaker sort of gets it---when she said "you need a makeover. that would work in Hawaii, not Prague." 🤪

[Toaster Strudel]

Raise your had if you'd let a 28 year old be your matchmaker.