Why "meeting" people at a bar is an oxymoron

Hitting on girls. There are few things more antonymous (whoo, big word that means opposite) to my being, persona, or general vibe than hitting on strangers. I feels synonymous (the antonym of antonymous) to going to an airport to buy a plane ticket, but when the plane ticket sales representative asks where you want to go or on what carrier, you simply respond, "Any plane with orange paint on the tail." What? How unimportant. That's how I feel hitting on strangers. Don't get me wrong, I'm no advocate of arranged marriages or Joshua Harris style "I kissed dating goodbye" and I'm going to court an Amish girl until the town elders bless our friendship... but at the same time, I just don't get the bar scene or how you can "meet" someone there.

So my friend and I decided to expand my horizon this weekend and attempt something I've never tried... getting a strangers number. I know I'm capable of the task but the question is, do I even WANT to get a strangers number? Sure. I thought about getting some Axe Body Spray because apparently you have to beat away the girls (and their moms) if you wear that stuff, but I went for something a little more... subtle - cologne, my fav shirt, some fabulous shoes (which couldn't matter less in a bar by the way), and my Judging Ronald business cards - proof that I play in a band and am therefore cool, right? We went to our favorite locale and after a quarter gallon of liquid courage my mojo was ready to fly.

I went and danced with a few girls and my perplexity of bar-meeting was reinforced 10 fold. Here are two conversations I had new strangers (of course now we're good friends):

her: Nice dancing with you

Me: You too

-that was the whole conversation, I guess we're compatible. Here's another convo:

Me: What's that?

Her: Vodka Redbull

... a few minutes go by

Me: Look, that guys not wearing a shirt and that girl's literally doing the splits, what is that?

... I don't think she heard me, a few min. go by

Her: Bla bla blakdudf

Me: What?

Her: Bla bla bla muboo click dig?

Me: Huh?

Her: blou gatter!

...then she followed her friend to the bathroom and my ride left right after. Sadly enough I got to know her best out of anyone. As far as I can tell we have the following things in common: We were both at the bar, we both liked her dress (I assume she liked it since she wore it), um... we both knew I was the coolest guy there, we were both at the bar, we both knew what she was drinking, we were both at the bar, and... uh.. that might be it. Am I missing something? Why does anyone do that? I guess my problem really isn't asking out strangers because I really wouldn't have a problem with that assuming I actually talked to them first and found some common interest and chemistry but according to me that's not possible on a noisy dance floor.

I donno. I'm definitely no expert on dating; in fact I'd be the first to admit that it completely confuses me. All I know is that I'm single and don't mind it. I'm happily enjoying my freedom. I'd probably rather be in a relationship, but it would have to be with a pretty cool girl in order for it to be better than singledom. One of the few things I get about dating (or not dating) is that you have to be ok with being single. If not, you'll settle for getting into a bad relationship just because it's better than being single or you won't end a relationship that's less than good because you can't stand the thought of being single. Bad bad bad. I learned my lesson, it's back to meeting people through friends or in the produce aisle ;)


P.S. if you're the vodka redbull girl, give me a call! Jk.