THE STATE OF AFFAIRS

The most glaring misconception about Hollywood is that it’s the romance capital of the world. The first thing you always notice about women in Hollywood (besides their low percentage of body fat) is how few are married. And the number of great-looking, successful, single women without a social life is staggering.

Those who harbor dreams of a nuclear family might consider: marry young and stay married, or date out of town. Social Darwinism stinks, but it’s better to face the reality that exists than to long for the ideal that doesn’t.

This is a place for woman to study business and learn to enjoy power, but fill your emotional needs elsewhere. The emerging power of women in Hollywood has coincided with the unraveling of the everyday social fabric. It has become increasingly difficult to discern whether someone’s interest in you is for business, or pleasure, or some cocktail encompassing both elements.

Here are some useful guidelines for women so they can tell whether they’ve been asked out on a date or a meeting:

1. If it’s lunch, it’s a meeting
2. If it’s dinner, it might be a date or a meeting, or both
3. If he orders a drink, it’s a date
4. If he doesn’t it’s a meeting (or else he’s in AA)

Remember, it’s always work, whether you mean it to be or not.