The lecture, titled " Meeting, Dating and Mating - 250 important questions to ask before you go further in a relationship" was brought to the student body by the Peer Education Team. The speaker, a relationships expert and educator, was an excellent choice. She was not only a great source of information, but as a former WABC talk radio show host and lecturer Ellen was a terrific communicator and entertainer.
At the beginning she made a very important point - without which a relationship is impossible - a positive attitude toward yourself. How can someone like you if you do not like yourself? Ellen also pointed out a few differences in preference of the relationship style and expectations between males and females. Have you noticed that men are complemented very infrequently? How often do men receive flowers from their companions or lovers? If you are a man and your girlfriend gave you flowers or surprised you pleasantly within the last few days, chances are she was in Ellen's audience last Thursday.
Ellen also answered questions given to her by the audience anonymously before the lecture. Her passion and enthusiasm towards the topic made her very convincing, and people seemed satisfied with her responses. Questions ranged from "how do I attract a man?" to "how do I dump someone nicely?". There was no question that Ellen could not answer. It is worth it to mention her great sense of humor which definitely helped her in answering even the most difficult question. To my favorite question of the night: " when is it a good time to start having sex with a partner?" Ellen replied "when he/she knows your mother's maiden name and where your grandmother was born". Getting to know someone before going to bed with him/her may be a good idea, (at least that is what Ellen says, such a decision is always up to you...)
Although there were no more than 80 people present, the night was a success. Students were able to listen to someone with experience and greater knowledge about sexuality, intimacy and other issues that they deal with on daily basis in relationships. They also had a good time.
Ellen, besides having fun (she is passionate about doing her job...), had a chance to advertise and sell her book and lecture - both available on tape.
If you are interested in one or the other (the same title as her Thursday lecture), this is the address you can write to and request a tape ($15 each, or with a discount if you buy two, plus costs of shipment):
Ellen Gootblatt
P.O. Box 241
Planetarium Station
New York, NY 10024
Give feedback: newspeak@wpi.wpi.edu