http://www.scenesouth.co.uk/_images/misc/headers/single.jpg From: Julian Robinson
To: Sally Churchward
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 2:40 PM
Christmas and New Year – it’s coming up to party season; plenty of rum-laced eggnog and mistletoe. Sounds like fun, but here’s my dilemma – are these festive shenanigans good opportunities to meet someone? Or are they depressing reminders of another single year to come?

From: Sally Churchward
To: Julian Robinson
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 2.51 PM
It depends on the gathering, or whether or not the invite includes “plus ones”. A do where everyone is flying solo, even if they are in a couple, shouldn’t be depressing – it should be a great chance to enjoy singledom. But if you’re at a party where everyone is starting their sentences with the word “we”, you’d be advised to get out sharpish before you drown your sorrows in mulled wine and do something you’ll regret.

From: Julian Robinson
To: Sally Churchward
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 3.01 PM
Personally, I like to drown my sorrows before getting out sharpish – at least that way I get my money’s worth. I wonder what it was like in the 1980s when “plus one” was merely code for a wifeswapping fondue party? Probably not that great.
I’ve had fun at Christmas parties in the past, but have never seen eye-to-eye with New Year’s Eve. The pressure of being single is never more intense than during the countdown to midnight..

From: Sally Churchward
To: Julian Robinson
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 3.06 PM
Wow, the 80s sound interesting! I’m with you on the New Year’s Eve front. Do you try to have some forced “fun” and lunge at the nearest single person for a midnight snog or sit on your own and feel sorry for yourself as you share midnight with Jools Holland on the telly? It’s probably best to plan something low-key. I’ve got my sister coming to stay this year. At least if there’s someone else involved it feels like you’re choosing what you do.

From: Julian Robinson
To: Sally Churchward
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 3.10 PM
Beat this for a singleton’s tale of woe. One New Year’s Eve, I was meant to meet up with friends but the club they were in was rammed and I couldn’t get in. So I went to meet my sister at another bar... but had the same problem. Walking home at 11.59pm, it started to rain and, as the clock struck midnight, I slipped off the pavement and twisted my ankle. From the puddle I was sitting in, I could see dozens of couples happily seeing in 1998 to the sound of Wham! I hobbled home, went to bed and listened to Wogan on BBC2. Glad I could share that with you.