Lessons from a cougar convention
So what is a cougar/singles night like? (For what we think of the term, check this out.) In summary: It's fun, not too serious, and if this one is any indication, full of cute guys. Here's what I learned:
1. When they say the men will outnumber the women…they're not kidding. The last time I experienced anything like this ratio of men to women (conservatively, 8:1) I believe I was having dinner at a Catholic monastery. And yes: They were a good-looking, buff, well-dressed bunch. I never saw a woman on the dance floor without several men dancing around her.
2. No one in Toronto comes out to a club before 10 pm. Don't believe the posted event time; if it's at a club, do not get there early. This event had speakers billed for 7:30, and it was too early – and those of us who have punctuality on the brain ended up waiting far too long for the party to start. If, like me, you've been more-or-less out of the club scene for over a decade, remind yourself that midnight is when the party really starts rocking.
3. There is no cougar dress code. Women were dressed all different ways at the event and they all looked hot. Come with your personality intact (no matter what your matchmaker says). You do not have to buy leopard prints and stiletto heels. If you do, though, expect to be photographed as the iconic image for the event.
4. DJing a cougar event is really hard. It was interesting to see some of the generation spread play itself out on the dance floor depending on the era of the song selected. A couple of the guys mentioned to me that they found it a nice change from the usual club fare; some of the women commented that they were reminded of university (in a good way). But Michael Jackson appears to truly be the king of pop (or at least dance.) Prince, not so much. (That's what he gets for giving up the Internet.)
(Photo: Alison Brown, Miss Cougar Canada, courtesy Alison Brown.)
Next page: What is it about cougars anyway?
