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Dining and Dating
Martha's Dream Date

We join John and Martha at Londostes restaurant. They have kindly agreed to tell us some more about dining out, chemistry and sims bearing grudges plus they have some special news.

John - Hello, you've found us just as we are finishing dinner. We did have a detour, which you can see on the left. I must say that Londoste is a very classy restaurant and the perfect place to come for the climax of this date. There are a few restaurants and diners Downtown but this was the one that seemed most suitable. I suppose I am quite old fashioned in that I would have liked there to have been a pianist or a violinist to give us relaxing music while we eat. I suppose I should be grateful that Maxis didn't give us a Mariachi Band. That would have distracted from the moment.

Martha - I'm the happiest woman in the simnation. John sprung a surprise engagement on me and I accepted.
John - Tell the viewers about the restaurant, dear.
Martha - Yes, indeed. Although the chefs do not appear to have used any of my ingredients or followed any of my recipes, this meal was of very high quality and I have enjoyed tonight so very much indeed.
John - We will be paying the bill before we leave. I don't know the Host or Server well enough to get away with paying the bill. We could do a runner but I do not wish to get caught. I am rather distinctive and people do seem to remember me.
Martha - Especially if you do your silly walk.
John - Martha dear, I have not done my silly walk since Python days and despite you being my fiancée, I am not going to do it for you. Anyway, I am digressing. Tell the viewers more about dining out.

Dining Protocols

Martha - Certainly. We arrived at the restaurant. We did make a detour. John was very attentive to my needs and we needed something that required a little bit of privacy. However, we did come back. John spoke to the Host, who was stood at her podium. Some places have counters as well as tables to eat at and you tell the Host where you would like to be seated. John ordered for both of us. Surprisingly, he did seem to know what I wanted. He must have read my thoughts. The service was very quick and fortunately, the Server did not spill out meals over either of us. I have heard of that happening. John asked a lot about what I was interested in. Although he may not have known much about those subjects, he did try and talk about those things. I wonder if he will be reading up on it before we next go out. I thought that was very considerate of him. We toasted each other and so far, we've had a wonderful date. John dear, will you stop scoping the room?

John - Sorry. I was just trying it out so I can tell the viewers something about chemistry.
Martha - I believe you. I don't know who else will.

Scoping and Chemistry

John - Scoping is a new self-click interaction where you can literally scope the room to find if there is anyone of your preferred gender who attracts you. They positively glow if they meet a sim's turn ons. Once you check someone out, you will find if there is a chemistry between you. Human chemistry is based on a mixture of compatible starsigns, aspirations and TO/Os. Also, existing relationship levels do have a positive or negative effect. Martha and I do have good chemistry.
Martha - Yes indeed. It only means you've grown on me, John, but yes, it does help.
John - You may have bad chemistry with someone but this does not mean a relationship is doomed. It just means that it is harder to get a relationship to go anywhere.
Martha - If there is positive chemistry between two sims, it means that some interactions become available a lot earlier than normally. This is pointed out with these interactions being displayed with a lightning bolt next to them. If two people click, they do tend to get to know each other and like each other more quickly.

John - It doesn't mean if you try one of these new interactions that it will be accepted, though. Also, relationships can go the other way. If you get someone angry with you, they don't forget in a hurry. Sim people do bear grudges. For instance, if your house is burgled, you will certainly have a negative reaction to the burglar if you meet him or her again. If your spouse or partner is being unfaithful and you catch them, you certainly will not forget in a hurry. Before, your relationship just suffered a lot but you were fairly neutral to them. Now, you're definitely going to be really peeved with them and even quite hostile. People do indeed bear grudges. For instance, I have it on good authority that Alyssa is furious with Andy from TSZ. Not sure why, though. Personally, I quite like the chap.
Martha - John, you're digressing again. This fury does not last forever. It can decay in time and be accelerated with a few well placed apologies. However, the fury can also be fuelled. Effectively, it is the opposite of attraction.
John - I thought opposites attracted.
Martha - Not in the simworld, John.

Written at 04:38 on Saturday 24 September 2005 by Andy.

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