If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my vast cocktail party experience it’s that you shouldn’t ever admit to knowing the names of all the members of ‘NSync.
No matter how much the girl you’re talking to likes them, you’re a guy. You’re not supposed to listen to that kind of music.
It’s kind of like this: she may really like the dress she’s wearing, but if you wore it that would probably be a bad call… especially with those shoes, honey. I mean, please.
You may ask:
Doesn’t knowing the names of one of the world’s best selling bands illustrate a well-rounded knowledge of all music? Doesn’t it suggest you’re well-versed in contemporary popular culture? Doesn’t it show that you care about what’s going on in the world around you?
And I’d say:
No. It illustrates I listen to the same music as pre-teen girls. It suggests I spend time watching TRL instead of CNN. It shows that I know more about boy bands than about the state of affairs in the Middle East.
Can you name the current Israeli Prime Minister?
I can’t, but I do know Justin Timberlake may have to go to court because he allegedly verbally assaulted a fan. Say it ain’t so, Justin…
This kind of pop culture expertise might also earn you some clever nicknames such as “Boy Band Guy”; “Backdoor Boy”; or “Loser”.
So, remember this. Get her phone number BEFORE you reveal your encyclopedic ability to recall the songs on 98 Degrees’ special import album.
While you’re out, tell people you listen to the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and anything off the Motown label. You can even throw in a little DMB or Counting Crows to show that you’re “down” with the current rock scene. However, don’t actually say you’re “down”, and definitely don’t do the finger quotes thing.
Once you get home, and you’re alone in the privacy of your own room then you can do the dance to “Bye Bye Bye”.
Oh, like you all don’t know it…