Columnist Liz Jones has detailed her reservations about a potential date with a millionaire, using the experience to explore broader themes of wealth, self-esteem, and modern dating expectations.
Jones recounted an invitation to lunch at the exclusive Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire, an establishment accessible only to members and hotel guests. Her initial inquiry about train access was met with an offer to arrange an overnight stay or information on membership, rather than a direct answer regarding public transport accessibility.
The purpose of the lunch, Jones explained, was for a friend to introduce her to a wealthy individual. Despite acknowledging that the potential date was not her usual physical type, she considered the possibility, referencing a past tendency to date men with less financial standing due to what she described as a lack of self-esteem. This pattern, she suggested, gave her a sense of power in relationships.
As she has aged, Jones noted a shift in this mindset. She observed women at a recent wedding whose appearance and professions she deemed unexceptional, prompting a feeling of despair and a question about why she lacked a powerful husband. This reflection contrasted with her own spending on personal preparation for dates.
Jones described her planned attire for the lunch, including a vintage Prada skirt and a new sweater, and mentioned a recent trend of carrying essentials in hand rather than a handbag to appear younger. She also referenced a piece by a New York woman who reportedly expects dates to cover all transportation, including sending a car. Jones shared a personal anecdote where she paid for a date's dinner and then booked him an Uber home, only to find she could not book one for herself immediately after.
She touched upon a backlash regarding women with high expectations for dates, while also highlighting the significant expenses single women incur for date preparation, citing over £200 spent on beauty treatments and hair for a wedding, even though she was not the bride. She concluded that such expenditures are a matter of self-respect.
Ultimately, Jones communicated to her friend that if the millionaire wished to meet, there would be a 15-mile exclusion zone, implying a preference to stay home if the meeting was not facilitated on her terms.
In a separate commentary, Jones expressed frustration with BBC Radio 4's 'Woman's Hour,' feeling that the program focuses excessively on problems faced by women. She cited a segment on ADHD and menstruation and a comment about the low number of women in high government offices as examples of what she perceives as constant complaining.