I learned in Mr. Klinenberg’s latest book Going Solo:The Extraordinary Rise and Surprising Appeal of Living Alone hot off The Penguin Press presses, that in 1950, the year I was born, only 22% of American adults were single.
Today, that percentage is 50% and in real numbers, it translates to 31 million people. I wondered if they’re lonely, but who has the time to interview 31 million people? The author conducted 300 interviews which is far less ambitious but the publisher probably gave him a deadline.
Eric Klinenberg also tells us that approximately one out of every seven adults live alone. This statistic does not include many of my married friends who envy me and wish they lived alone.
For the right price, I will name names. Wait, so sorry about that. I’m not here to blackmail anyone or talk about the advantages and disadvantages of sharing a house with no one. I just want to let you know about this fascinating book so that maybe people will stop giving me that “poor widow you” look when I tell them I live by myself with my dog.
According to Going Solo, I am part of a fast growing trend like shoulder pads was in the ‘80’s. Living alone takes some getting used to, but it is a Godsend for those who only have one bathroom.
I brought up God here because for those who live by themselves and believe that God is always with them – I’m thinking they do in fact, have a roommate. Unfortunately, you can’t split the rent with God or ask him/her to take out the garbage.
The same could be said for lots of deadbeats, not that I’m calling God a deadbeat, although, he/she has let us down these past few hundred years what with the wars and starving children and incurable diseases and all.
On the other hand, we must give him/her kudos for his/her discovery of the Brazilian Hair Straightening treatment. There you go. It all evens out in the wash.
Please take a moment from your busy day, zip over to Amazon, and check out Going Solo. I was able to read the entire book in two sittings mainly because I live alone and had no one yelling to me,
“Can you get me a glass of ice water?”
“I’m looking at the bill from Bloomingdales. You’re kidding me, right?”
“I noticed a little dent on the car. Do you know anything about that?”
“Ouch. I think I got a splinter. Is this a splinter? Owwwww!”
“I can’t find my glasses. Let me borrow yours for a sec…”
“What happened to my nail clipper?”
“After dinner let’s take a ride to visit my mother, okay?”
“When are you coming to bed?”