Romance Without the Riddle: Why Directness Wins

I treat my personal life the same way I treat my business: I look for efficiency, clear communication, and a solid return on investment. That might sound cold to some people, but when you’re running a logistics firm and working 70-hour weeks, you don’t have time for ambiguity. For years, dating felt like trying to solve a puzzle where the rules changed every five minutes. I’d go on dates, try to make "normal" small talk, and exhaust myself trying to read between the lines. Was she bored? Was I talking too much about supply chain management? Why did she say "maybe" when she meant "no"? It was a massive drain on my energy. I value directness. If I’m hungry, I eat. If I like you, I say it. The neurotypical dance of courtship just didn’t compute for me. I realized I needed to change my sourcing strategy. In business, if you need a specific component, you don't go to a general store; you go to a specialist. I started looking for partners who operated on a similar wavelength—people who appreciate structure, honesty, and maybe hate loud, crowded bars as much as I do. I actually stumbled across some interesting data on niche dating pools. I was reading through https://www.sofiadate.com/type-dating/dating-sites-for-autism and it clicked. The logic is sound: why fish in the entire ocean when you can go to a pond stocked with the specific type of connection you’re looking for? It’s about filtering for compatibility right from the start rather than discovering incompatibility three months in. So, I adjusted my approach. I stopped trying to be "charming" in the conventional sense and started being upfront about my needs. "I prefer quiet venues," "I need clear confirmation on plans," and "I’m not great at guessing how you feel, so please tell me." The result? I met Elena. She’s a data analyst. Our first date wasn't a vague "let's hang out." It was a scheduled dinner at a quiet bistro at 7:00 PM. She arrived at 6:58 PM. We skipped the weather chat and went straight to discussing market volatility and our shared interest in vintage watches. There was no game. No "wait three days to call." Just clear, crisp interaction. We actually have a shared Google Calendar now for our dates. Some might call it unromantic; I call it highly effective. If you’re tired of the guessing games and the sensory overload of modern dating, stop forcing yourself into a mold that doesn't fit. Look for the people who speak your language. It saves a lot of time, and honestly, it’s the only way to find a partnership that actually functions.