Sh*t or get off the pot!

There comes a crunch time in any relationship. This is commonly known as the "shit or get off the pot" moment. It's do or die for the relationship; do you move on to the next level, or does your romance go the way of the dodo?

The graph above shows a relationship up until just after this critical juncture. The area marked H is the honeymoon period, as described in the personality vs looks post. This period is characterised by a rapid rise in relationship viability as you successfully navigate the crucial first few dates. Eventually you become an item and settle into a steady state, marked by B above. At the beginning of this stage, both parties are not sure of the long term chances, but are willing to go with the flow for a while. The length of this 'while' will be shorter, the older the protagonists are (especially the woman!). Sooner or later however, an important decision will have to be made. Do you see the relationship going the whole hog (yeigh!) or are you just wasting your partner's time in the long run (neigh!)?

If it's the former, then the good times can continue rolling. If it's the latter, you have to do the decent thing and let the relationship die a quick and painless (as possible) death. If you are terminating the love affair, you better have the "it's not you, it's me" line (or variant of same) on standby, as your decision may baffle an oblivious partner.