The dating & mating game

Spring quarter is described by many students as their favorite quarter. After surviving winter and the perpetual overcast days that never seemed to end, I swear if the quarter lasted any longer I just might have killed myself. But thankfully now the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the temperature has risen a few degrees and the sun even comes out -- well, every once in a while. While Seattle will never be San Diego, it seems Seattleites' mood lifts when the clouds do. Wikipedia defines "spring fever" as "a feeling of languor or yearning brought on by the coming of spring," and by looking around at all the couples on campus and countless examples of inappropriate personal displays of affection, it seems many have caught it.

There have been studies done showing a correlation between light exposure and an increase in mood. Maybe the sun really does help release endorphins. Or maybe people are just happy they can wear their flip-flops, or those cute sliders from Urban Outfitters, without fear of stepping in a puddle. But something tells me happier attitudes can't just be attributed to footwear. Many of my guy friends say spring quarter is the best because of one thing: the girls that sunbathe in the quad wearing tank-tops and short shorts.

Relationship expert and sociology professor Pepper Schwartz said whether it's excitement about getting to wear a whole new wardrobe, or the novelty of being outside, it's an undeniable fact that hormones seem to be in overdrive in the spring.

Just look at the animal world. I was woken up at 3 a.m. by two birds clearly celebrating the arrival of spring with some very vocal mating. Schwartz said the animal world goes through a period called the estrus cycle in which the increase of daylight hours causes some animals' systems to be flooded by hormones. These hormonal influxes cause female animals to go in heat.

"Once the girls get ready, the guys are right there," Schwartz said, who points to the horse world to examine the estrus cycle. Horses mate in the spring and summer, and female horses will "wink" at males by eliciting rude, even violent behavior by the stallions in seek of his seed.

Schwartz said the female horse will squat in front of the male, raise her tail, urinate, rub her clitoris and tilt her pelvis up to get his attention. But she leaves him high and dry after she gets what she wants, and this period of increased sexuality for animals only lasts through the autumn. Unfortunately for male horses, when the weather gets cold dark again, so does the female sex drive, and if he tries to get lucky again it might cost him his life.

"As soon as the female horse gets pregnant, she wants nothing more to do with him," Schwartz said. "If he even tries to get near her again she'll kick the shit out of him."

Don't be afraid guys: humans mate year round and don't typically succumb to violence after mating (although I have heard of a few cases of one night stands gone awry...does the movie Carrie ring any bells?) There is a socio-biological debate whether humans ever had an estrus cycle, and it's argued humans don't need one because of our ability to adapt to new climates and technology. This makes it easy and convenient to sneak in 20 minutes of extra light therapy (and get a great tan) whenever we want. Whether it's hormone driven or purely weather-related, Schwartz said now is the perfect time to work on your game.

"The feeling of goodness and bliss in the world is definitely a turn-on," Schwartz said, adding there's nothing more attractive in the opposite sex than a happy disposition. "Spring is a great time to make your move." So how do you take advantage of this time when you have a bunch of attractive athletes in one of your classes, and a myriad of new people to meet and possibly connect with?

"Take baby steps," Schwartz said.

If you meet someone you seem to hit it off with in one of your classes, ask them to coffee or take a walk outside. Take your time to get to know someone -- you never know where it may lead.

"It's too much to say, 'Oh, I really like the comment you made in class today; want to go to Cabo for the week," Schwartz said. "But asking someone to continue a conversation over drinks or lunch is totally appropriate."

And as far as those short shorts, "Don't overdo it," warns Schwartz.

"If your best friend has the body to show off her midriff, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best look for you," Schwartz said, who says bigger bodies are beautiful too -- but not everyone is swimsuit ready just yet.

"Showing it all in a tiny tank top and shorts isn't for everyone," she said. "It might get you ogled, but it won't get you loved."

Is your love life a little flacid? Get up the courage and e-mail a question to [url='mailto:erinhicks@thedaily.washington.edu']erinhicks@thedaily.washington.edu[url]. Erin and Pepper might get you some answers.