In today’s topsy-turvy world of dating and social media, many young men are stumbling over a surprising new hurdle — an overabundance of perceived “perfect tens,” thanks primarily to the glossy sheen of Instagram and other social media platforms. Back in the olden days, a gentleman might come across a limited number of beauties in his lifetime, perhaps 200 if he was lucky, or unusually well-traveled. Now, with one quick scroll through their smartphones, guys are dazzled by multitudes of Instagram “baddies,” creating a never-ending carousel of allure. But beware, our dear male counterparts are growing desensitized to it, and a little delusional, if we’re honest.

Far too many guys are strutting around thinking they’ve got the charm to bag these social media standouts with zero effort and, let’s say, not exactly GQ looks. This has become somewhat of a problem whereby they’re rating potential partners’ worthiness with a checklist that veers unfairly, and humorously, towards the superficial — as if a strand of hair out of place was like discovering a flat tire on a sports car. It seems the abundant digital marketplace of ‘options’ has disconnected some chaps from reality so much so that they might need a gentle nudge, or perhaps a firm shove, back to earth. A call-out from a friend or two to remind them that they’re perhaps not the Casanova they think they are could work wonders here.

Interestingly, some seem to believe they can play fast and loose, dating multiple “tens” while critiquing every perceived flaw, as though skipping from one digital darling to the next with the nonchalance of changing socks. The irony? For many, their resumes are as unimpressive in the dating department as they are in real life. Characters preening in front of the mirror, expecting to attract a string of perfect partners without lifting a finger or, heaven forbid, picking up a book or hitting the gym, are finding reality a bit more unforgiving.

This predicament has raised quite the chuckle. Many spectators point out that these romantic self-assessments and aspirations need to be taken with a pinch, or perhaps a bucket, of salt. Guys, when your CV reads more like a blank page than an epic bestseller, it’s maybe time to “check yourself” as the saying goes, and reset those starry-eyed expectations. We all level out eventually, after all.

So next time you see a young man casting a hyper-critical eye on a potential date, maybe suggest he takes a second look in the metaphorical mirror. After all, if guys needed fewer choices to appreciate true beauty in the past, perhaps today’s deluge of digital goddesses has obscured the vision just a little bit too much. What’s truly funny is the spectacle of someone trying to be a king with, at best, a jester’s crown. The comments section for this curious case continues; everyone is eager to know if the real catch is becoming truly grounded in reality.