Thursday, June 12, 2008

On the hunt in Ballantyne

Let's be honest.


Ballantyne nightlife has a certain reputation.

And every time I venture out that way, I'd really like to see something that dispels those rumors.

But, I never do.

I hate the term "cougar" as much as any other woman (it's just another example of a case where there's no similar word with a negative connotation for men), but in Ballantyne, it really does apply.

Exhibit A:

My friends and I braved Wednesday's nasty weather to check out Mix at Six -- an outdoor, live music happy hour at Ballantyne Village.

Shortly after getting a drink at the bar at the Village Bistro, a woman in her mid-40s approached us and within five minutes shared these tidbits with us:

  • She's divorced after 14 years of marriage.
  • She recently got a tattoo.
  • Pointed out an ex-boyfriend and told us to avoid him at all costs since he was bad news.
  • Told my friend not to have sex too soon with a potential beau because he'll never call her again.
I know it's kind of trendy to be a cougar right now (that demographic may just be why David Cook won "American Idol"), but talk about an overshare.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ballantyne is only known for cougars but also "swingers".

Anonymous said...

Ballantyne is too close to South Carolina. That's why.

Anonymous said...

Ballantyne nightlife needs some help. Somebody open up a dance club or something decent. I doubt that will ever happen because you can't even have pool tables in Ballantyne!

Anonymous said...

What's a 'cougar'?

Anonymous said...

So jmuch for suburbia holding the higher moral ground. Keep swinging out there folks.

Anonymous said...

Per the Urban Cougar website...

"urbancougar: it's not a stigma, it's a sophisticated species of female who seeks the pleasure of younger males. She avoids the entanglements of a "relationship," in favor of the freedom of the hunt.

She has overcome the taboos related to her sexual identity, embraced her true self, and now lives her life to its fullest. Always one for adventure, she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to get it!"

I never knew this either until now. Learn something new every day.

Anonymous said...

I have a feeling these cougars are just living the wild life they should have lived before they got married. (I did, and I'm glad I did.) It should be a crime to get married before you're 30 because in most cases, inevitably you'll wind up divorced. So, I would say give the poor woman a break. She was probably just buzzed off of one too many cosmos and wanted someone new to talk to.

Anonymous said...

Ballantyne nightlife has always weirded me out. It's always an older crowd. My theory is it's all the people who are too lazy to go downtown.

Anonymous said...

I like cougars just as long as they keep on buying me drinks and materialistic objects. Is it shallow for a 20 something guy to be doing that because the cougar was an idiot when she was 20 something and decided to get married?

Anonymous said...

Just cause your older doesn't mean you still dont like to go have a drink and dance. And just cause your older doesnt mean your tied down to a husband and kids. I'm glad to see there are places to go other then the hassle of uptown with the drunk 21 yr olds that scream and fall all over you.

Anonymous said...

Charlotte has an excess of older women who are single. Compared to other cities that have plenty of Universities, such as Raleigh, DC, Philly etc, we have a deficent of 20 something young professional single women.

Ballantyne nightlife, is an oxymoron. It's a suburban, "cleansed" area. It basically sucks and from what can tell always will. Without 20 something attractive women, there is no nightlife...period. Ballantyne doesn't have it and frankly Charlotte compared to other major cities is lacking in that area.

Anonymous said...

Geez...I need to hang out in Ballantyne more...

Anonymous said...

Nothing more pathetic than an over 40 year old that still goes to bars on a regular basis, unless you're the town drunk.

Anonymous said...

Dang, I didnt' realize if your a single 40 yrs old your still suppose to stay home on weekends or just got sip coffee at Barnes and Noble. There are alot of attractive older ladies. Heck no husband and kids help keep us looking younger. So whats wrong if we like to hear music. NOt all of us are trying to pick up men. We just like to be out of the house.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 2:54pm "Charlotte has an excess of older women who are single. Compared to other cities that have plenty of Universities, such as Raleigh, DC, Philly etc, we have a deficent of 20 something young professional single women"

I disagree. I am a 20 something young professional single woman myself and work wit several other 20 something young professional single women.

Come uptown during lunch hour. You'll see a lot of us.

Unknown said...

Where are these free spirit cougars? I'm a 57 year old man and all these cougars want a "relationship" I'm all about fun LOL 9o)! What BB King says is true! "after a man turns 50 all women just get more beautiful"

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

"...it's just another example of a case where there's no similar word with a negative connotation for men.

Wrong, wrong, wrong. There are lots of similar words/terms for men...they're just not printable.

Anonymous said...

Don't you all know that once you turn 35 you are not allowed to go out after 10:00pm and have fun! That privilidge is reserved for those under 35. Some of you 20 somethings need to get over your self. I am 37 and I hang out in bars with friends from 20's to 50's. Can't we all just get along! What exactly is it about the older crowd that bothers you?

Anonymous said...

I bartend at the Fox and Hound in Ballantyne, the mix of people is fantastic, the stigma related to cougars is out there, but our bar is geared around sports, which brings a mix of people anyway. There are certainly plenty of 20 somethings as well as thirty and forty. I am 33 and have no problem finding women of all ages to talk to, in fact the cougars are usually at village bistro and the swingers are at villa antonio, PLUS we have really hot servers!

Anonymous said...

Yo, Barkeep from F & H are you Ty?

Anonymous said...

Trout. I think Trout is a male version (that's printable) of cougar.

Anonymous said...

what is a puma?

Anonymous said...

There are a lot of over 40 women that go out NOT looking for younger men. I am single, 41 and just like to hang out with my friends and who knows maybe meeet a nice guy around my own age. As for Ballantyne I agree it is boring...drive a little farther and try South Park. Leave uptown for the "kids".

Anonymous said...

This blog is becoming the critical column. The nice thing about bigger cities is that people are less worried about what others are doing, how they are dressing and more concerned with getting a life.
The negativity is depressing!