Not Level

[Albert]

You guys ever notice that many of the gals state in their profile that they are 'balanced?'  Never quite knew what that meant, and never asked.

In a recent communication, one of my gals mentioned visiting her friend in hospital.  I asked what was her problem or illness.  She replied that the friend was 'not level.'

So I guess if she is not level, then she is not balanced.  Or maybe balanced and level are two different concepts.  I still don't know what this means, but I am not going to ask her.  But I hope that it is not contagious.

[rose]

I'm a Russian, but I also don't have any clue what that lady ment. So, don't worry, you are not alone guessing about "level" thing.

[Albert]

I'm a Russian, but I also don't have any clue what that lady ment. So, don't worry, you are not alone guessing about "level" thing.

 

OK Rose, but what about the word 'balanced' that many FSU gals put in their profiles?

[rose]

I think it means that ride with such girl is steady, no ups and downs, no overreacting, no going home after the long working day never knowing what mood she is in, and if it'll change every 5-10 minutes.

[andrewfi]

That's it! Normal, no mental disturbances, a balanced personality. From the context in which the term is normaly used, I would have thought that this was obvious?

[Albert]

From the context in which the term is normaly used, I would have thought that this was obvious?

Andrew,  I was quite surprised at your simplistic answer.  You are well aware that we are not dealing with native English speakers; hence, we have no real idea if they are using the terms in the 'normal' manner that native English speakers do.  I would think everyone knows, for instance, that their usage of the term 'greedy' is not the same as our normal usage.

Further, we have to ask ourselves if they are actually using a word that has no real value as a descriptor of themselves, as would be the case in your explanation.  For instance, would you place any value on a person's declaration in their profile that they were 'honest.'  Is anyone really going to state that they are 'dishonest?'

Similarly, is anyone really going to say they are 'unbalanced' in the mental sense?  So, when I see them use the term 'balanced,' I am assuming they are meaning something other than the mental sense that we mean.  Otherwise, it is a useless declaration.

[wasson65]

Similarly, is anyone really going to say they are 'unbalanced' in the mental sense? So, when I see them use the term 'balanced,' I am assuming they are meaning something other than the mental sense that we mean. Otherwise, it is a useless declaration.

Given that these girls are probably not writing these in english, and are instead having them translated, and based on what I've seen come out of translators, I'd guess she's trying to say she's "level headed".  I don't think it's likely she's trying to say "I'm not mentally unstable".

Words with multiple meanings in english cause no end of trouble in translations, because the dictionary is biased to pick one meaning first, and it's up to the software to try to understand context.

[rose]

And I wold insist that they are using it to describe if not mental, then behavioral pattern. Did I describe myself clear, or maybe I ment something else, hm... let me think :?

[Albert]

And I wold insist that they are using it to describe if not mental, then behavioral pattern. Did I describe myself clear, or maybe I ment something else, hm... let me think :?

 

But my same comments would apply to your explanation Rose.  Is any woman really going to claim that she is  'not steady, has ups and downs, overreacts, coming home after the long working day never knowing what mood she is in, and if it'll change every 5-10 minutes?'

Since no woman will claim this, there is really no value in her claiming the opposite.  That is why I was thinking there was some other meaning to the term 'balanced.'

Some descriptors used in profiles (by both men and women) are useful, and some are not.

For instance, rarely will a person who hates to dance state that they like to dance.  Those who hate jazz music will not state that they like to listen to jazz.  Most women (but not all) who do not like to cook will not say they love to cook.

However, most descriptors used are fairly worthless in terms of evaluation, simply because no one would claim the opposite.  e.g. A woman states she is a good housekeeper.  A man states he is generous.

Because of the worthlessness of many descriptors . . . . that is why I have some confusion over the term 'balanced.'

[rose]

Well, if I'd look for a guy, and knew that I'm imbalanced, I'd just omited for the beginning. Later (probaly in a third or fourth letter) I'd tell that I have a tendency to have my ups and downs.
From my experience I've learned that it's not difficult to get married, to stay married that's what takes a lot of effort. Thus, what is the point to lie. I'd describe myself honestly, but fairly (not to scare too much guys away).
I don't believe in "perfect" dating and after wedding bells discovery of truth about mood swings or something else. I wouldn't bother to lie, because if it will not work out I'll have to go through a divorce disaster. Do I need it? No.
Desription yourself in profiles can become a disaster. Why women put there "balanced"? Maybe because they believe that they are. If they are not, just put something different about yourself what will be the true.

But you, guys, definetely have much more experience.

[philb]

Albert I think it means she has some type of  STD.

Seriously, though I have seen terms such as unlevel and out of balance used to describe various types of metabolic problems.  This is especially true if the person using this type of language leans towards homeopathic medicine. 

I guess that the only way to know for sure would be to ask.

[dragonfly]

I agree with Rose completely!!!

And... Guys, did you read what do men write in their profiles? I heard many times about men gave perfect self-description and then did nasty things concerning women.

In my opinion, profle is little self-advertising. If you create it, you should to think about advertising rules. It means your profile has to be bright, positive... And as you know, advertising can be little profanation.  Don't think too hard about different terms that women use for self-description. Sometimes it can be difficult to describe own personality and women use well-knows terms.  

Philb, was it joke about metabolic problems???

But I agree with you about the best way to know something is to ASK.

[philb]

Completely serious in that portion of my post.  That is why I said to be certain ask.

[rose]

Completely serious in that portion of my post

Guys, your problem is that you know English much better that RW. Sometimes the answer is much simplier than you expect. "Balanced" in Russian, while describing person means exactly what I wrote before.
And about metabolic problems... I love it!!! 

[philb]

And about metabolic problems... I love it!

I am glad that you love it since I am only describing what was told to me by a couple of Russian women that I did ask.  In common English usage unbalanced would indicate mental illness of some sort while unlevel wouldn't mean a thing.

Albert is talking about someone who is obviously not a native English speaker so who knows what she means unless you ask. 

[rose]

Why would somebody want to advertise their metabolic state in their profile? Hm...
Are they mentally stable?

[philb]

Rose, I think you need to go back and read the original post.  Albert wasn't necessarily talking about something he had read in a profile. 

[rose]

In such case you didn't make it clear that it was not in their profile, since in all posts prior your first post in this thread we discussed situation when it was stated in the profile.
Anyway, I think this discussion doesn't lead us anywhere.