Winter flings

Believe it or not, the term "fling" doesn't only apply to situations involving sand and sunblock.

It also characterizes scenes centered on frumpy sweatsuits and flu medicine.

Maybe I'm being a bit too critical of the winter fling.

YourTango describes the phenomenon here, offering four tips for a no-strings-attached holiday fling.

The more I think about it, there's no reason the fling concept should be confined to summer. The holiday season is filled with meet market-friendly parties, not to mention seasonal pickup lines like this:

"Put your arms around me. I'm cold."

But winter seems to have more of an emphasis on serious commitment. Meet a date in June and your biggest social obligation will likely be a July 4 barbecue.

Meet someone in November, however, and you'll quickly be forced to decide if he/she should join your family for Thanksgiving dinner.

That's cool if you're looking for a serious relationship, but not exactly ideal if you only want a fling.

Which is better: Summer flings, or winter flings?

(Get more info on holiday parties at the Ledger-Enquirer's newest blog.)