"How Single Are You?"

Last night I was at a just-post-college aged social occasion with a friend of mine (do you see it? football on the TV, pool table, Dr. Pepper and bean dip...). Besides her, I was meeting everyone else for the first time. 

This guy comes up and after brief "hi. where are you from?" he goes, "So, how single are you?"

My first thought was, "that's a new one."

But, the more I started thinking about it, the more I thought what a good question it is to ask someone.

The other day, I was reading an article about people who have tried to date girls/guys with "a missionary" (they have someone on a mission who they still are committed to in some fashion) or someone who is otherwise "hung up" on an ex/secret crush/etc. It's hard, because by facebook standards a person might very well be "single"in writing but are they single in their hearts and mind? It's not always a question with a yes or no answer. 

So, for example. If you are crushing hardcore after someone who will never like you back, you are 79% single.

If it's complicated with someone, you could say you are 50% single.

If you are spending all your time with the same person and kissing on weekends but still have that inkling of doubt about the commitment level, you are 5.7% single. 

Gone on two dates with the same person and feel like it could go somewhere? 68% single. 

Producing a student film? 23% single.

Married? You are -800% single. 

It's not the worst system, really. You'd have a better idea what you are getting yourself into.