To touch or not to touch? That is the question

What it is the etiquette on touching when you first meet someone. In a business setting it has always been shake their hand both on meeting and departing. With more euro business taking place, there is more contact in a business setting. When do you stop shaking and go in for the air kiss?
In a personal setting it is more complicated. I recently went out for a drink with a work colleague. It wasn't however a drink between two work colleagues but more a drink between friends. . . But they were still a work colleague. We arrived at the pub together straight from work so no hellos required. However, on departing at the train station it was, should I hug, should I not!? In the end I went for a friendly tap on the elbow and pretended to run off for a train.
The question is, are there defined rules for this kind of physical contact or do you run the risk of banging heads in an awkward manner?

Dirty Silver Crush

So when does a man become a silver fox? Is it when there is a certain age gap or when his hair has a smattering of silver threadage?
Amongst my friendship group I am well known for having the odd crush on a lovely silver fox. In my head they are like old classic cars - romantic drives in te countryside, look lovely, need a little maintenance but not over engineered - but you wouldn't take it on the weekly food shop.

What is an acceptable venue for a first date?

Having recenty found my self single after a number of years, the wild world of dating has suddenly opened up to me. If we glaze over the initial part if actually finding a date, where is a suitable venue? Should the lady bow down to the man and let him pick the venue or should the modern Noughties girl lead the way to ensure that at least the venue part will be suitable?

"But I can't understand why you're still single?"....!

Does anyone else hear this question from friends, relatives and sometimes people you just meet?
The polite response is to giggle, over thank them and then jokingly laugh " I just don't know!"

And in truth ..........I honestly don't know!

Don't get me wrong I have niggling habits that annoy me let alone someone else (!) and I don't look like Heidi Klum but some days when you catch yourself realising that 90% + of your friends are married (or almost) and may also have kids as well.................you can start the downward spirl of thought...!

But on the flip side, I am a nice peson, I'd like to think I'm not too offensive on the eye and consider myself a good friend amongst other good qualities. Plus I have had boyfriends before (and sometimes I worry that I peaked in my early 20s!) so I can't be that terrible!
However as much fun as dating is I am also not interested in wasting my time on people who don't deserve me.

So why am I single?.............because on a good day (like today is) I choose to be!

When is fine not fine?

So when is fine, just not fine? I have found myself recently using "fine" as a way of expressing emotion - whether things are good or bad. Does the insinauation come from the tone of the voice or is one meant to know when someone is fine or fine?