Snap. Crackle. Pop.

Let’s face it, without that certain something even the hottest connection can fizzle out.

Unfortunately unlike Rice Krispies, relationships take more than a splash of milk to make that magic spark appear. If lasting romance was as easy as these little starchy puffs we’d all have a relationship in our pocket with the tug of an utter.

“Why are you single?”

SHELTON

If I had a date every time I was asked this question I would never need to grocery shop.

The thing that really gets my goat is there is complete lack of a way to answer this inquiry.

I know replying, “because men are idiots” rarely works in my favor. But the reason I really hate being asked this is I don’t know — but I do have an idea – chemistry, or lack thereof.

Some of my columns may insinuate that I’ve only met the worst Athens has to offer, but that’s not the case at all. I know there are “good guys” out there. However, this wasn’t clear for one reader.

He contacted me after my Valentine’s Day column asking me on a date and urging me to “get over” whatever dating demolitions I’ve faced in the past. To prove that there were good guys out there he, the good guy representative, invited me to dinner.

I accepted his invitation for two reasons: 1. I was intrigued to judge whether or not this guy really was pitching for the good side, and 2. I wanted to prove my point.

Just because you are a “good guy” or “good girl” doesn’t mean you have what it takes for any sort of attraction.

“Finding the spark to ignite the flames is challenging but necessary,” John Hardison, a senior from Snellville said. “It’s not as easy as ‘You’re hot, I’m hot, let’s rock!’”

Chemistry has to be present for any sort of lasting attraction. Just because you have an amazing sense of humor and a great personality doesn’t insure that you are going to have an automatic attraction with a person of similar credentials … or even someone looking for a person with those qualities.

It doesn’t really make sense, because in theory this would work. Also, in this realm of “I like movies,” “Hey! I like movies too” world of matchmaking, the Tooth Fairy would leave condoms under your pillow.

A strong connection requires more than common interests and the declaration of being a “good guy.” I’m not saying it’s right, I’m not saying it’s wrong — but it is reality.

The guy who took me to dinner was absolutely, 100 percent a nice person — funny, relatively intelligent and respectful.

Will there be a second date? No.

I wouldn’t mind keeping in touch with him because surrounding yourself with nice people is never a bad idea, but there just wasn’t that spark.

The sad part about the lack of chemistry is the uneven dynamics of the situation. If one person feels the spark and the other doesn’t — it’s game over no matter what.

The sadder part about the lack of chemistry is how quickly you can identify its absence — it only took one dinner for me.

Chemistry, not to be confused with lust, is a necessity for any lasting connection between two people. It’s not always sexual, but it is present in most relationships — friendly or otherwise.

— Samantha Shelton is a senior from Auburn majoring in newspapers and women’s studies