by Torie Richardson, photo courtesy of ABC, compiled by Kelly Fletcher

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“Mom, I’d like you to meet my date for this evening.”

As your mother shakes your (hopefully!) future-boyfriend’s hand, she sneaks a glance at you. You don’t find it offensive that she is amazed you could score someone this gorgeous; you are as stunned as she is.

“I told all the girls I’d have them home by 11,” your date says smoothly. Your mother breaks out of her shocked state.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Your mother fumbles for words. “I thought this was a date.”

“It is,” you explain to the millionth person to be confused about how group dates work. Is it really that complicated?

Your date will also include seven other girls, you explain to your mom. She’s still confused. Why would you want to compete for your date’s attention?

But it helps. Instead of dating someone for years, trying to see who is right for you, you can go on group dates to find out what kind of person you prefer in a matter of a couple of months.

Plus, at the end of the date, you still get one-on-one time with the guy. You don’t care that the other girls use this time to gossip about you, because, usually, this is one of the best parts of the night.

You can use this alone time to decide if you’re on the same page in your relationship. If you’re not on the same page, you can be the first girl to find another group, instead of hearing your date say he is not interested in you at the end of the date in front of everyone.

Right now, you’re one of his favorites. Or at least, that’s what he told you. He’s super into you on the one-on-one dates (and aren’t you lucky he even invited you?). But in the group dates, he basically ignores you.

Escorting you to the door, your mom asks you a question.

“What?” you say.

“Where are you going?”

Your date answers for you.

“It’s a surprise,” he grins.

Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh, you’re so falling for that smile.

Your mom isn’t convinced.

“How well do you know this guy, again?” she asks right in front of him, which you would think is rude if you hadn’t remembered that she’s just worried about you. You don’t respond at first.

Should you lie? No. It’s your life.

“We just met.”

She sighs.

You almost laugh at her frustration. Maybe the concept is ridiculous. Maybe you don’t like the idea of your one-and-only boyfriend kissing five other girls on the same day. Maybe you don’t want to worry about being kicked out of your guy’s life forever even though he totally just told you he “likes you…a lot.” All the other girls seem fine with it. Why shouldn’t you be?

You’re on “The Bachelor.”

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Most head-turning moments of the season:

“Stings left unsaid”

When contestant Elise Mosca was eliminated in the fourth rose ceremony, she hinted that competitor Nikki Ferrell is ugly. Ugly on the inside, of course (it would be catty otherwise).

“Oceans of hurt”

Contestant Clare Crawley snuck out at 4 a.m. to swim with bachelor Juan Pablo Galavis, but Galavis later said he only did it because he did not want to disappoint Crawley.

“Changing the date”

Contestant Chelsie Webster said, “Thanks to Clare, [who took Galavis’ attention], my date has been with [competitor] Alli [Restko]. … Me and Alli have had a really romantic morning.”

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