WHAT IT'S LIKE TO DATE A... PR CHICK

I get told that I'm quite different to other PR chicks, but after reading this article, I'm not so sure I am anymore.

From about 13 years of age I was raised by my dad because I chose to live with him over my mum after my parents split. Treated like "one of the boys" from puberty meant I was in for a future of BMX, motocross, touch football, fishing and camping. As a result, not only do I swear like a dirty sailor (I'm sure you've noticed this if you're on my facebook, twitter or blog) but I can ride motorbikes, drive a manual car, drive a boat, bait a hook, put up a tent, build a fire and pass a footy, amongst many other things usually left to the boys. Men? Who needs men? Kidding! I do! Anyway, when I first moved to the eastern suburbs in Sydney seven years ago, every single girl I met was a Princess. When I moved into the PR industry full time at 22, I thought so even more.

However, while I think I certainly swear more and play more sport than the average PR glamazon, this article sent to me via twitter has made me consider the fact that maybe us PR chicks share more in common than our career objectives.

About five years ago I became single after around 10 years of back to back relationships (yes, sadly, since I was 14 I had bounced from one relationship to another) and I began writing a book. I began dating and started to notice that each guy had quite strong characteristics which I would jokingly put down to their jobs. So I started banging out a book which I later named "What It's Like To Date A..." The book was going to be an A to Z of occupations and what a male in that particular profession was like to date. It was fun to write, but sadly my shitty old Compaq decided to stop breathing and I lost half the letters of the alphabet I'd completed. Devo. Oh, and I fell in love and stopped dating so research became a bit too challenging.

If a guy set out to write that same book (I'm full of free ideas by the way, just give me a category and I'll hit you back with one) then I reckon it would be a pretty cinch task to prepare a par on girls in PR. In addition to the three points that the NYC PR Girls point out in this article, I've summarised a few key personality traits that I reckon us good PRs share..

1. Our career comes first. And, quite often you'll also have to compete with it. And more often than not, you'll never win. To be in PR it takes a lot of hard work, long hours and a few years on really shitty pay. It's drive and determination that got us to where we are so please don't be offended if we don't want to compromise our careers and throw it all away for you. Pro? Our motivation and independence will turn you on. Con? The nights spent hanging on the couch will more than likely just be you, alone.

2. We're organised. Like nothing you've ever seen before. Borderline OCD. It's the most critical characteristic of a PR so it makes sense that this would be quite prominent in our personal lives too. Everything has a place, every task needs a checklist, every appointment time is confirmed. It's kind of freakish. Pro? You'll always have your lunch made, dry cleaning dropped off and remember your mum's birthday because she'll have your "to do" list in her diary too. Con? You'll probably (definitely) be yelled at if your side of the bedroom isn't spotless.

3. We're planners. We plan every day in our profession. We write communication strategies, timelines, and work on events and campaigns with strict deadlines. On occasion we've been known to make a plan to make plans. On average I'd say we're about three months ahead of everyone else in the planning stakes because that's where long lead media sit. Pro? When it comes time to take holidays together you don't have to think about a thing. It'll be booked and paid for and your run sheet, I mean itinerary, will be prepared down to the hour and presented to you in an excel spreadsheet. Con? Chances of spontaneity are slim, not being prepared would more than likely cause a nervous rash to break out on our necks.

4. Our attention to detail is second to none. We've been trained this way, okay?! If we miss vital details in the work we do it can have huge ramifications on the end result. Seemingly small or insignificant details to you are given hefty weighting by us. Pro? We'll remember your boss' wife's name for you. And your boss' pet dog's name for that matter. Con? We will correct your spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors in emails and texts. And we'll notice if you wear the same shirt on our second date.

5. We talk a lot. This is probably why we first embarked on a career in PR. At school we won toastmasters, we were always nominated to present the oral assignments to the class, and we still have a lot of friends who bag us for talking so darn much. The amount of times I've suffered of verbal diarrhea is a little embarrassing. I kick myself every time. Even when I know I'm doing it and just can't stop. It's kind of like a disease. You see what I just did there? Yep. Pro? You can take us anywhere - engagement, wedding, divorce party, bah mitzvah, birthday, family BBQ - and we'll be able to strike up a conversation with a wet mop. Con? We speak to everyone. Not ideal for insecure, jealous or possessive types. Plus we might exhaust you occasionally.

This is my favourite PR chick. Ever. Of all time. Shauna Roberts. She doesn't really exist, but if she did I'm certain we'd be friends.