If I spend time alone with a man

[Intherightplace]

Is he and others going to assume it's a date?

I'm single again after 30 years. I have a fairly wide circle of friends through a sport, but all the single ones seem to be male. I do see the women sometimes, but the ones with plenty of time on their hands, like me, are men.

There are a few I get along with as friends and could invite to various events now things are starting to open up, but I really don't want to be "involved" with anyone atm. Also, I can do without the gossip, being fairly recently bereaved.

I could, try and organise some group things, but that always seems such hard work, I just want to be able to message someone and say "if you're free on Weds do you fancy xyz event?" without it being a big deal, as I would with a female friend/acquaintance. Most often would be a local band or an event tied to our sport.

@Comedycook

Well that's very unusual. Even if men don't think they'll have a chance, they like the social kudos of sitting with a younger, attractive woman.

Maybe you just know shallow men.

Men can actually want to be just friends.
Men can actually like a woman's personality but not fancy her.
Men can choose to spend time with a woman on that basis.
I spend time with my male friends, there's no kudos in hanging with a fat woman in her late 30s.