Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Where do young adults meet others nowdays

36 replies

racierach · 14/08/2025 21:09

My DS 19 would like a gf. He says the apps are full of women that he would not choose to go for.
he goes to the gym but it’s a bit of a meathead gym. He goes to a martial arts class but again it’s full of men.
he doesn’t particularly like going out drinking and doesn’t think he will meet any suitable women.
any suggestions I can make ?

OP posts:

Cinaferna · 15/08/2025 07:29

Picklechicken · 14/08/2025 23:03

Dd aged 21 seems to get chatting to people on Instagram that are friends of friends and who respond to her stories - it’s sort of like a dating app without being obviously a dating app…! Of course that depends on how many people he knows etc in social media. It can be a bit stalker ish otherwise. Dd is currently chatting to someone who “liked” her latest story (a pic of her she posted) and they’ve been messaging since. He’s sort of a distant friend of a friend.

That is how my other DS met his partner. Friend of a friend on Instagram. Liked the same things. Then met up and have been together ever since. They are so well-suited I wouldn't be surprised if they got married, even though they met quite young.

Onelifeonly · 15/08/2025 07:29

Judging by my daughters, they mostly meet on gaming sites or Snapchat.

Coffeeishot · 15/08/2025 07:34

My dd met her Dh on an app Other Dd met her partner at a hobby, how would your younger son know about women on apps ? Sounds like hearsay and "boy talk" if your son wont go out goes to a meat head gym wont go on apps how does he expect to meet anyone?

Ohthatsabitshit · 15/08/2025 07:39

Does he have male friends? If so where did he meet them?

Michele09 · 15/08/2025 07:41

Cinaferna · 15/08/2025 07:27

Do people meet at Park Run? When I did it, I was so focused on the run I wasn't very aware of others around me except the mate I ran with. But I wasn't looking to meet someone. Is it a good place to chat people up?

Show quote history

Where I am people go to the cafe in the park after for breakfast.

aniataniamania · 15/08/2025 07:44

Don't young people make friend and meet partners in real life anymore? Honest question? I'd hate to meet someone over an app.

Billybagpuss · 15/08/2025 07:45

racierach · 15/08/2025 06:51

thank you so much for suggestions.
he doesn’t want to go on apps he (and younger ds) both say they are just full of women wanting hook ups and that’s not what he wants.

I am going to suggest he changes his gym or joins a running club/ hyrox.

he works in engineering as apprenticeship- very few women and college for same things but again very few women.

Is he interested in sports like padel, pickleball or tennis. Padel particularly has a good mix of ages and pretty equal m/f split. If he changes gym find a more social one that has sessions to play like this and a cafe/bar for afterwards.

frozendaisy · 15/08/2025 07:58

College events and clubs
work events and clubs
gigs
has he got a male friend they could “go out on the pull”? Together not for a one night stand but just to talk to females?
house parties - friends of friends sisters of friends

farmlass · 15/08/2025 08:02

Pickleball paddle and badminton and tag rugby .
They seem to just go along and play with whoever’s there and good socials after too if my kids are anything to go by.
The more people you meet the more people you meet !
Both kids partners we’re friends of friends so there’s still real life meet ups happening .

Coffeeishot · 15/08/2025 08:13

Is he at college/working ?

thebigyearahead · 15/08/2025 08:27

racierach · 15/08/2025 06:51

thank you so much for suggestions.
he doesn’t want to go on apps he (and younger ds) both say they are just full of women wanting hook ups and that’s not what he wants.

I am going to suggest he changes his gym or joins a running club/ hyrox.

he works in engineering as apprenticeship- very few women and college for same things but again very few women.

My DS who is the same age says that Hinge is the app young people use if they want more serious relationships. Tinder is for hook ups. His friend has just found a gf through it and my DS is currently getting his photos sorted for it. Your DS may have had a bad experience with them … but it might be worth another go

Flip

1 2