To wonder how to meet a partner ?

[sleepygardens]

Mid thirties, no DCs :)

Not online dating sites.

Any ideas ?

Cycling, gym? Lots of men

Well I'm 38, no DC, desperate for a baby (hope it's not too obvious) and looking for a boyfriend.

I met my last boyfriend through Tinder (a dating app). So sort of internet dating. The previous date I went on was through chatting on Facebook, & I've been on one through Match.com.

I know a friend who met an old classmate through Facebook, now they are married with one child; my cousin met a Nigerian through a Facebook app and they too are married with one child.

I know lots of women who met their partners online.
Also some met their partners through work, through friends or on nights out in town.

I go to the gym hoping to meet a nice man but it looks as if I shall have to try online again (I really don't enjoy online dating)...

Gym?? I would not have thought saw, real life socials like spice is definitely the way to go.

The problem is that I have tried the 'hobby' route but I think people tend to do things because they want to to whatever it is - not necessarily to meet a partner. It can work out expensive too (depends on the hobby I know!)

Skiing is a good one. Even if you've never been before, you can join a beginners' class - I had my first ski lesson at 42 and I'm still here to tell the tale. Ditto sailing. Both of them attract men as well as women, are good fun and you'll be so absorbed in learning a new skill, you'll form new friendships on a more natural footing. Oh, and defo make use of any offers of blind dates, if only to get back into the groove. I made two great male friends from blind dates that 'didn't work out'. Good luck.

I love skiing but it's just too expensive to do regularly. This is one of the problems, I think: everything I DO want to do is rarely due to expense. I also like extreme sports - some anyway! - but again they cost a LOT.

I agree that a lot of sports & hobbies that lots of men do as well are too expensive. Also I can't drive (epilepsy) so a lot of places are out of my reach.

For example I'd like to try bodyboarding and windsurfing but I can't get to the beach & local harbour where people do these things, much less carry or afford the equipment.

It is hard. I do very genuinely wonder if I've just completely missed the boat for dating/men

Of course the easiest way to meet a man is to get a bit tipsy (for courage) then go on a bar crawl. That's how I used to meet men in my 20s!
But my friends are no longer into bar crawls and I can't drink alcohol (meds) which is a shame...

Maybe not, but I think you may need to rethink Internet dating if meeting someone is important. Because chances are that's where the single men are...why do you feel so reluctant? Maybe I can persuade you to dip your toe in - I was reluctantly persuaded, had lots of fun and met someone who seems great after several random dates...

I don't think you have 'missed the boat' as I do have older colleagues late 40s to mid 50s who've met men and are settling down with them.

Now that has NEVER worked for me!

I know but I do want children

But the idea is you do something you enjoy - so, as you say you like extreme sport but they cost too much, what about volunteering with Scouts.....you get to do climbing and kayaking and so forth, and, along the way, you meet other people, who also share a love of the outdoors.

Or what about a climbing club? My dd does climbing, and, being female, she's definitely in the minority. She goes because she enjoys climbing, but then you get to know people and 'click' with someone.
Most things I can think of, where people share a hobby, also then go to the pub afterwards or arrange meals out or whatever as well as the hobby. However, if you don't meet someone straight off, at least you are doing something you enjoy. You also increase the number of friends you have, and then you get invited to their 'do's' and then you might meet someone who is also looking for a partner.

I know ... it should work that way in theory but in the past when I've tried, people do what they came for then go home!

sniffs armpits

Colleagues? Any leads?

Unfortunately I work in a VERY female orientated environment!

ah, shame because lots of people meet at work esp later in life.

How about joining female friends on work drinks, if they have male colleagues?

If you aren't up for online dating then I suggest you join a few clubs. Not having DCs puts you at an advantage because you have the time presumably. What is putting you off OD? I have been chatting to this guy I met on POF, we are meeting for the first time on Tuesday. I am really excited.

It just doesn't work for me - don't get any interest.

might be because you don't have any hobbies

Unfortunately I work in a VERY female orientated environment!

That doesn't have to be a disadvantage. In my experience women are much more likely to introduce their single friends to each other. That's how I met partners in the past - female friends knew of someone with similar interests and outlook on life, and swapped the email addresses when we both said we were up for it.

What about the sealed knot - dressing up in 17th century costume and reenacting battles - they're all constantly getting off with each other I'm led to understand