First date - is this not a bit weird of him??

[Lilifer]

I joined an old fashioned dating agency a month ago and was sent a match last week. The way it works is that if you like the look of the profile of the guy you let the agency know, and they then contact the man to let him know to contact you, and they give him your number,

So far so good, man, let's call him John rang me on Tuesday to see if I would like to meet up. I suggested we meet up in a city that's half way between us both, (we both live rurally) initially I suggested coffee but he said he would like to go for lunch so I said that's fine, pick a restaurant and let me know which one and I'll see you there at 2pm Saturday.

I waited to hear back which restaurant he was choosing. Yesterday he messaged me to ask where I would be parking so that he could choose a place that's within walking distance of where I parked. (Which I thought was considerate of him.) I told him where I was parking and heard nothing back until just now when he messaged me to say that if it's ok, he'll contact me at 2-ish tomorrow to let me know where he is.

Aibu to find that bizarre and more than a little annoying? He's had 3 days to figure out a restaurant, it's not that hard to settle on a place. And we were meant to be meeting at 2 so what's with the "I'll message you at 2ish" about?? So I'm meant to drive an hour to get to the city , and park and then wait to be given my instructions ... 🤨 I'm a bit unimpressed to be honest.

He did say a couple days ago when we chatted on phone that as he lives rurally an hour from this city he's not too familiar with the restaurants but we all know how to google these days, it's not that hard.

I just think it's weird. I was already a bit nervous of this date as it's my first time getting out there since my divorce and now this has kind of thrown me and I don't know what to respond to him .. can anyone advise?

Hope you have a lovely time!

Exactly this, be assertive. "Actually I've just heard about the great little place called xxxx I'd love to try. How about i book us a table and meet you there at 2?".

Well I think it all sounds nice! He got a bit flummoxed trying to get it right, OP guided him back on track with a classy message and he came up with a venue that by all accounts sounded like a treat. Even in dating I think we can afford a bit of slack. Not much but at least enough to accept potential partner might just be fallible/ flapping/ struggling. Worst case, he didn't reply positively and she didn't need to go.

Just be honest say sorry but you find the vagueness of the situation doesn't work for you, this isn't unreasonable. I think he is using this tactic to try and check you out at a distance and decide whether or not he is going to invest the time in the date. Don't give him that option you are worth more than that.

Yes, I also don't like reservations. For just two people and mid afternoon you should be able to just walk in.

I hope your brain doesn't melt when you go into some restaurants or pubs and find that lunch is served from 12-2pm @FunZebra

Honestly, I despair at some posters here.

You do you, but for most people, and the catering industry, lunch is anywhere from 12-2pm.

Why is it all up to him? You choose somewhere and tell him when and where to meet you

aww afternoon tea, I think that’s lovely

Have a lovely time @Lilifer it sounds to
me like he’s also a bit nervous so just have fun with no huge expectations of what it all means!

Lovely. Have fun

How on earth can 2pm be "really late for lunch."

I would think 1pm is bang-on median lunch time. How can an hour either way make much of a difference?

Have a lovely time - hope to hear more about it later.

Do you still live in the 20th century? I find it very easy to buy lunch at 2pm.

I don't understand what makes you incapable of choosing a restaurant.

Hope the date goes well :)

Ah sounds great OP let us know how you get on!

Afternoon tea sounds lovely.

My BFF worked for the agency in Kensington. They did full checks including bank statements.
What they do now I don't know.
Good luck op.

Afternoon tea,always nice
Now don’t go expecting him to pick up the whole tab. You both go halves. None of this he has to pay nonsense

A wandering around a market and afternoon tea sounds lovely.

Please come back and let us know how it went!

Afternoon tea sounds nice!! Enjoy!

LOL exactly! 2pm to 3pm is 'breakfast.' Some people say the daftest things! 😆

It's like the posters who say it's fine for someone to mow their lawn or trim their hedges at 7.45am, and it's 'not that early' and THEY are up at 5.45am every day, which is a 'perfectly normal time to get up for most people.' 😆

He wants to check you out in the car park. If he’s impressed with what he sees you will get a call.

lol, read the thread before posting, will prevent you from posting nonsense.