How many online-dating frogs did you kiss before finding the prince?

[ravenmum]

Split up with my ex last year and and going on my first "date" for 25 years tonight (aagh) - someone on an online dating site. It's my first blind date ever, and the whole idea seems quite weird, honestly: you can't really tell if you like someone from a few photos and a bit of online banter, so I'm trying not to get overexcited about it :-) If you've tried online dating, how many people did you meet up with before finding a match?

First round of OD around 5 years ago around 50 dates over a couple of years inbetween some flings. Was getting bored of it then met ex just as a last ditch attempt who I was with over 3 years until I ended it as it got stale.

This time round 3 dates;

1. a Spanish guy through Tinder. Really sweet and good company but a bit pointless as he's only in UK for a few months and didn't have a car here which put me off as not that local so never bothered to arrange date 2 although he wanted to.

2. nice enough guy through POF but still lived at home at 34 and no ambition really. He got a bit arsey when I said no to 2nd date but it ended ok as I gave him some tips which he was thankful for after explaining he was coming across a bit stalkery!

3. my 'one' who I fell in love with on our first date. I was his first ever OD and he'd only been on Tinder 2 weeks so I count myself lucky there! All going amazingly so far although early days!

Good luck with it; it really is just luck of the draw I reckon!

Goodbetterbest - persevere, check the dating thread and talk to trusted mates about it would be my advice to you. It's hard but can be fun too if you protect yourself suitably.

I've met lots of women online - I'm gay- and they reflect real life: a range of weird, awful and lovely. Perseverance and talking to friends are musts for me in order to deal with the ups and downs of dating

First one!
First online chat on the Thursday, long phone chat on the Saturday, first date on the Tuesday. That was 3 years, a house and a baby ago!

I kissed 3 frogs, landed myself with a 4th, didn't hold out much hope, 2 years later we are blissfully married and trying for a baby in autumn!

Boundaries are a must, stick firmly to them and you should be fine! Oh and enjoy the experience, it'll teach you loads about yourself and others :)

Less than 10. The last one I dated for 18 months before I found out he was banging multiple women. I went straight back online and met my DH that week.

Most guys were polite but not interested and I think it had a lot to do with me being a bit overweight and a single mum.

Dear God, I have just been 'browsing men' on the. Guardian Cell mates site. I won't sleep tonight.

What do you do if you simply don't fancy 50 yo blokes? (I'm mid-40s).

Goodbetterbest Guardian cell mates

Huh, he cancelled at the last minute, so a non-starter ... but at least I got that far! I also heard a thing on the radio about how, if you want to do this statistically, you should be trying out lots of potential partners so you get a better idea of how high your expectations should be - OK, it was a mathematician, and he suggested using a spreadsheet, but he kind of had a point! www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02hl73h

In the mathematical spirit, from your answers so far the average is 9.5!

30-40. I eventually realised that OD profiles and messaging give a very limited view of a person so made coffee dates with anyone who was literate, didn't look like an axe murderer and seemed decent. On the whole, the people I met were okay and I enjoyed the whole thing! The man I'm now very, very happily living with and planning a future with had a rubbish profile and a photo that was out of focus, and made him look a bit like a duck (he's gorgous in real life!)....so glad I got less judgemental about profiles and started giving people a chance in person...

have been OD for about 3 years now have met some nice guys but no spark, have met some guys who no way was any more than one date going to happen, a couple who did the vanish after dtd, one who i did see for a few months, then 13 months ago was browsing and saw a profile his picture was awful but his profile was very interesting so i messaged him, he messaged straight back and suggested a coffee meet, when i got to the meet place he wasnt what i normally go for looks wise but i thought give it a try we have both turned up, bvy the end of the afternoon he said would i like to see him again, said yes, took the relationship very slowly and this week we have moved in together and hes wonderful, he treats me with respect we havent had a single argument and hes a keeper

Post divorce which is nearly 3 years I went on a few dates with a like but no spark, date with total weirdo I never saw again, 6 month relationship which mutually ended - lovely guy I would greet as an old friend. After that dated total arsewipe of a dentist but then took a chance when very bruised and accepted date with now dp. We have been together 7 months and introduced kids etc. don't think he's going anywhere soon.
It wasn't so much kissing frogs but a bit of trial and error.