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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

What would you put in DATING THREAD 101....

999 replies

tanyadm · 28/03/2016 11:58

The Rules:

  1. The first rule about the dating thread is you don't talk about it with people you're dating.
  2. Develop a thick skin.
  3. Do not invest emotionally too soon.
  4. It's all BS until it actually happens.
  5. Trust your gut instinct.
  6. People vanishing, lying & being generally weird is not your fault.
  7. You are the prize-they should be trying to impress you.
  8. If it's not fun, stop.
  9. Loo update is mandatory.
10. No dating the thread. 11. Read Why Men Love Bitches (aka WMLB), and take from it what you will. 12. Don't serve up moose burgers on the first date (although this is still in debate right now) 13. Matthew Hussey also very useful. And very easy on the eye even if you don't find him any good. 14. IF THEY SAY THEY DON'T WANT A RELATIONSHIP, THEY DON'T WANT A RELATIONSHIP.
OP posts:
JollyXmasJumper · 04/04/2016 23:44

sounds about right to me MrsLannister though it really depends on the demographics of your neck of the woods. I swipe right more often than that 1 in 20 probably and then unmatch but that is because of where I live/age range.

And I have no shame and send "hi"s if their profile does not give me anything to work with. BTW that is also a lesson learnt from Tinder: right swipe people who do have some kind of description and several pictures, they are usually there to chat. Attraction is better left to the first date I think.

314 you my friend are awesome (that jacket too btw). I love your sense of humor and the no BS thing. There is no way some guy will not open his eyes at some point and not hunt you down like the prize-moose your are! Grin

Glad you guys found the article useful. I might be getting obsessed with MH but I find his advice really empowering (as opposed to the Rules BS).

Harriet yay, really happy that he replied!

Trills agree, second chances are for when YOU are not too sure what to make of the first date. Not for them.

Fox yes, back off a little (ideally right after stating you are somewhat interested) and watch for his reaction. I think MH calls that the "invest then test" method. It works much better than overanalyzing the crapola of texts/dates.

I have told MrOrganizedYogi I won't be the "side dish to his job search entrée" (I blame the bourbon) Grin. So that is one more iron to join the back burner. KarmicIron is really sweet and all nervous about tomorrow. I might have to rescue him and offer a bar suggestion before he gets a heart attack. I am not sure he can handle bitchy.

And I have a new promising iron, MrMonkey! The only trouble is that he might have studied with Maple AND MrOrganizedYogi and a couple more of my current matches/long lost irons. I am dating their entire class!! Blush (before anyone asks I checked, there are about 200 students per class. Odds are not in my favor)

DrFoxtrot · 04/04/2016 23:49

Shame I think it's a bit of both. I just think he would be texting more if he was actually interested. So I'm leaving him to it. My skin is going to be so thick that nobody will be able to penetrate it Sad

DrFoxtrot · 04/04/2016 23:54

Cross posted JollyX I love your approach to dating and irons Smile

I like the sound of the invest then test, it's worth a shot. But I think I'll have to leave it until I hear from him again, assuming I do! I was thinking that if he sends another chatty text, leaving several hours to reply with the 'invest'. What do you think?

Shameandregret · 05/04/2016 00:08

That sounds a plan fox, leave a good few hours response time and see what he does.

I mentioned to math that sometimes his 1-2 day space between texting made me shrug my shoulders and think he wasn't interested, so I've been on other dates. He mumbled 'hmm yeah I was thinking I should text you more' and tonight he has so sometimes they really are clueless and just need a kick up the arse?

Shameandregret · 05/04/2016 00:10

fox sorry, I can't remember have you got a date planned with crumpet? Is this the one sheet it's has been ages between organising and actually happening?

DrFoxtrot · 05/04/2016 00:23

Thanks Shame I've been on two dates with Crumpet, both seemed great at the time. On the second I stayed over and dtd but it didn't feel all mooseburgery if you know what I mean. The space between his texts is obviously making me think he's not interested and I have been sending messages to other irons. I've gone from thinking he's steady and grounded to thinking he's not interested Confused but surely he would be making it clear if he liked me and it's NOT clear.

DrFoxtrot · 05/04/2016 00:23

I didn't answer your question, no third date in the bag at present.

AnnaChronism · 05/04/2016 00:48

I've had a busy day but I've been reading as I ran round.
I've got 5 irons, possible date tomorrow night.
Captain Pugwash is gone, he sleeps with the fishes.

I'll write a proper post tomorrow.

ocelot7 · 05/04/2016 03:36

Argh - can't sleep again :( As in woke at 2 after 3 hrs sleep - have taken a piriton but world service a bit too rivetting..
Have passed some time messaging 2/3(?) more men - I'm going to be so far ahead 314 you'll have to set me another challenge... maybe even meeting one of them...yikes!

TooSassy · 05/04/2016 05:55

he sleeps with the fishes

Beyond funny!!!!!! How is any person going to come close to the banter on this thread????
Scanned thread, moves so fast! Will post when on train to work. Happy Tuesday all!

TooSassy · 05/04/2016 07:47

Ok so have caught up on thread.

waving said the 'L' word!!!!!!! Grin. Have an AMAZING rest of trip!

handy yes date 3 with mrtattoo is this weekend. Plans are a long walk and getting to know one another more. He's been texting steadily but not overpoweringly so. He's not LTR potential I don't think but I could see us absolutely settling into something....yet to be defined.
Re you and twix just enjoy it. Sounds heavenly!

princess oooo a plus one to a wedding? Exciting! There are so many things you can do especially as the days are getting longer. What sort of things do you enjoy?

Welcome to the thread bright. You did nothing wrong. Welcome to some of the idiots you can unfortunately meet in the world of OLD!

jollyx that was an epic post! Skills! Will read that link you posted.

jollyp my only advice is to keep your guard up and move it at your pace. Keep seeing other people for a while / slow it down to see if this person is a keeper. I'll be frank, anyone who moved too fast would have me running in the opposite direction.

harriet I'd wait and see now if he instigates seeing you again.

trills i would just ask if he is interested in actually meeting you and if not then you're not interested in messaging....

fox there was a long discussion about communication a few threads ago I think. Each to their own but I couldn't date anyone who I couldn't find it easy to communicate with and more importantly who found it easy to communicate with me. It's so key to me. Poor communicators won't get any attention from me.

314 that jacket is fab!!!

Sorry to all who I haven't mentioned.

I have a dinner 'thing' tonight with mrfrench2. I know him in RL and he's interesting. Told me the last time that there is no word in French that translates directly to the English meaning of a 'date'. More that it's like a dance where two people hang out and it goes where it goes. So let's see where this dance ends up Wink

HandyWoman · 05/04/2016 08:07

Morning daters!

Have fab dates/dances tonight, Sassy and JollyX

Happy juggling everyone else, fingers X'd for something more substantial for Foxtrot and Harriet

Come on universe, do your thing!

MrsRolandRat · 05/04/2016 08:40

Oh god I super liked someone accidentally on tinder he was minging

Enjoy your dance/date with French sassy.
*
Harriet* I hope he texted back and has asked to see you again. My first date many years ago after I came out of a long relationship he promised to texts (after 3 dates) then ghosted me. I didn't do my self esteem any favours! Now it wouldn't bother me half as much after being in the OLD game for a fair few years I think it toughens you up.

Foxtrot I'd do as everyone says and back off and see if he picks up speed and takes the hint a little.

Have a lovely Tuesday everyone else.

MrsRolandRat · 05/04/2016 08:40

Excuse the previous post in bold stupid phone stupid me really

harriet2802 · 05/04/2016 09:19

He is a bit of a rubbish texter in general to be honest, but I did expect more after being on a date! I think I am comparing it too much to my ex though, we would text non-stop all day on days we weren't together and I am used to that. However, I do think I am being slightly paranoid at the same time. We met in London. We are both from the North but live 90 minutes apart. If he didn't want to see me again then surely he would not have said he had a good time and he could quite easily ignore me!

I had a very bad break up and I need to stop the paranoia before I scare men away!

I have been asked out tomorrow by somebody else who is a mutual friend. I aren't really interested in him though and feel I would be wasting both our times if I agreed to go!

JustEat314 · 05/04/2016 09:39

JollyX, thanks so much for telling me that I'm Prime Moose. That sounds like corn fed chicken, or ribeye steak! Anyway, no burger Patty. So thank you. Enjoy your date Jolly!

Foxtrot that's frustrating, keep busy not shopping necessarily Blush and steel yourself - and message other irons :-/ I know what you mean about getting a thicker skin!! , I need more electricity for my forcefield. Need a turbine in my garden. That reminds me, mr renewable energy didn't reply to my last message. I think it's because he knew that I wouldn't fancy him and he didn't want to waste his time.

Roland oh no, he'll be right back to you, like a rat up a drainpipe!! or maybe he'll look at your photo and know it was a mistake. one can hope

I'm glad all the women on the thread approve of my jacket. I was thinking, for the gentlemen, a nice dusky pink v-neck tight fitted top underneath would be a very sexy feminine type of biker chic Wink . By the way, Wine I'm enjoying the breath of fresh air newer posters to this thread are bringing, and reading the funny stories. The names will sink in later! sassy Enjoy your date with mr french2 (was there a mr french1)? That's interesting, no word for 'date'. That does take the pressure off but can you imagine ''mamannet.fr'' est il une date romantique?? ou est PAS romantique?!?"... pages of that! :-p in actual real french.

Ocelot, sincere apologies for thinking lecturers had the entire summer off :-p kin cheek of me! Grin Still at least a teacher would be free to work around YOUR schedule which is helpful! I was thinking of messaging that guy again, the one I told you about who wouldn't meet up with me, but with whom I exchanged messages for months. Silly man. See you + dob. I don't know why though. It would be pointless and stupid. I really need my book (mr unavailable and the fallback girl) to come. So, get ahead and meet ONE man before the end of April! I'm meeting mr canceller on saturday but I'm a bit nervous. He couldn't possibly expect me to have sex with him. I don't feel like we're fast movers either of us. And to me it feels like a getting to know you thing. I did say to him as soon as he suggested it that I'd get a taxi home and he said ''of course! I'll put you in a taxi' (meaning he'd pay, btu that's not necessary). I just want to give him one more chance. Bore me or impress me. Do or die! :-p ''all your lives are gone mr canceller''. I'll text him that from the back of the taxi???

shameandregret your funny, it's good to hear somebody sell Tinder, because that's my last line of defence. Knowing tinder is still out there stops me throwing in the towel!

ALaughAMinute · 05/04/2016 09:42

Did you hear from him last night Harriet? Being a rubbish texter is no excuse IMO. If I were you I'd go on the date tomorrow and carry on looking for irons.

JustEat314 · 05/04/2016 09:51

sassy apologies, there should have been a new paragraph break before your name. What am I like!? like a man on pof sending a howzitgoin message

And you're right btw, how could men match the banter on this thread .

JustEat314 · 05/04/2016 09:53

harriet if you know him well enough to know already that it won't lead anywhere then you are right to say no thank you!!

harriet2802 · 05/04/2016 09:56

Laugh I did - he said he had a good time and we spoke about things we spoke about sunday. He is off work all week this week (he's a single dad) and has a lot of days planned with his child so I know he will be fairly busy too.

JustEat We are very different people and I think it would be unfair to agree to a date when there's absolutely no spark there whatsoever!

ocelot7 · 05/04/2016 10:05

Not sure if I can bear to actually meet one of them 314 ( But will try to be open-minded....
One that I messaged last night (about tennis! One of the things we had in common) sent me a lewd comment on one of my photos so I told him that was inappropriate as an opening gambit & that the conversation was over..

Jollyx interesting article though for me at my age I don't think the fear of not meeting anyone else is irrational :(
I'm mulling over the bit about them not 'getting' you - I guess M didn't though he acknowledged I got him...

ocelot7 · 05/04/2016 10:09

Yes 314 message that guy again - what's to lose? He's most probably got no closer to meeting anyone & certainly no one as bright & sassy as you :)
There does seem to be a better calibre of guy in Ireland & in France/Italy (from my alpine swiping :) )
So if anyone's thinking of relocating those are my top tips... & Yorkshire isn't....

JustEat314 · 05/04/2016 10:10

I feel like that ocelot I don't know where the article is (did I miss a link) but in my mid to late forties now, the fear of not meeting somebody is not irrational. I think it's going to take determination, focus, strategy, relentless optimism, an optimism that defies all logic, and also, good luck, and maybe a bit of standard-lowering as well.

DrFoxtrot · 05/04/2016 10:11

Morning everybody!

Sassy I hope your date tonight goes well!

Well I've not heard from Crumpet, he has not replied to a message I sent at 5pm yesterday so I think I am being ghosted. Which is ok as he's obviously not the man for me. I want to be moose hunted. I want a man to clearly want to contact me. It's obviously not Crumpet, so it's not too hard to just forget him now.

Ok I need to work on other irons...

JustEat314 · 05/04/2016 10:20

But IT WILL HAPPEN Brew Ocelot For both of us! Brew

Good point about The Nerd probably being no closer to meeting somebody either!!! I only call him the nerd affectionately. I liked him! Before I messaged him, and I did message him first, I showed his profile to my friend (a female friend who's also a single parent and she's on pof too) and to my surprise she nearly spewed out her wine and said ''Jesus what a fucking nerd''. Her exact words! She didn't like Bear either though. She said he seemed so far up his own arse he'd found himself in his lower intestine. But he's not like that at all. I thought The Nerd would be right up her street as she has a masters and only likes intelligent men. So, I FIND her one and that's the thanks I got! so then I started messaging him, and the rest, as they say is history! no wait! That's not how it ended. The rest is that he enjoyed the chit chat from the comfort of his house. I get that a lot! I have that effect on men! They chat with me, and omg, they can't bear to leave the house they're enjoying the chit chat on whatsapp/skype so much. Will I ever get chatting with a man who'll grab his keys/wallet/oyster card and leave the house to meet me!?

I did have a carpenter message me yesterday ocelot. And he lives in my town. He would meet up. Unfortunately I just can't. I can't. I can't. He could put up a shelf no doubt but his message is incoherent. Not just a bland ''howzitgoin' ' but completely incomprehensible. 8 words long and it manages to be nonsense. That's an achievement.

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