Dating thread 162: (Don't wanna be) All by myself...

[Sunshineandflipflops]

The first rule about the dating thread is don't talk about it with people you're dating.

1. Develop a thick skin.
2. Do not invest emotionally too soon.
3. It's all BS until it actually happens.
4. Trust your gut instinct.
5. People vanishing, lying & being generally weird is not your fault.
6. You are the prize - they should be trying to impress you.
7. If it's not fun, stop.
8. Loo update is mandatory.

10. No dating the thread. 11. Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

And a reminder - you don't know them until you know them!

Link to Info on Dating Websites & Apps www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3514717-List-of-Dating-Site-Info-Dating-Thread?watched=1

Glad you are having fun @Marlboroandmalbec34. 😁

I don’t know if I’ve asked you this before, @LilyRose88, but could you try swimming or some sort of swimming based exercise while your ankle heals?

If you find the kick part aggravating, you could use a pull bouy and concentrate on arms only. Tbh, that’s usually a tougher workout than full stroke or even just kick (with or without a kickboard).

I didn’t feel any of it was worth paying for @DerelictWreck. Pretty much everyone is on the free sites, and coughing up money doesn’t increase the quality of anything as far as I can tell.

@Sunshineandflipflops

You’re under his spell, which hopefully now he knows he has been a tit will be a positive thing.

Had a nice day with MrNoName, just about to brave the humid weather to collect MiniSimonJT from nursery.

@Crustaceans It is a very good idea but I'm afraid that I don't like going swimming. It is the whole faff about getting there, getting changed in the changing cubicles, getting my hair wet and then having to get showered, dried and changed afterwards. Oh and getting splashed in the face by those swimmers who power up and down the lanes like they are in the Olympics! And the chorine wrecks my hair. In theory it is a brilliant exercise but due to my princess-like nature and the fact that I am quite time poor, it just isn't going to happen.

I have quite a good rehab programme now which should strengthen my ankle and foot. I just need to be patient. I am quite excited that I seem to be able to wear ordinary shoes now, although I will be back in my trainers tomorrow. It means that I can glam up a bit for my date with Mr 007 on Friday. He is very well-dressed so I want to look the part. I'm not quite Bond Girl material, but I will do my best to scrub up well and wear a pretty dress. And my dress isn't too tight so I won't have to wear shape wear (I wore a rather tight body suit under my outfit on Sunday evening and eating was quite a challenge).

I see congratulations are in order for several @Sidge, @Ant330 notably off the top of my head, while things seem to be going from strength to strength for @shitwithsugaron and @JeSuisPrest

I was waiting with bated breath for @LooUpdates non-loo update and very happy that this continues to be a success. It's really normal to be nervous @LooUpdate - I recently had a date with MsMarxAndMarzipan and we were both hugely nervous. But all was well and it was another simply amazing date complete with more dumbstruck moments on my part

@NestOfSwipers That is really quite strange. Forced intimacy ?

Hello to all the new folks and good luck to you all !

@DerelictWreck I don't pay for any of the dating sites. I am on POF and Tinder and have the free versions. I get a fair number of dates although it can be hard work, but that is the men I am speaking to rather than the fault of the dating site! Some people here use Match but I think you need to pay to message people.

Ah, yes. Going swimming is a pain the arse. And the lingering smell of chlorine afterwards does not add to the experience.

I do have a very good cap, so my hair doesn’t get wet usually. And I don’t get water in my ears. It looks like some sort of nazi-issue swimwear though, which is less good. And I steal all the special chlorine removing shampoo and body wash from DS2’s swim bag.

But still, the getting changed and showered takes ages. And the aggressive swimmers aren’t fun either.

FWB came over at lunchtime and I had a v enjoyable afternoon. We have missed each other. Will never be a proper relationship but I do like him.

My biggest misadventure was months ago. Had been having saucy chats with a guy and was about to get in the car to meet him when he mentioned he was married! Blocked.

I don't mind seeing people who are non-monogamous but I am no ones bit on the side. And I wouldn't do that to another woman - who was mother to his toddler!

Yes, hello to the new folks. I agree that there's nothing to be gained from using the paid for sites. You also have the added frustration of not knowing who's paid and who hasn't, and therefore whether you will ever receive a message from the (likely as not) unsubscribed person you've just messaged. TDL had the rather natty idea of allowing non subscribers to send template messages saying things like, "Hey, thanks for messaging. I'll be right back when I've renewed my subscription." One guy took months to "renew" then basically couldn't organise himself to phone when he said he would. I'm on Bumble now, and have loads of matches but fewer conversations going on. I need to reply to one man but waiting for the rest to respond, although it is a working day.

LoadsaMatches! @NestOfSwipers It's the new mantra for this online dating age. I do hope one comes to fruition. One thing struck me from your previous experiences was that your instincts were generally right about them early on, so go with that earlier iyswim and save yourself some bother.

@HairyArsedMan yes, you're right. When I've listened to a gut feeling I'm usually right. Maybe I should offer up my services as resident soothsayer?

Thanks for the reply guys. Sounds like bumble gets a lot of love? It sounds odd but I feel to fat for Tinder! I think it's the preconception that it's for attractive people looking for a ons?

What do you all think is the best app for a 28yo childless female in London?!

Derelict I had the same preconception about Tinder, it was the last one I installed but probably the best one for me.
Can't help with the question about which is best for you, go on all of them and report back 🤣

Ok so I bit the bullet and signed up on tinder.

My god there are some sexy men on there.

Not just to create a profile that's alluring but accurate. Anyone else have a fear of being a let down in real life I.e. "you don't look like your pictures"?!

Might do bumble later

Hello everyone ....I need some second date inspiration. Hit me with your ideas please.

Derelict I just went on Tinder looking for all these sexy men, couldn’t find any ☹️

lovemusic

Different pool? I'm in London and they're all about 30? More scarily, they're all talking about making babies

I feel like I killed the thread or are you all out on dates?

No date until the weekend here - going out with friends on Saturday night and seeing FWB on Sunday.

Currently flirting with him over WhatsApp to tide us over till then.

@DerelictWreck You haven’t killed it at all, just a quiet Tuesday. I’m seeing MrNoName again tomorrow, that’s three days in a row ☺️ then on Thursday I’m back to working in the office. Seeing FWB at Glasto on Sunday.

@DerelictWreck Hi I’m pretty new here too! Loving all the updates and stories. I’ve been chatting to Mr WhatsApp all evening again, he’s definitely keen. It’s very flattering!

FMFL you've not met him yet, right? What's he like?

Must make time to read this thread tomorrow at work so I can see everyone's stories! Thanks for the advice all

I'm having the dullest week ever until I see MrC again on Saturday night. Ex is being a complete cockwomble over having DD overnight, so I only got to see MrC once last week and once this week "in exchange" for ex having DD next Saturday and Sunday nights so I get a whole weekend with MrC.

This is after he reels off a list of dates he can't have DD because he's at some fucking festival or other pretending he's one of the cool kids - oh fuck off you twat you're a short, overweight 45 year old with a receding hairline which makes you look like the love child of Ant McPartlin and Sandy Toksvig. Your skinny fucking jeans and tight t shirt make you look like a planet on toothpicks. I can't thank you enough for fucking your colleague and allowing me to find someone who actually treats me with respect. And breathe.... 👍😂

YES @JeSuisPrest!

I've just been to the cinema with Mr SAS and now back at mine. Oops.