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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

Dating thread 164. Fortune favours the brave

999 replies

Marlboroandmalbec34 · 13/07/2019 09:27

  1. The first rule about the dating thread is 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. 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

OP posts:
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9
Ant330 · 13/07/2019 14:15

LooUpdate I've already posted about my experiences on here on that topic so don't want to repeat myself. But no it wasn't about that but was sex related and personal to both of us.
I get your point about patience and wish you luck for later.

Coffeeandchocolate9 · 13/07/2019 14:42

Ok, XXVaginaAndAUterus here under a new name!

@Looupdate you sound much more like you've got your head firmly on your shoulders now 🙂 I do think sexting and reality can be very different, but they do seem to match some of the time, too 😉

At risk of gong over old stuff again, given that his ED might be caused by nerves, it can be counter productive to do anything other than play it down, even if it IS a big deal to you down inside. I'm getting along very well with Mr 5in1 because we were refreshingly honest with each other from date 1 (well, even from chatting before it) so I am a fan of emotional intimacy from day 1 and courageous honestly, but even in my shoes if he has trouble getting it up tonight (our first time dtd fully ) I'll not be saying anything that conveys my disappointment, because it simply won't help anything and I imagine would be very painful to hear and guys already know that and fear rejection because of it, so the cycle wouldn't get broken. If you can help him to relax, there's a much better chance it will work, and once it works once his confidence will be boosted, which means it's likely to have broken the cycle.

I also, because of aforementioned emotional intimacy and status, would after the moment if it doesn't work tonight, be having a gentle conversation about if it's happened before, has pills or anything worked, can I do anything to help, there's no pressure at all from me, I am looking forward to the time when it does happen but am just happy being near and holding him, etc, come here and kiss me, let me hug you, etc. And I'd perhaps very much privately only in my head, set a time limit - a month, two maybe, to see what happened in that time, and to deal with my own fears if I had been in your shoes. Was he keen and willing to please me even if his tackle wasn't working? Did he try things that could help, and/or go to the doctors, or did he want to bury his head in the sand? And if after that time period it wasn't making good progress, call it a day for some other reason, because you can gift him that kindness.

All of which I'm kindof assuming is your plan, and that you're not about to point in horror and run away actually screaming out loud.

@Ratbagcatbag yes sorry I name checked the wrong person - mumsnet or my phone was displaying very weirdly - sorry about that! I concur with the numbers game comment - you'll have future dates you don't want to end too. I always like to meet them early, because I wasted months on one guy getting attached and keen and sexting only to find when I met him that his photos were 10 years out of date and he was a right weirdo, and I really, really did not want to dtd with him. The short date is just you getting somebody that's wrong for you out of the way in preparation for a better one!

LooUpdate · 13/07/2019 14:49

Ladies and gents, what are your thoughts on this short video which attributes ED to a belief that sex is dirty and therefore can only take place with someone you have little respect for:

GinMel · 13/07/2019 14:55

Are you for real @looupdate?

The men on here have shared very openly with you (and true respect guys for doing so) about reasons they had probs. To suggest otherwise is disrespectful to them.

GinMel · 13/07/2019 14:56

Must admit I did doubt if you were for real with your very first post.

LooUpdate · 13/07/2019 15:07

I'd perhaps very much privately only in my head, set a time limit - a month, two maybe, to see what happened in that time

That's really good advice. Do you think I should date others in this time? I was not dating anyone else as I really liked Mr Shakes but tbh, after the ED I don't like him as intensely as I used to. I sound like a right bitch but it's sadly true :(

LooUpdate · 13/07/2019 15:10

Of course I'm real. I didn't make that video. Have you watched it? It's talking about the madonna whore complex and roots it in childhood. This is an old theory. How does asking for opinions make me a troll? Essentially the video says that if a man views a date as a potential wife he is more at risk of ED.

Coffeeandchocolate9 · 13/07/2019 15:10

Loo my lovely you are way overthinking things.

I find that video a bit creepy and disturbing to be honest 😳

Go with the assumption that it was just one of those things and he was maybe just feeling nervous performance anxiety. Think positive thoughts that it'll all be fine today, and please don't torture yourself googling it.

LooUpdate · 13/07/2019 15:20

My husband cited the madonna whore complex and his religious upbringing as the main reason for his ED, hence me mentioning it here. I agree the video is indeed creepy and if true, then bloody disturbing.

Coffeeandchocolate9 · 13/07/2019 16:22

This man is not your husband.

Try not to assume anything that you not know as to be true fact.

ALL you know to be true is that he had a problem getting it up, once.

You know that the occasion was the first time, with a new woman.

You know that often the first time with a new partner, people feel anxious.

That is all. One step at a time. Go and enjoy his company tonight. Try to relax and let any expectations, good or bad, or hopes, melt away and focus only on enjoying the company of this man who you like.

Xxx

Coffeeandchocolate9 · 13/07/2019 16:23

Mr 5in1 has just called to say he has had to rush his mother into hospital. It is possible that I have a hotel room all to myself tonight.

Hmm
Ratbagcatbag · 13/07/2019 16:29

Oh no coffeeandchocolate9 any indication what's wrong with her? And bugger on the hotel room too

Coffeeandchocolate9 · 13/07/2019 16:40

None at all, only that she's disabled, and he had said she's been quite poorly the last couple of days. I saw this coming.

About 10 years ago I went through a phase where every man I was early stages dating called off multiple dates citing parent ill health. I didn't know any of them well enough to know if it was truth or a weird horrible lie made up because they'd gone off me and didn't want to say. I never found out if any of them were true nor got closure. At least one was probably married in hindsight. This doesn't feel like it's anything other than true, and I've had parent ill health emergencies and wouldn't expect anybody to do anything other than to drop everything to support... but it's about a tenth of a milimetre away from pressing ALL of my buttons and jamming the whole console.

GinMel · 13/07/2019 16:44

@coffeeandchocolate9 oh no. Ill parents are such a common excuse. Mr 5in1 does seem genuine so far. Fingers crossed.

Ratbagcatbag · 13/07/2019 17:13

Apologies as I don't know your history with Mr5in1, but if he's not pulled this stunt before and he seems into you then maybe see how it goes.
I do understand what you mean about pushing buttons though. It's so hard not to react negatively.

Buttlersfreakishwrists · 13/07/2019 17:18

@LooUpdate

I posted previously in incredible depth about why I think it happens. Not sure if you read it but it’s in the previous thread.

To summarise though, is the idea that I might suffer performance anxiety because I am subconsciously worried about being under pressure to perform in case the girl that I have gotten emotionally invested in decides I am useless in bed and dumps me that unrealistic given you yourself have suggested you will dump a guy if he fails to maintain an erection. It certainly feels more plausible to me than I have some bizarre mummy issues.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t break things off with him, if it’s clearly as big a problem as it appears to be for you based on previous experience, then it might prove to be too big an obstacle to overcome and you might just be doing both of you more harm in the long run.

BUT, also think about if it is something you might well be able to get over. Firstly the advice to say nothing is wise for before/whilst you try and have sex tonight. Nothing is guaranteed to increase the risk of performance anxiety tonight like him worrying that it is going to be a problem tonight. If it does happen again however then afterwards you’d be well within your right to discuss it. But be careful how you do raise is it.

I implore you to not say some of the things you have said in this thread because to do so would be pretty cruel and make him feel pretty shitty. Please do not ask him if it is because he doesn’t find you attractive. Please do not imply that he has somehow failed. Do suggest it’s not a major issue, that you’d be happy to pleasure each other in other ways for now. Say you understand he might be feeling anxious but you’re happy to help him sort it out (and if it does happen again, if he’s got any sense at all he will be seeking out viagra for the third time).

Finally if it helps to know the stats on this, it’s thought that as many as 4 million men in the UK suffer from some form of erectile dysfunction. Unfortunately it still retains a huge stigma but fortunately in the times it’s afflicted me, the person I’m with has been more understanding that I could possibly have hoped.

scotgal2017 · 13/07/2019 17:35

Placemarking, also feeling very sorry for myself and down with this whole OLD malarkey. Been at it since October last years, took two 1-2 week breaks from OLD from then until now. Need a bit of perspective please: In the 10 months I've been doing OLD I have been physically out with 5 guys (in varying degrees of intensity) I've spoken to more online but never met up. Realistically, how many frogs/nutters/narcissists/hookup merchants/emotionally unavailable/sex obsessed/immature/ghosting men do i have to get through before I find one that wants to be with me long term as me?? Grin

Neverexpected2 · 13/07/2019 18:11

scotgal if you find the answer please me know. I started Nov last year. Lost count of how many I've spoken with but met up with about 15 to date, saw 2 of them for about month to 6 weeks and have had 2 dates so far with current iron 🤷‍♀️

MoreNiceCereal · 13/07/2019 18:18

Sorry you feel that way, @scotgal2017. Have you tried changing your settings Tina wider/narrower age range, or distance?

It's not you. OLD is just hard all round.

shitwithsugaron · 13/07/2019 18:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scotgal2017 · 13/07/2019 18:44

@neverexpected2 I'll let you know if I ever find out!

@MoreNiceCereal, I turned 40 earlier this year, my apps were set to men between 35 & 47. Youngest I met was 35, oldest was 46 and some in between. Location wise, I don't live in a big town, I live in a small village about 30 minutes from nearest large city. I've had dates with guys usually meeting halfway if they don't live nearby, but I set my distance to maybe 100 miles max for full regional scope, you have to cast your net wide Grin. Last guy who just started ghosting me seemed so normal and I thought we clicked and felt the same, that's what is just so frustrating....if they are off the wall or an oddball it's easier to get past it and move on to the next.....

scotgal2017 · 13/07/2019 18:46

@shitwithsugaron thanks for the data input, I just feel like I should be there by now, I've been single for 2 years nearly and beginning to feel like a leper lol. It's probably just the Aries in me, I'm impatient lol.

Coffeeandchocolate9 · 13/07/2019 20:16

Not sure whether to laugh or cry. Since I have the choice, I may as well choose to laugh 😂

I went to the hotel, well inn or so I thought... It was the grubbiest, mankiest, grimmest little block of chalets, the type that Basil Fawlty would take one look at and say Woah there steady on that's a bit too grim. No food, no bar (private party, not advertised but that was booking.com's fault apparently)- in the middle of nowhere, no gas (cut off, not their fault either) and the fridge, toaster and microwave in the room were visibly too dirty to want to use even if there was a local shop. I last heard from my date at 5.15pm from the hospital, still no further on news-wise if he's coming or not. I was going to resign myself to staying just in case he came but I was peaked by the discovery of a shelf of 7-8 dead spiders (assorted), with a good protective coating of dust. It. Was. Grim. Now sat in car in middle of unknown countryside wondering options. Will try to ring bloke but he prob won't answer if he's in hospital.

MoreNiceCereal · 13/07/2019 20:30

Abort mission! Abort! Please don't sleep there!

Coffeeandchocolate9 · 13/07/2019 20:35

Oh no there was no chance of that once I'd turned the torch on on my phone (light not working....) and had a proper look around. Manage didn't even ask why when I went and asked for a refund, just did it straight away. Is there a governing body to report hotels etc to? I'm pretty sure it was unfit for human habitation and I'd like to report it.

But I haven't heard from 5in1 and I am a bit stuck. I think I'm going to go get a pub meal on my way back home and, well, go home.

I fucking waxed for this

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