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Original poster

Which OLD site did you use and was it successful?

70 replies

Ilovemyshoppingtrolley · 16/08/2019 16:43

Basically as the title says!

I think it's about time to dip my toe into the dating world but I have no idea where to begin.

Thanks

OP posts:
Feelingfree · 16/08/2019 17:33

Watching with interest. I’m 55 and have just started to take the plunge. Currently on eharmony but with no success. All the matches live miles away. Have only seen about 2 who I would consider local and they were not for me.

Ikeameatballs · 16/08/2019 17:35

PoF worked for me. Together 4.5 years, living together for 2. Very happy.

HarrietOh · 16/08/2019 17:37

Tried them all over the last 4 years! Don’t bother with paid they’re all the same people from free sites thinking paid might be better Grin
It’s all luck really, I’ve dated a few people from all the sites and dating someone now from POF which is my least favourite one.

LastInTheQueue · 16/08/2019 17:40

OkCupid - we’ve been together 9 months and we’re both still in awe at how lucky we are to have found each other.

I met my soon to be ExH on Love@Lycos - we were together for 17 years total, and are still the best of friends.

I think with OLD there are always horror stories, but I have actually met some lovely men that way. Just be clear on what you are looking for, set your boundaries and have fun!

Doormat247 · 16/08/2019 17:46

Plenty of fish - been together 18mths and he's lovely. But I did meet a couple of lying bastards first though.

Tried muddy matches but there's no one in my area. Also tried eharmony but they said they had no one to suit what I was looking for so they didn't progress my registration.

I worried a little about photos in case my EXH friends saw (which they did 🙈). But I don't know many people so didn't have to worry too much.

cookiechomper · 16/08/2019 18:53

Plenty of Fish and yes it was successful. Met my husband and very happy.

Worlds0kayestmum · 16/08/2019 20:08

Plenty of fish. Been together 6 years with a 2 year old

Motherofacat · 16/08/2019 20:16

I met my ex on Match. We were together almost 2 years before we split. I've been on a few bad dates on both Match and OK cupid since becoming single but the men seem to be either very conceited or very socially awkward.

Oliack1417 · 16/08/2019 20:17

Match.com, it was 10 years ago though.. 7 years married now with 2 DS.

Aprinceinapaupersgrave · 16/08/2019 20:21

My Single Friend. Don't know if this site still exists. Was 12 years ago. Met my DH and we have 2 DC.

Aprinceinapaupersgrave · 16/08/2019 20:22

Just googled and it does still exist.

userxx · 16/08/2019 20:25

Met lots of nice married men on POF 🤮

French189 · 16/08/2019 20:29

I personally like Hinge. It's free, you can either like someone's picture or comment on an answer.
You get to choose 3 different questions, things like 'the craziest thing I have ever done' 'you'll want to date me if' 'two truths and a lie'.
Some can be quite cringeworthy but it's an interesting idea for sure.
There seems to be a very interesting mix of people on there and I find it better than Tinder, worth giving it a go !

Swer987 · 16/08/2019 20:33

I met my partner on Bumble. He was the only person I chatted to :)

underthebridgedowntown · 16/08/2019 20:35

Guardian soulmates in 2014 - married the first one I met - felt pretty damn lucky.

Definitely put effort into your profile with photos and what you say - there's nothing to be embarrassed about - you just want to love and be loved Smile

crappyday2018 · 16/08/2019 20:36

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3664700-Giving-up-Dating

I'd read that thread first!! Lots of these replies are success stories but they are few and far between if you compare them to all the others who have found OLD horrendous.

I'm not saying don't try it because you could be one of the lucky ones but just prepare yourself!

BetweenTheMoon · 16/08/2019 20:38

Match.com 2008. Married with two kids.

Definitely put a picture up. Would you talk to or go on a date with a man without one?

I had some horrific dates but you have to look at them as funny stories that can be told!

Also, remember some people you meet you won't feel chemistry with and won't want to see them again. You don't think they are horrible just not right for you. So when someone doesn't want to see you again, remember that feeling and know it's the same in reverse if that makes sense!

Good luck OP!

Chimpfield · 16/08/2019 20:41

Match ...... been married for five wonderful years Smile

Original poster
Ilovemyshoppingtrolley · 16/08/2019 20:47

Thanks everyone. Lot to think about.

OP posts:
cookieoclock · 16/08/2019 20:49

Dating direct. Not sure if it exists anymore.
10.5 years together. Married, 1 dd and soon to be ttc another.

fantasmasgoria1 · 16/08/2019 21:26

Zoosk here. I had to pay but most people were serious, only a small amount of rude messages! We have been together 3 years, living together after 2 months and engaged after 5 months!

WooMaWang · 16/08/2019 21:36

Tinder here. We’re buying a house together.

PurpleGoose · 16/08/2019 21:37

Plenty of fish - together 10 years, married 5 years, 2 DC.

We both had multiple photos on our profile (I wouldn't have considered any profile without a photo).

Prior to our first date I'd had a couple of POF dates - not weird, we just weren't suited. Husband had had a brief POF relationship and a few other POF dates.

I did have to sort through the weird and dodgy messages, but it didn't really bother me I just deleted (and sometimes had a giggle with a few friends who'd had the exact same message from the same user telling us how we were beautiful and the only one they had ever messaged).

Overall I recommend OLD, and most people I know have tried it at some point.

DrDetriment · 16/08/2019 23:12

Tinder. He's moved in after a year together.

30to50FeralHogs · 17/08/2019 00:03

Did you feel comfortable in putting a photo up? I'm worrying that someone would recognise me in real life!!! Hmm

I noticed my next door neighbour on Match! i hadn’t realised he’d split with his wife and he didn’t know my XH had moved out so it was a surprise to us both! We joked that if we didn’t meet anyone we’d just marry each other and knock our houses into one big one Grin

I’ve also seen dads from school on there, but never acknowledged each other at school!

There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, OLD is the norm these days, so don’t worry about anyone seeing you on there. It should only be eligible single men who will see you anyway, which might lead to a date!