How do you meet people ?

[Sugarcainx]

I'm only 28 and I see all sorts of posts about people meeting new people, having affairs (obviously don't want that) and I can't even meet one person.
I'm sick of persevering with OLD. Date after date where there's no spark and I never see them again.
I find that the rare occasion I do meet a man in another setting that they're generally taken at this age.
I hate OLD and i'm sick of relying on it, I think i'm attractive and it really shouldn't be this hard, especially at only 28.
Any suggestions ? Thanks

I met people in clubs pubs and bars

And at work

I know people now who've met their partner at park run, through mutual friends , and at an evening class

Don't know anyone who has met someone online dating

Someone I went to school with and who I always fancied has just added me on Facebook. I got excited then I saw he had a girlfriend. Of course. 🙄

No advice but I feel your pain and I’m piggybacking in the hope of some decent advice !

Sadly I don't really go out much. 95% of my friends met their partner on OLD and I know they've been lucky. I also want to just meet someone in an authentic manner rather than these awkward first dates which feel forced.
I met a guy I really liked on OLD a few months back but he turned out to be a massive liar.
I do parkrun but I haven't for a couple of weeks as it's been cold/icy. I'll have a look into evening classes ! But knowing me they will all be taken there too.

Im not dating atm but my friends meet them in clubs, and out with friends, men stop them in the street/out and about. Doesn’t have to be only online. When I was younger I never struggled meeting men

I don't drink, i'm an early bird, introverted and a sporty type, the ideal would be to meet someone like me.

Clubbing would probably be a good one, but I have nobody to go with sadly ! I feel like it should be a lot easier than this for me and that these are my 'best years' (not meant to be ageist at all !). I definitely met more men in my early 20s.

Get a few hobbies and let them come to you.

My funds will be going on driving lessons and fixing my teeth for the forseeable, I'm going to look for an affordable evening club. The harriers is good but it's so cold and wet at the moment 😂 also love Zumba but doesn't tend to be a meeting point for heterosexual males 😁

Bars/ clubs/ pubs/ restaurants

Through friends

Work

Public transport

Through a hobby eg- running, library, gym etc

Found a local college which does 12 week courses for £135, creative writing, languages, cooking etc. Sounds brilliant !

My gym is really social and I meet loads of people there. Could you try speed dating if OLD is not for you?

You're lucky ! Mine is full of very serious-looking blokes who have eyes for the equipment only. I've never been able to strike up a conversation with anyone there, nor have I ever been approached.
I'll have a think about speed dating !

I don't want to even attempt OLD. If I meet someone I hope it's at a pub or gig somewhere where I know we already share a common interest.

It's a minefield. My Mum says guys don't often approach me IRL because they think they won't have a chance, but i'm not sure. I just resent how difficult it is, it really shouldn't be.

Are you stunningly beautiful or something?? All my stunning friends get approached all the time, Like constantly. Maybe it’s the area you are in? Obviously not all the attention is wanted by a few friends have met people that way.

Lol I think guys wont approach me because of my resting bitch face

I don't know if it's to do with looks, I may also have resting bitch face or give off an unapproachable vibe 😂

In my experience, not that many men go to creative type classes. Seems to be more of a women thing.

I know! Have you tried rock climbing? There are rock climbing groups where they meet up and do it indoors in a centre and then they go together to do it outside every now and again.

May be to do with looking unapproachable then as ime guys aren’t shy when it comes to chatting up women!

Do ask around all your contacts if they have single brothers, cousins etc.
People may not know you are available, particularly if you are an introvert.

Hi, have a think what your interests are and go along to something to do with them. That way, you'll enjoy it anyway and won't care so much whether you meet someone there. The courses sound a good idea. I also googled what was on local to me one evening when I wanted to get out of the house, went to some fairly random thing and eventually met a lovely FWB/close friend there I've kept in touch with..:) But think following your interests is the way to go.

I feel your pain OP, same age.

I loathe online dating (although I am on there) but it feels like you can't meet people in real life anymore. People just don't approach each other anymore haha. I long for a movie-style run-in in a bookstore or something like that, instead of forced "conversation" online. It sucks.

My friends have met people through online dating, meetup groups and holidays. You are really young so just get out there as much as possible and it'll happen.

I met my boyfriends in my twenties through a mutual friend, because they lived next door to me, at two parties (at the second I agreed to go out), and whilst talking to a big issue seller on a night out (just walked up and asked me out and I thought why not? We were together 2 years). I met 2 people off OLD but I only realised they were people I had dismissed on there when we met in real life. One of them was a friend for a while, the other I dated but there was no chemistry, so I was right to have dismissed them initially TBH. I'm single now in my 30s and know that if I meet somebody now it will be when I absolutely least expect it (and probably not when it's convenient! It's normally when my life is its busiest and therefore I'm meeting the most people).