Social restrictions to last a year - what does this mean for dating?

[Shineonyou]

If I want to start dating, guess it’s best to put it on hold for the rest of the year?

Surely it’s a waste of time unless you can meet dates face to face?

Means no dating really lol.

It's all very well talking about getting to know each other online but then how do you know if that person is simply looking for an online ego boost in the first place if you dont meet them fast?

I mean normally if they dont want to meet within a month, they are time wasters, only online to chat. But this way they may use you for ages for that before you can find out. So I wouldn't waste my time starting anything and potentially getting attached to someone only to find when the restrictions lift that they were stringing me along.

@Wanderlust21

Yeah, totally.

If the country is still in the kind of lock down whereby you cant meet anyone for a year dating will be the least of anyones problems

@HugeAckmansWife and @firebrand123 I’m n the same situation. I’m going to see my partner in the next two weeks no matter what the decision is. We’ve been really struggling. He’s not been out at all and I’ve been fully complying with the rules. But I can’t do any longer, I’ve gone proper mental.

Annoying isn't it! I met someone just before lockdown and we had a couple of dates and have been texting everyday since but I don't think he's going to wait around until 2021 to meet up again.

@Itsthesamehere

I think we all know that really, but it is ok sometimes to acknowledge the small stuff

Mascotte I think I will too.. Assuming he agrees, he's v cautious about 'rules'. The kids will be with their other parents for a period of time so it will literally be each of us, alone in our respective houses 10 mins from each other.

Measures will really depend on individuals. Things like bars and restaurants are unlikely to open before the end of the year in which case actually going on dates is going to e an almost impossibility.

But most people will have to go back to work and will be able to see family etc.

For those who are shielding or at risk however this is unlikely to be the case.

I’ve been with my DP for seven years but we don’t live together for logistical reasons and he lives 120 miles away. I am shielding though and I don’t anticipate seeing him or my family who live 100 miles in the opposite direction until next year at least or even until as long as it takes for a vaccination or effective treatment to be found.

But willomartha... he's some random you had a few dates with. If he cant wait to see you till this is over then probably wise to end it rather than put yourself and others at risk.

@HugeAckmansWife mine is a bit too, though fuelled by his grown up son who’s returned for luxury lockdown with dad 😂

Wanderlust21 calm down !! I'm not planning see him
Until it's perfectly safe to, if he's not prepared to wait he can do one !!!

It’s clear you don’t date. I’m sure most peope aren’t that desperate that they would risk catching this vile disease

Yup. I think most of us have got that.

To be honest, if I were dating I’d probably risk it soon.

Life just can’t go on like this

@FakeFraudSquad just wanted to say you never know what will happen and it can definitely happen at 38 - after being single for more than 10 years I met someone age 38 and got pregnant within a few months. I really hope you find your person!

I'm the same as in I'll give it a few more weeks then I prob will see my boyfriend. I've stuck to the rules and so has he, but as he lives alone the risk is minimal. I've got a high risk of being made redundant from this and my anxiety is going crazy, to have a hug from him would help massively. FaceTime isn't the same

Thank you @mswales I really hope that will be the case. I’m so glad things worked out for you.

Finding things very hard with new DP. Met in January and had several dates including a weekend away before lockdown. So far, we've obeyed the rules but missing each other terribly. Messaging every day and Saturday night date nights by video chat.
We've agreed that we'll see each other on 15 May no matter what the lockdown position. I think it'll become impossible to maintain the relationship otherwise.

Saw lockdown social pods on another thread. Sounds a great plan.

I think a lot depends on the risks as to whether lockdown continues in the same way.

E.g.keeping everyone at home in the long term is unsustainable but reducing essential travel is not.

Equally if people are required to stay home who is that for? I.e.I have a serious heart condition and if I catch COVID I am very unlikely to survive. So staying home is there to protect me from catching it and as such it would be foolish of me to take a risk which literally could cost my life,as hard as that is.

In terms of people who aren’t already dating, I think common sense needs to prevail, going on numerous dates with numerous people just isn’t that workable ATM,given restaurants etc are closed,and a walk in the park really isn’t going to give you a good idea of what kind of person they are. So if you’re not dating, then I wouldn’t start now.

And the sensible men won’t be dating either so they’ll still be there when the time comes.