Dating ideas for tier 2?

[flowersrain]

I'm pretty gutted about the new tier system, we seem to be in a worse place now than pre lockdown.

I'm trying to move on from a break up and I'm keen to get out and meet new people asap but lockdown has hindered this. I was hoping that the lifting of the restrictions would help but I don't know how it is really going to be possible to go on dates.

I've been on walking dates but they're just not the same - little eye contact etc means it's difficult to know if you get a connection with someone.

Is anyone in the same boat as me and does anyone have any ideas for how to tackle this? I'm 30 and I don't feel like I have time to wait around for restrictions to be lifted (God knows when that will be!).

Walking in a park is good if there is any kind of wildlife - you don't have to be marching along, and you can always stop on a bench with a takeaway coffee.

Lots of places are going to have outdoor seating for food and drink so you can just grab a table outside a cafe.

art gallery? museum?

@Palavah thanks, I suppose you're right - there are other options, I just find the idea of a bar and drinks so much more preferable - a bit of atmosphere and alcohol to loosen things, you know?

I'm also concerned that guys won't be bothering with the apps now because of the rules, and that those that are probably just want to while away the boredom as opposed to meet etc.

I am genuinely concerned that I will never be able to meet anyone. Online dating is hard enough as it is - it took me years to meet my ex - and with all this thrown in it just seems impossible.

yes, I completely get you. Can you do a winter picnic? take a bottle of wine, a couple of blankets and get some hot food to takeaway/delivered and sit in a park?

I haven't been on the apps for a few months now so I'm not sure what the vibes are but I can only imagine that the people who are serious are still serious, more than ever.

Nah. I find a dinner and drinks date too intense and that was pre lockdown. Total stranger sit down and make conversation face to face.

Much better to walk around and have things to look at and talk about.

A zoo, a botanical garden, followed by sitting down outside with a nice hot chocolate or coffee.

To me that is better than a boring old drinks date

the other observation I have - and I think this is really tricky - is that it is really hard to get a sense of people just now. I would have so little chat on a date, as I haven't done much to be talking about and nor have lots of other people!

But, if you can be someone who has interesting things to talk about, and who can find the fun in what is, for most people, a shitty year, then you would be a catch for anyone.

@Palavah I know I'm a catch! It's just finding a guy who is too...there are so many guys on the apps who are timewasters, not looking for a relationship, just want a pen pal or who are just plain weird. It's so hard.

of course you are! sorry, I meant it will be more obvious that you are a catch.

I get it - have you tried a paid app, or a matchmaking service? I wondered whether they would weed out some of the timewasting.

Sadly I think 2020 has made many of us quite flakey, and second-guess what we're looking for.

@Palavah thanks for the suggestions, I have been considering a paid app - do you know any that are any good?

Not from experience, sorry. Are you on the online dating thread on this relationships board? There seems to be a lot of experience there.

Feeling much the same, soon to be 29 here.

Video calls and walking dates (if its actually possible to schedule during daylight hours) only for now.

Pubs that sell food will be open in tier 2 op. And other such places - cafes, restaurants....with outside areas if nec. I do think choosing the OLD site/app is key too. Google introduction agencies or sites that are more specific, rather than general cattle markets. It's a difficult time though so don't beat yourself up. There may be a flurry once lockdown is lifted or people might just be waiting till next spring.

@Palavah I will check out the online dating thread, thanks. I hope there are some success stories on there - at the moment all the guys I am coming across only want something casual/just want to chat and not meet/arrange to meet and then ghost!

@PizzaForOne it's hard isn't it? I've done video calls but I just don't find them the same. How is it going for you?

@Feminem thanks for your advice - I think I may have to use a paid site in the new year. I don't really want to pay for one now when the dating options are limited. It's such a difficult time but I also don't feel that I have time to waste when it comes to meeting a partner, it's so tricky.