Chance of meeting someone without OLD

[Pancakemixx]

I am 32. My relationship with my children's dad didn't work out so last year we had the talk. I dated someone for many months who I met through my neighbour. But he turned out to be a compulsive liar. A cheat. Messed up and had an addictive personality. I got rid of him Monday.

Sitting her today. I'm not in a mega rush. But I like to think eventually I will find someone again and actually enjoy their company and click. But it seems like to meet anyone these days you need to be out in nightclubs or online dating.

Has anyone got any stories of how they met someone without having to go on tinder and stuff? Or am I doomed now. I go out walking along. Take my kids out. Me and my friend are starting to think about getting out more for a drink or meal as she's also single. I do go places in the day with friends for food. Shopping etc. But I'm guessing I won't meet someone on a dog walk in the local park lol?

The thought of online dating fills me with so much dread. I'm not overly confident. I am very happy chatting etc but the thought of getting dressed up and doing all the first impressions in a bar or restaurant makes me a bag of nerves. I'd like to have seen them in some shape or form first.

Help!

There used to be a thing about shopping maybe at a later time (say about 9/10 pm? Dont know if it still applies or not ,but apparently if they are single/looking have a basket not a trolley! You could do the same,maybe just get a few bits in anyway! Do you have anything like cubs /brownies for your LO to join ? Maybe some luck there.I had a friend who was a Teacher and dated a single dad,also someone who met their DH when they were parents of DC in the same class!

Pre OLD I used to meet men at parties and through organised group activities. I was in my 20s then and so there were plenty of single men to meet. Things like parties tend to drop off as you get older, or at least, consist of lots of couples and everyone is less likely to get drunk and try to hook up with someone.

I also used to go to evening classes a lot and there were men at a lot of these, though age ranges varied. I never went with the intent to meet a man, but I guess it's possible. My brother goes to a walking group regularly and has met women that way.

I imagine though it's trickier if you have a child as you need to arrange childcare.

My 22 year old dd and I were out together at a shop the other day and a guy working there offered her his number. She was aware he had been eyeing her up beforehand. She said no and I doubt he was interested a relationship as such, anyway. That's one issue with approaching someone at random.

You need to be thrown into a situation where there are loads of people you see regularly. If you work, work for a big company. If you can't work, get involved in something like volunteering, am-dram, a hobby group or meet-ups. I know it's probably not easy when you have small child/children though.

Ramblers?
www.ramblers.org.uk/

I've developed friendships by being a regular at stores, restaurants and shops. I am not looking to date, but just by going to the same places over and over you become familiar to people.

I met previous partners:

Work
Through friends
One was an old friend and has become more

Do any of your family and friends have a really nice male partner? They're the ones you should focus on - not for yourself! - but because nice guys tend to be friends with other nice guys.