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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Dating Thread 206 - picking up tradesmen aswell as dates

992 replies

Dancerinthemoonlight · 14/06/2021 16:07

The Rules:

  1. The first rule about the dating thread is don't talk about it with people you're dating.
  2. Develop a thick skin.
  3. Do not invest emotionally too soon.
  4. It's all BS until it actually happens.
  5. Trust your gut instinct.
  6. People vanishing, lying & being generally weird is not your fault.
  7. Know your worth.
  8. If it's not fun, stop.
  9. Loo update is mandatory.
10. No dating the thread. 11. Treat others as you'd like to be treated 12. Any relationship you have that could get ruined by having a conversation about your feelings, standards and/or expectations wasn't really stable enough to begin with 13. The things you choose to ignore/ tolerate now are the reasons you will break up in the future 14. OLD can get very time consuming. Keep doing other activities you enjoy.

Optional: Please give your irons (potential dates you are talking to) nicknames like Mr Scottish. Initials are allowed (Mr S) when you are an item

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
HeReWeGoAgAiN1112 · 19/06/2021 09:59

First phone call with Mr GeekChic last night. 2 hours and then it got late. Time flew by! He has a lovely voice, articulate, good chat so positive so far.

We are meeting on Tuesday at 11am so I’m looking forward to that.

Eesha · 19/06/2021 10:03

@OnwardsEverStridingOnwards i wouldn't meet him at home. You genuinely don't know enough about him to make that call. Just suggest somewhere outside which suits you both.

@LuckyLinda3 great advice here. I would be hurt too on your behalf after that but a conversation would help clear it up for the both of you. He may also be wondering why you were on too. I wouldn't mention snooping but I'd ask whether this was exclusive at present in his eyes.

Eesha · 19/06/2021 10:08

Not much on my side, i had a call with Mr Intense who proved to be just so plus uninterested in me. He said he didn't believe in people having personalities, it was something fake they projected to the world. I didn't have a clue either.

BelladiMamma · 19/06/2021 11:50

@Eesha

Not much on my side, i had a call with Mr Intense who proved to be just so plus uninterested in me. He said he didn't believe in people having personalities, it was something fake they projected to the world. I didn't have a clue either.
Ah revoir Monsieur Intense, back into the sea you go ...
OnwardsEverStridingOnwards · 19/06/2021 12:31

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your all your posts yesterday.

I've unmatched him. I don't think we were going to be compatible anyway, to be frank. He's very much a outdoor kind of guy who likes country walks, and I'm not really that kind of person.

So far, I've had a guy just ask for my instagram straight away. (There was a fault with my photos, but after I fixed it, he claimed he still couldn't see them)

I don't like giving irons my social media straight away as I find that so many of them are just looking for 'followers' and mostly they just like your pictures and don't do anything to actually ask you out, ( my experience with Mr. Fit reflects this,) So he's gone.

I had a weirdo matching with me last night and his opening gambit was 'do you want to make a mistake tonight?' (no idea what that's supposed to mean) then he asked where I lived and he was generally giving me the creeps, so I unmatched promptly.

Hey ho, there's plenty more men for me to meet! ❤️

LuckyLinda3 · 19/06/2021 12:33

@Eesha thank you! Yes I think that's what I'll do. He video called me last night and we chatted for ages and he asked if I considered myself single or in a relationship and I said single and he seemed upset so maybe we both need this conversation!

bangheadhere40 · 19/06/2021 12:39

I've been swiping younger the last few days and seem to be getting more matches, I've always gone older but there's a few younger ones who've not turned into potatoes just yet.

Nothing amazing to report...the intense one who wanted to call and kept leaving voice notes asked me out tomorrow but I'm not feeling it, too intense.

Chatted again to Mr Normal last night but not heard from him today, sooo tedious!

bangheadhere40 · 19/06/2021 12:59

Out if interest what ages are you all swiping on compared to your age? I'm very nearly 40 and have always looked to go 40 - 48 but now widening my age area down to 35 to see what happens!

SpringlikeBunk · 19/06/2021 13:02

Quite enjoying my little foray into fab - definitely would NOT recommend unless you have rock hard boundaries.

Have arranged a social meet with someone to check them over Grin

Heartbeats0708 · 19/06/2021 13:15

@bangheadhere40 I tend to go 5 years either way, generally had more success with younger though Mr D is 2 years older.
@SpringlikeBunk good luck! Fab can be so much fun if you are resilient and like you said, strong boundaries!

SpringlikeBunk · 19/06/2021 13:52

Thanks @Heartbeats0708

Any of the experienced fabbers have any tips on early contact?

Thus far I have no public photos, sending to guys if the message is ok and they look ok.

Not really sure about chatting via phone as I don’t want my WhatsApp blown up with chats/photo requests . I’d rather get in person contacts than just phone sexting ones so working from there

Wondering if it’s worth doing a search myself as I’m just working off guys who contact me for now.

Assume I’m correct in thinking there’s loads of guys on Fab so can be princessy and pick and choose and make it as mega convenient for me as possible?

Slothmomma · 19/06/2021 14:00

@bangheadhere40 I tend to set 5 years either side too. MrHair is a year older.

Heartbeats0708 · 19/06/2021 14:32

The men definitely outweigh the women @SpringlikeBunk so you can afford to be choosy. My preferred way to find people was to browse the forums and see what people contributed to threads, if I liked the sound of what they were saying I'd "wink" them and see if they messaged.
In terms of early contact, just decide for yourself what you're comfortable with and stick with it. If you don't want to do nudes/sexting then you don't need to. Some discussion of preferences and/or limits is pretty standard though. Plus the "what exactly are you looking for?" conversation is often useful- it really can vary.
I think it's more a concern for men (that other men are faking being women) but I'd definitely want a phonecall/"live" picture to check for catfishes and fakes.
I'm sure there's more,that's just off the top of my head!

SpringlikeBunk · 19/06/2021 15:01

Thanks @Heartbeats0708 I haven't been THAT specific with the guy I'm thinking of meeting (looks similar to myself really - professional single thirty something not wanting to get into a relationship due to life circumstances right now).

And I don't want to get into sexting stuff in advance. So I haven't given my whatsapp details.

He's said he's fine hosting/accommodating and close to me. Just hope he's ok when we meet. I think I'll ask not to discuss stuff AT the meet and just to message afterwards?

Like normally I'm kind of judging men on boyfriend potential but for this I guess the criteria is different - in a way it's better if he doesn't tick a couple of boxes as that makes it more detached.

Just my luck, seems like EVERYONE is messaging me today!

Definitely going to try to keep connecting/meeting people for mates or chat (or fabbing!) as otherwise I go down the "overthinking/slight social anxiety/obsessing over one date" rabbit hole.

bangheadhere40 · 19/06/2021 16:47

My 3 month wonder iron I was sad about earlier in the week I've noticed has now unblocked me.

Why?!?! Why not just keep me blocked...makes me think he's trying to get me to message him but I could be overthinking this. He's probably surprised I've not been in touch and have kept silent the last few weeks.

It's so pathetic. If he does return I might just lay everything on the table, that I'm not going along being his little penpal and he either pisses or gets off the pot permanently. If I can get the courage.

VanGoghsDog · 19/06/2021 17:07

@SpringlikeBunk

I didn't find men on Fab wanted sexting any more than any other men, in fact less in some ways - it's more honest. But I did it for a while years ago and I got a bit jaded. I've just set up an account to have a nose around (no photos) and literally have 25 messages in three minutes.

Just tell them you don't want loads of sexting and just want to meet up for a drink and decide from there what you both want to do. I used to meet at my local pub (am sure the landlord thought I was a prostitute) and then just ask them to come home with me if I wanted to, every single one I asked did, I turned down some but none turned me down.
I don't think there is much different about the men on there than men anywhere else, same proportion of nutters and time wasters, so just treat them accordingly and bin off those who don't meet your needs or who push your boundaries (I found far fewer did that on Fab than on a dating site).

I miss my FB, I need a good seeing to, I think I'm going to contact him soon and see what he's up to. It's been a few years since I was in contact with him.

SpringlikeBunk · 19/06/2021 17:10

@bangheadhere40

Can you just delete the number so you don’t see it?

It’s bad for emotional health to be entangled with someone playing games in this way.

I think if we’ve had a three month wonder we’re emotionally connected to it’s natural to feel a bit of a pang for them (I won’t suggest meeting just now but was quite happy to see MrC back on tinder so I can flirt with my handsome ex-iron Blush)

But if it’s got to the game playing stage then really best to go NC

Some people are very good at pressing emotional buttons via text/chat/drawing people in and it’s like a drug - this guy sounds the same.

bangheadhere40 · 19/06/2021 17:16

Yes good advice spring. I'm just not sure if it's a game to him or not really but it's not a game I like playing.

You always give good advice! I do feel entangled with him still but haven't acted on these feelings.

In other news since making my age range younger I'm getting matched with some young hotties on tinder.

VanGoghsDog · 19/06/2021 17:26

@BelladiMamma

MrWG didn't talk about the ED issue, I suspect he is frustrated by it. he has alluded to it pre the bedroom antics so I wasn't at all surprised.

He mentioned the viagra.

He has some medical training so he's pretty pragmatic about most medical things but obviously this is something quite tricky. It's obviously not a physical issue if he can get an erection and complete from BJ etc, it's clearly a mental issue, he did mention some 'mental blocks'. His ex wife did a real number on him and I do wonder if it's connected to that. Plus he has this kink, though I'm not sure even if that was fulfilled if he'd have an erection for PIV sex.
We do need to talk about it more, my view is that he should get some counselling but, while he'd probably be theoretically open to that, I suspect he would not find the time, would not prioritise it. He's so busy I do wonder if he fills up his life to hide from 'problems'. As well as his ex wife's behaviour I can feel there is something in his past, with his family dynamic, that is in his head, I can't quite tell what and it's not really my business - I don't want to tell him about my abusive father so there's no reason he should tell me about his past. I want to keep things 'light' for now.
But it's not up to me to solve his problem.

My last bf had ED issues and he was aggressive about it, constantly referring to it which in some ways was worse than just accepting it - he'd say "how's my erection" and pull at himself, which I dunno, I just felt was a bit much. One time he was mowing my lawn and I asked if he'd like a beer and he snapped at me "No! I need to maximise erection opportunities" quite loudly, anyone could have heard him, it was mortifying!
So there's 'talking about it' and 'talking about it'!

Heartbeats0708 · 19/06/2021 17:28

This is exactly what I was trying to say
I don't think there is much different about the men on there than men anywhere else, same proportion of nutters and time wasters, so just treat them accordingly and bin off those who don't meet your needs or who push your boundaries (I found far fewer did that on Fab than on a dating site)
But @VanGoghsDog worded it much better than I could think of!

SpringlikeBunk · 19/06/2021 17:33

Thanks @VanGoghsDog and @Heartbeats0708 Flowers

SpringlikeBunk · 19/06/2021 17:44

@bangheadhere40

I have had a few younger guys I've matched with immediately bring up the age difference (as in "do you like younger guys then? You don't look your age are you really my age?" - all my photos are within last year) which is a bit cringe/uncouth/makes me self-conscious.

But I guess fielding stinging/cringeworthy comments is the app communication norm anyway.

I'm WhatsApp chatting with a nice twenty something who is 8 years younger.

BelladiMamma · 19/06/2021 18:04

[quote VanGoghsDog]@BelladiMamma

MrWG didn't talk about the ED issue, I suspect he is frustrated by it. he has alluded to it pre the bedroom antics so I wasn't at all surprised.

He mentioned the viagra.

He has some medical training so he's pretty pragmatic about most medical things but obviously this is something quite tricky. It's obviously not a physical issue if he can get an erection and complete from BJ etc, it's clearly a mental issue, he did mention some 'mental blocks'. His ex wife did a real number on him and I do wonder if it's connected to that. Plus he has this kink, though I'm not sure even if that was fulfilled if he'd have an erection for PIV sex.
We do need to talk about it more, my view is that he should get some counselling but, while he'd probably be theoretically open to that, I suspect he would not find the time, would not prioritise it. He's so busy I do wonder if he fills up his life to hide from 'problems'. As well as his ex wife's behaviour I can feel there is something in his past, with his family dynamic, that is in his head, I can't quite tell what and it's not really my business - I don't want to tell him about my abusive father so there's no reason he should tell me about his past. I want to keep things 'light' for now.
But it's not up to me to solve his problem.

My last bf had ED issues and he was aggressive about it, constantly referring to it which in some ways was worse than just accepting it - he'd say "how's my erection" and pull at himself, which I dunno, I just felt was a bit much. One time he was mowing my lawn and I asked if he'd like a beer and he snapped at me "No! I need to maximise erection opportunities" quite loudly, anyone could have heard him, it was mortifying!
So there's 'talking about it' and 'talking about it'![/quote]
It's early days isn't it. So figuring out how he's going to deal with it and if it bothers either of you will come out in the wash. You seem to have a healthy approach to all your irons and it'll be interesting to see if WG will respond in kind. It's all about mindset isn't it, and from your description he sounds like he's a pragmatist about most things.

As for your ex and the erection outburst in the garden ... couldn't help finding that amusing 😃 ...

My ex was a workaholic, a true pathological case and somehow I felt like you, that the compulsion to be always busy and always 'on' was to hide something or keep something at bay. In the end I found that tiring and unsatisfying in a relationship. Plus it was a sh1t relationship with flashes of brilliance which kept me hooked. Am definitely trying to deal with my issues now, as I think as I was happy to be kept at a distance - sexually and in many other ways. Now, not so much. I need healthy communication!

Sorry that turned into a 'me' post. I find it really hard to be objective with sharing thoughts if it's something I've lived through as well.

BelladiMamma · 19/06/2021 18:05

[quote SpringlikeBunk]@bangheadhere40

I have had a few younger guys I've matched with immediately bring up the age difference (as in "do you like younger guys then? You don't look your age are you really my age?" - all my photos are within last year) which is a bit cringe/uncouth/makes me self-conscious.

But I guess fielding stinging/cringeworthy comments is the app communication norm anyway.

I'm WhatsApp chatting with a nice twenty something who is 8 years younger.[/quote]
I got a lot of that then they turned out to be very flaky

SpringlikeBunk · 19/06/2021 18:41

@BelladiMamma

Yes reliability is so important isn't it?

I'm definitely making a stance against overfunctioning/overchasing/feeling my schedule is being put out by someone.

I've got a few younger "want to hang" types who basically seem to be suggesting I have WhatsApp on red alert for a few days and "kind of plan to intercept".

I had one Bumble chat where the guy asked what I was doing this weekend, I'd said maybe the cinema, and then he replied with "cinema is too much for a first meet, let's do coffee".

So I unmatched him as that seemed very arrogant and not actually that funny.

Last night was textbook good timing good planning - not too many messages apart from confirming train times etc, my date checked the time to ensure we left the bar to get to the restaurant and I kind of just zoned out on drinks and nice food and chilled a bit.

The guy I'm chatting to seems quite polite and measured and ...normal....so we shall see, but I won't "hugely chase for the date."