How many here are single, open to meeting someone but not doing OLD?

[TossaCoinToYerWitcher]

Just wondered. As a single bloke, it often seems that if you're not doing OLD you're missing out on meeting the right person, as that'll be where any single person looking for a relationship will be. But maybe that's not the case?

Yes I would fit into this category.

I really want to meet someone, i've tried OLD, it isn't for me, I just cannot. I'm not giving in on my meet cute moment (but the realistic part of me will probably reactivate accounts soon).

I'd like to meet someone... but I can't face OLD. What do I as a newly 50 yo?!

[quote OnlyMsLonely]@TheFormidableMrsC that's exactly where I was a few years ago (single parent 100% of the time). It's tough - I empathise![/quote]
It's really rubbish. I had a baby late for my ex-h as he decided after nearly 12 years of marriage it was what he wanted most. The reality of it was not what he wanted and he had an affair and left when my son was 2. I'm 52 almost with a just turned 10 year old. That makes things difficult. Son is also autistic. None of it makes for an easy dating situation but I'm a good looking woman I'm told, young for my age, fit etc. However you can't advertise your good points while walking round Sainsburys or on the school run. So frustrating!

Yep me too

If you want to meet people naturally the best way is through hobby groups that you can find on the website meetup.

Done OLD, meet some interesting folk, been on my own 20 years, at 59 not much hope.
Bit depressing

I meet my partner on old after sifting through the liars/married, couldn't be happier, it's can be a headache but there are good ones there, meet some nice guys, but no spark sadly, I'd say it's not all bad

how do I meet people?
I live in a town where I know a lot of people 'cause I grew up here. I go out, I socialise and I talk to people - obviously that's been dampened somewhat in the last 18mnths, the last winter lockdown was grim as many will agree.

anyways that aside, how would 5'4" go down on a dating website?
Obviously I prefer to meet people in the flesh first time around then I can be seen for who I really am rather than be judged by a statistic.

I'm a single woman. I am perfectly happy alone but I'd be open to meeting someone if they were really worth it. No way would I go actively searching for someone or advertising myself like a product, the idea gives me the ick! For me to develop an attraction to anybody things need to happen in a natural way, OLD is just too contrived.

Same here , tried OLD before absolutely hated it
Don't go very far though so unlikely to meet anyone IRL but live in eternal hope that maybe just maybe there's a decent bloke out there with my name on 🤭

Me I suppose. If I met someone in real life I’d probably be open to dating. Although I have Tinder, I don’t use it anymore cos I’m just not bothered enough to actively look for someone. I’m happily single and in no hurry to change that. But if I met and clicked with someone nice in real life I’d probably be up for dating.

@butterfly990

If you want to meet people naturally the best way is through hobby groups that you can find on the website meetup.

See, I tried that, and the only men who show up to these things are married ones who've been dragged along by their wives. I suppose I could join a very male-centric group but a) it would be obvious why I was there and I do still value my dignity and b) I'm not convinced that men doing a man hobby together actually want women there. I know how I'd feel about a man who showed up at, say, my feminist book club, who hadn't read book and didn't show any interest in feminism, but was clearly only there on the pull.

I think the whole OLD thing has actually put me off in general, been single a while so it was a bit of a shock to find that even after I had whittled out the very obvious trash .. I was still love bombed , offered dick pics 🤢, accused of being frigid when I didn't invite him to mine at 11pm one night , and just really disappointed
The internet has a lot to answer for

Me too! But how do you meet someone without doing OLD? Especially during the pandemic when you couldn't meet anyway. I'm an oldie and been doing OLD on and off for years without lasting success. I can confirm it's still just as difficult to navigate the liars, fakers, perverts and just plain boring and dull men that are on the sites. I've pretty much given up now but think it's a shame as there must be some decent and interesting men out there somewhere...but where?

Do none of you get approached in work or normal day to day activities, I realise the last 18 months won't have helped, but before that?

@PumpkinKlNG love the user name. Is it a nod to Skellington?

Same. Would rather be single than try to use those apps.

I’m single after 25 years (gulp!). It’s so strange as I’m sure I’m not older than 22 but there you go!
I work in a place where meeting someone is not an option. Some of my friends have told me to go on dates but the thought of it terrifies me! I just don’t want to right now! I’m like most of you and would really hope to meet someone organically.
My ex has a new partner. Apparently met her very quickly after we split .
I think if you’re really desperate you could probably meet someone but if you are after quality it will take a while.

Me.

I meet lots of men in real life but none of them are interested 🤷🏻‍♀️

I keep wondering if there are any (old fashioned?) dating agencies where you go and meet them and get interviewed by the company. They find out what you are like and what you are looking for.

Then they match you with other people on their books who they think you will suit.

Do those sort of places still exist? It seems less meat marketish and more personal. Also less time consuming and potentially more successful .

I’m single after 25 years (gulp!). It’s so strange as I’m sure I’m not older than 22 but there you go!

Me too. Married 97, separated 3 years.

I did meet someone lovely at a funeral of all places, but he's not an option at the moment. Pity!

in 97 not 97 years 🤣

Me. Not opposed to meeting somebody but it would never be somebody I met online. I tried it in my forties and it was grim. A lot of men roughly my own age wasted my time but they had no intention of seriously dating somebody their own age when they could keep messaging other women ad infinitum. I did meet somebody lovely at work which restored my faith in meeting somebody in real life. That dwindled during covid but I know now, if I meet anybody, it'll be real life. OLD is just horrible for women. I'm 51 now so if I were to go online the only men who'd ask me out would be my parents age!

@Chamomileteaplease

I keep wondering if there are any (old fashioned?) dating agencies where you go and meet them and get interviewed by the company. They find out what you are like and what you are looking for.

Then they match you with other people on their books who they think you will suit.

Do those sort of places still exist? It seems less meat marketish and more personal. Also less time consuming and potentially more successful .

I wondered about this. But I think only women would approach them. Men don't really want to date in their lane. Men want a platform where they can message a thousand women half their age.

But I had the same idea as you, you go and you meet somebody canny in real life, they get a sense of you... match you with somebody they could visualise you with.

Thing is though, if 90% of the clientele are women, then it's back to the same power imbalance with men calling all the shots.