Should I try online dating even though it doesn't feel right?

[Fred92]

So I'm 29 and have never had a girlfriend before but I want one very much.

It's hard to explain but I don't really like the idea of having a girlfriend that I met online. All my life I have felt that you are supposed to meet somebody by accident, at work or through a friend or at college etc. That's how it was with my parents, grandparents, great grandparents. It just feels like the natural way and how it should be.

If I had a Girlfriend/wife in the future it would feel weird telling people that we met on match.com.

However it hasn't happened and I don't think it will. It could be that online dating is the only way.

I try my best to mix with people but no luck.

Do you understand where I'm coming from or am I being strange and worrying about nothing?

What do you think I should do?

Thank you

It makes sense to me, I have the same kind of reservations about online. I'd try some new things to meet people in real life first. How about a new hobby, or try Meetup.com or ask friends to set you up with someone?

@mintywinter I use meetup and facebook social groups. What's strange is that there are too few young or middle aged Women that turn up. It's typically only young men, old men and old women.

It's tricky. But there must be lots of women in your age range who are looking. How about something like an evening class or other course?

I would go for it!!! I meet my partner OLD, and we are very happy. I would say though, don't be afraid to block people as you will get some weirdos and just be yourself. Good luck I hope it goes well for you

I totally get it OP

what about speed dating? If I decide to date in future I will probably do that.

So many people meet online these days. There’s nothing weird about it. We all spend half our lives online so of course it’s a big part of dating too. You can always tell people you met in a pub or wherever your first date is, as technically that will be true!

I know how you feel, but there are some real bonuses to meeting online. In the real world you don’t know if someone is looking, open to a relationship, just wants casual, has kids, is a smoker, what kind of hobbies, music etc they’re into. Whether their spelling and grammar is off-putting etc

With OLD you get a head start on all that.

And then you can check for chemistry and conversation when you meet up, which you want to do quite quickly to avoid getting over invested in an idea.

If your only concern is what people would think if they knew you met online, I wouldn't worry.

Maybe 10-15 years ago it would've raised an eyebrow but now the stigma has gone. Probably the most common answer to that question these days