@Slothmomma and @Definitelycross are you doing phone calls before all of these first dates?
I insist on them to screen out the incompatibles (and for me personally that was those who didn't make me laugh or ask a single question about me).
In my first phase of dating I'd do the phone call, think 'That was pleasant but meh' and then still sodding well meet them for a date anyway. Mainly because they looked hot and I fancied sex or gave them the benefit of the doubt.
Phase two saw me much more stringent after initial phone chat and declining date 1 if the initial chat hadn't ticked all the important boxes (and again FOR ME that was things like had kids and had not moved away from them, had lived other places than where they were born, liked the same cultural things as me and made me laugh, asked about me etc etc etc)
The proceeding to Date 1 with those who truly made the cut (and I've been shouted down on here before for being so methodical but I do hold an actual list of must-haves and must-not haves including 'Must find me desirable and interesting and funny') meant that the of the 6 dates I had between this time last year 4 proceeded into enjoyable romantic experiences and one of them being my fantastic new love MrM.
Hope this helps in some way. Just trying to work out why you are getting the quantity but not the quality. I feel sure you are not setting the bar at the right height or screening out the ones that are obviously not a great match for you?
@NoDatingForOldMen was that NoShow who rang or another Ex? What is she after do you think?