I asked for a seamstress and got a date instead

[IateAllTheGaribaldis]

I posted on a Facebook group last week looking for a seamstress and got a friends request from a local-ish chap who saw the post. He can't / doesn't sew btw.

Long story short after a bit of lighthearted banter back and forth he's taking me for dinner this evening.

He comes across well so far. He seems intelligent, good sense of humour. He isn't texting all day like previous Internet dates would. We chatted for an hour, he asked me out and the date was set. A couple of texts this morning to confirm and here we are.

It's just a bit random isn't it! Do you think it's daft of me to go? Would you mind being approached this way?

That is so weird! How did he notice what you'd written? Was there something in your profile that you both had in common?

He just said that he saw my post (and as a result my profile picture) in the group. It's a community-type group where people post local news, events and recommendations etc.

We have no mutual friends in common or anything like that 😬

So long as it’s a public place you meet it’s no more random than meeting in bar 30 years ago. Technology has changed the world.

I think it sounds like a good way to have met someone!
Definitely go on the date, and let us know how it goes 🙂

He sounds a bit opportunistic. I'd be wondering if he was often on the prowl, or possibly didn't respect peoples boundaries. Or just generally looking fitness everywhere he goes. I'm not saying don't go but... I'd be wary and guarded.

Looking for sex* that should say 🙄😁

Have fun

Thats a good point!

Yes we're meeting at the restaurant / bar.

I'm worried about not knowing what to say or awkward silences. I wasn't actively looking to date at the moment so I'm not in "date mode" iykwim?

What on earth do you say to somebody you've only chatted with, very very briefly, online?

I've met a couple of people online before, years ago, but that felt different as I was on a dating app and those ones text alot, a bit too much perhaps.

Eee. I might just be a bit nervous.

Similar happened to me, OP. I posted in my local group asking if someone could alter my jacket... that's where the similarity ends.

I just got 2 middle aged nice women messaging me back offering to alter the
jacket and stating their fees. Where did I go wrong?

This made me chuckle.

I think you did everything right 😁

Erm….I see posts on Facebook groups all the time that are random blokes (who don’t seem like they have a connection to the group interest - ie it’s a knitting group but they no nothing about knitting) asking “can I send you a friend request?” or “can I PM you?”.
They are usually scammers.
BE CAREFUL AND DON’T GIVE HIM YOUR BANK DETAILS !

Oo heck. I'll bare that in mind, thank you.

I definitely won't be giving bank details or anything else.

Yes, I agree.

How is that migraine coming on ? This sounds dodgy as hell….

Ha its funny you should say that as I actually do suffer from chronic migraine

Going on a date with this guy is a crazy thing to do. Most people would ignore a message like that and/or block the sender. For good reason.

Yeah most people would see this for what it is ... I get it ALL THE TIME if I post in several groups I'm in or on the Words With Friends page, merely requesting some extra games

Is he real? Have you spoken with voices? Can you see his Facebook profile?

It wasn't a message that read something like 'I've just stumbled across your profile and I don't normally do this but you're stunning etc etc' is it? I see a lot of those about.

If he's local and you're meeting in public then maybe fine but I would be hyper vigilant.

Going on a date with this guy is a crazy thing to do. Most people would ignore a message like that and/or block the sender. For good reason.

I agree with this. OP, Facebook and other social media is full of men that do this. He sounds like one of those creepy men. Sorry, but I’d be cancelling and improving my knowledge of how to stay safe online including well known tactics these weirdos use.

I'd go for it OP, maybe it's fate!

Tell somebody where you're going. Share your location with them on WhatsApp so they can see where you are, make sure it's a public space and just relax and enjoy!

Keep us posted because I really hope for your sake it's a pleasant twist of fate and things work out for you both.

Obviously exercise a lot of caution and be careful what you drink etc

Maybe temporarily add your phone to a friends 'Find my phone' function in case it all goes horribly wrong. I'm clearly watching too much Criminal Minds but beware the charmer

Go for it, but don't go with any expectations at all, as it's a long shot, and make plans for a sharp exit if he turns out to be dodgy (and I'm afraid there's a high probability of this I'm afraid)

If he was a decent guy, he'd likely be doing ok on the dating app scene, but you only live once, so why not.

And watch your drink like a hawk!

If he is real, this would raise major red flags for me. This won’t be the first time he’s added a random woman from a local fb group and probably won’t be his last.

I wonder how often he does it. I always delete random friend requests or messages and have though of men who do this as opportunists.

Go on the date if you're happy being approached like that but I'd be wary. Hopefully I'm just being too negative and he turns out to be a decent bloke.