Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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 is awful

221 replies

Corastiredmummy · 21/07/2023 22:02

Just wondered how many other women in their late 30s absolutely despise dating in this era?
It seems most men just want you to either send them naked pictures or go on a first 'date' at their house. That is not date. That is a scene from a movie where the woman doesn't return home.
Guys on dating apps are total time wasters, or you meet them and they don't look like their pictures (and you've made an effort with hair washing/doing your makeup).
I'm 38, I look after myself very well, I'm successful....but sadly I live in Hull and it seems most of the men here are not at all what I'm after. I'm so over it :(

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Thisisworsethananticpated · 22/07/2023 09:07

arethereanyleftatall

i used to be on the dating thread and one poster Made a snide comment about casual sex as I was talking about a FWB I had at the time
fucking bitch !

fact is for women sex is very very easy to get online

and actually ironically it’s less easy for men

so noones winning
and polarised opinions on either gender doesn’t help

Misspinkdiditinthelibrary · 22/07/2023 09:11

@sammylady37 You seem to think women should withhold sex and that this will force men to act differently. So sex is transactional to you. What it is exchanged for varies. What’s that you were saying about escorts and prostitutes?

That's pretty insulting to someone who has a different point of view to yourself.

Avoiding going to a strange man's house for sex isn't being transactional, it is sound common sense. Likewise not getting into a sexual relationship until you know the guy pretty well.

https://www.joe.co.uk/news/16-year-old-girl-found-dead-after-going-to-meet-an-online-date-108021

https://saferdate.co.uk/the-truth-about-online-dating-murders/

The Truth About Online Dating Murders | Tinder Murders | Grindr Murders | POF Murders

The Truth About Online Dating Murders

Online dating murders are happening more and more, and the truth is that a simple change could've prevented so many deaths. Find out the truth here.

https://saferdate.co.uk/the-truth-about-online-dating-murders

Misspinkdiditinthelibrary · 22/07/2023 09:16

arethereanyleftatall · 22/07/2023 08:59

Oh god, I'm reading more of the ops further comments now. Awful. It's you op.

And what about the OP's comments do you take issue with?

Can you accept that others are entitled to have a different opinion to you?

Pissedoffandcovidy · 22/07/2023 09:24

@Misspinkdiditinthelibrary maybe the parts where she calls other women loose, judges their lifestyle and equates them to prostitutes? People are entitled to their opinions, other people are fully entitled to believe those opinions are awful.

sammylady37 · 22/07/2023 09:24

@sammylady37 You seem to think women should withhold sex and that this will force men to act differently. So sex is transactional to you. What it is exchanged for varies. What’s that you were saying about escorts and prostitutes?*

That's pretty insulting to someone who has a different point of view to yourself.

Avoiding going to a strange man's house for sex isn't being transactional, it is sound common sense. Likewise not getting into a sexual relationship until you know the guy pretty well*

And the op hasn’t been insulting to others who view sex differently to her? Yet you didn’t call her out on that, funnily enough.

The op is clearly bemoaning loose women who have sex too easily/early as this means men don’t have to make an effort/up their game/become exclusive etc. The op feels this is why she is not having success on online dating. Clearly insinuating that withholding sex (or not being a loose woman) will force men to change their behaviour. Seems pretty transactional to me.

Some women like to have sex early because they like sex. Some women like to have sex early because they want to establish if they’re sexually compatible with the man before investing time in building a relationship. Having sex is risky, whether you know the man or not. Being alone with a man is risky, whether you know him or not. Most women who are murdered are murdered by a current or ex partner, not a random stranger. People do their own risk-assessments and make their decisions, as they do for pretty much everything in life.

Foxblue · 22/07/2023 09:26

@ilyana fantastic and depressingly true post - women will say 'that's not true in my experience at all' and I think great, but go into 3 pubs and sit for an hour in each and tell me that this assessment is wrong!

arethereanyleftatall · 22/07/2023 09:35

Spot on @sammylady37

Thisisworsethananticpated · 22/07/2023 09:42

Misspinkdiditinthelibrary

ffs . We all read the news
we all know this shit happens
no need to post a news link to prove your point

but many women have enough experience to vet and assess for safety
myself included

DrSbaitso · 22/07/2023 09:51

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

SpaceRaiders · 22/07/2023 09:55

I have to agree with @ilyana I’m nearly 38 and at this point I’d rather remain single for the rest of my life than entertain ‘modern dating’. I’ve tried it and it doesn’t appeal one bit.

Xrays · 22/07/2023 10:01

arethereanyleftatall · 22/07/2023 08:54

'I think Gods honest truth is that most men are just awful. They don't really see women as people, but more like objects or possessions. Even looking around at colleagues, friends' partners...most of them are awful as well. I watch them texting without a care in the world as their partners are run ragged around them, holding babies while trying to tidy up. I watch them sitting, sullen and monosyllabic, in restaurants while their lovely female partners are desperately trying to maintain a conversation. Most men don't seem to like women, at all. They just seem to tolerate them so they can get sex, kids, and other things they feel entitled to.'

This is spot on.

Op, when you're out next, properly look around you. See the men relaxing with their pint whilst the women are doing everything for their kids. See the middle aged man ogling the teenage girl walking down the street.

Men are not the route to happiness. That's the key learning point.

Couldn’t agree with this more.

Misspinkdiditinthelibrary · 22/07/2023 10:04

@sammylady37 The op is clearly bemoaning loose womenwho have sex too easily/early as this means men don’t have to make an effort/up their game/become exclusive etc. The op feels this is why she is not having success on online dating. Clearly insinuating that withholding sex (or not being a loose woman) will force men to change their behaviour. Seems pretty transactional to me.

You may wish to see it like that but I don't.

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of 'hook-up culture' (which is no being promoted by so-called 'feminists') is how it blurs the line between casual sex and assault,, especially when “everyone expects everyone to be having casual sex.” This may lead to the assumption that all women are willing and ready to engage in this culture, despite many having reservations. Also those that don't are regarded as 'prudish/judgemental/ or the old cliche - "using sex as 'transactional'."
Thus, many of these women are prone to unwanted attention, which often leads to assault.
Unfortunately, because men are encouraged to compete with each other regarding sex and hookups, the use of coercion and manipulation, including "date-rape" drugs, continues to be all too common.

Proponents of 'hook-up' culture argue that women participating in strictly physical relationships with men are taking ownership of their bodies and defying the patriarchy, which, in many cases, can be true. Yet, in sexual encounters, men still have much of the power. Hooking up is often cultivated within male-dominated spaces.

Every nightclub or singles event I have attended, offered free or reduced entry fees for woman. That ensured that the ratio of male/female is usually 3:1 in the men's favour.

Such ratios ensure that the men have the power, because they have options of who they may sleep with that night. Women, however, are left at the mercy of these men and the misogynistic society they continue to endure.

Male sexual pleasure is often prioritized in male-female sexual relationships due to how the genders are socialized around sexuality in our society and the availability and use of pornography. In pornography women are seen as having multiple orgasms at the drop of a hat with very little effort on the part of the male, and as enjoying rough and even violent activities.
This has led to an orgasm gap that exists between males and females, and this gap is even larger in casual sex relationships.

Misspinkdiditinthelibrary · 22/07/2023 10:05

Errata line 2 of my response 'now' not 'no'.

pollykitty · 22/07/2023 10:08

Xrays · 22/07/2023 10:01

Couldn’t agree with this more.

I couldn’t agree more too and I’m glad someone articulated this point so much better than me. When I think about how much time I wasted being in relationships with losers it makes me feel ill. Live your life OP, men are a friggin waste of time.

Misspinkdiditinthelibrary · 22/07/2023 10:09

Thisisworsethananticpated · 22/07/2023 09:42

Misspinkdiditinthelibrary

ffs . We all read the news
we all know this shit happens
no need to post a news link to prove your point

but many women have enough experience to vet and assess for safety
myself included

but many women have enough experience to vet and assess for safety
myself included

A pity some of those date-rape murder victims didn't have your crystal ball OP. 🙄

Harrypewter · 22/07/2023 10:13

ManAboutTown · 22/07/2023 08:36

I can do the "men over 50" perspective and I am in the same place as Strof

We don't get the creeps and sexual fantasists that women get. Nor do we get fanny pics or asked to send naked photos of ourselves.

There are, however a lot of insincere women on the site I was on - some appear to be escorts and there are more than a few who seem to be interested in what you can pay for.

I'm not the most attractive bloke in the world but am educated, have a good job and a wide range of interests. I genuinely enjoy female company.

It's been a bugger finding anyone normal though and I've given up with the OLD.

I think it's probably just as frustrating for the regular guys out there although not in the same way.

As a fellow man, I must acknowledge that my life experiences differ from yours, especially given that I am also currently 50 years old.
Everyone has an idea of what will work for attracting and then dating.
If A is not working then another strategy is needed. I see people describe what they think are points of attraction, but I'm not so sure they hold any value in dating. Especially in the apps where the idea is the overwhelming choice-quantity and very visceral.

In my 30-year-plus history of relationships, I have experienced being cheated on twice, left two-family homes, faced rejection dozens of times, and have been dumped, as well as dumped others. I have also experienced being let down, lied to, manipulated, and have had arguments. Despite these challenges, I hold some cherished memories.

As I observe my parents' 50-plus years of marriage, I can't help but acknowledge the challenges they've faced. Similarly, as I contemplate my experiences in business, I find myself complaining about certain customers, yet I recognize that this is simply a part of life.

Misspinkdiditinthelibrary · 22/07/2023 10:13

I think we all know about this female that apparently agreed to consensual sex with one guy and ended up with two. It is worth mentioning that the female's sexual history was used against her,

https://evidencebasedjustice.exeter.ac.uk/case/ched-evans/

Thisisworsethananticpated · 22/07/2023 10:14

Misspinkdiditinthelibrary

true and if it read in anyway like i was victim blaming thats not on

what lm clumsily trying to say is that hooking up with someone you have only recently met doesn’t automatically lead to murder and rape
And that having casual sex doesn’t make anyone a slag or loose
just lonely and horny

anyway I’ll leave this now as bad shit happens , we all know that

but it always has done and before the advent of old and pornhub too

Backstreets · 22/07/2023 10:19

@Misspinkdiditinthelibrary agree with your post. Why pretend we’re on an equal playing field with men? In a hookup situation they are safer physically, not at risk of getting pregnant and just about guaranteed an orgasm.

maybe op’s wording could have been more sensitive but all I see is a woman absolutely fed up with being treated as a piece of meat rather than a human being and the numerous “dating sucks” threads shows she’s hardly alone.

Tangerinedreams3 · 22/07/2023 10:20

Gosh what a huge amount of personal insults being hurled on this thread, coupled with an inability to tolerate opposing views.
FWIW women who are wiling to offer up sex straight away are loose and yes I judge them.
FWIW I similarly judge anyone fiddling the benefits system.
Perfectly happy with my views thanks. Happy for others to disagree.
Best post on here is from @ilyana, who nails it.

PollyDarton1 · 22/07/2023 10:20

I rejoined the dating market aged 36 with a 5 year old and a 7 year abusive relationship behind me. I wasn't really ready to date in hindsight but by the time I was, it was hideously bleak. I didn't get dick pics as such but I got so many bone idle conversations, guys who didn't know what they wanted even before we'd met (aka just looking for a fling usually) or guys I just didn't gel with. Most of the guys I did go on dates with were stuck in this weird mid 30s purgatory where they wanted to settle but also didn't because they'd done the settling thing, or wanted kids and I didn't really want another. I was too young to go out with someone who had older kids/post divorce but too old to go out with someone who had never been married/no kids.

Just at the point I was ready to bin it all off and be single for a long time because I was happy with life and didn't see the need anymore, I met my now DP who is 33, no kids and no divorce/long term hideous ex situation. I was, by my own admission, pretty fussy about what I wanted and how it would fit into my life and he slotted in (eventually) perfectly. I am beyond lucky but I also know that should I find myself single again now or in the future I will be happy to be single and live my life.

Jigslaw · 22/07/2023 10:22

Online dating is just like 'real world' dating but on steroids really. Some men just want sex and to be honest best they're upfront about it rather than carry out the charade of wanting to get to know someone and then ghosting them; some will settle for a shag if they don't find a woman attractive enough to want to graft and get to know; some are in relationships and trying their luck; with a few decent ones thrown in who usually don't stand a chance; some just want an ego boost of messaging without any intention of anything more.

Dating is horrific now I think even compared to when I met DH which was around a decade or so ago. I do agree relationships can be shit, i think its good to have your own life and see a relationship as an enhancement that you can get rid of when it no longer makes you happy rather than those who base their life around their partner, give up their jobs and independence to run the house and get trapped.

Misspinkdiditinthelibrary · 22/07/2023 10:28

@Thisisworsethananticpated but it always has done and before the advent of old and pornhub too

Yes, but not to the same extent as it is now.

I can remember the days when you could go dancing in a club and leave your drink on a shelf at the side. You could then go back and drink it without worrying that it had been spiked. Not any more ;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/date-rape-drug-attacks-rise-17483459

Date rape drug attacks rise by 150 per cent as cops launch probe

EXCLUSIVE: There has been an increase of more than 150 per cent since 2015 as criminals use date rape drugs to abuse and rob their victims

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/date-rape-drug-attacks-rise-17483459

Corastiredmummy · 22/07/2023 10:30

LightDrizzle · 21/07/2023 22:43

Oh and nice work with your losers and looses there 😉

Haha thank you - I really had to think about it 😂 I mean I shouldn't have needed to...I write for a living!

OP posts:
hiddenvoices · 22/07/2023 10:31

Thisisworsethananticpated · 22/07/2023 09:07

arethereanyleftatall

i used to be on the dating thread and one poster Made a snide comment about casual sex as I was talking about a FWB I had at the time
fucking bitch !

fact is for women sex is very very easy to get online

and actually ironically it’s less easy for men

so noones winning
and polarised opinions on either gender doesn’t help

I used to lurk on the dating thread and remember you 👋. Hope it's going well.

It was a long while ago, when Bella and others were regular posters. I was considering dating and picked up some good advice, and intended to join the thread, but in the end didn't feel ready to date yet.