Dating agencies and going on a first date,for the first time in decades

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Electric_Andy

Heavy Metal Fan
Location
Plymouth
The metaphor I'd use is: If you want to buy a car then you go to car dealerships or websites that specialise in selling cars. It's much easier than walking around a car park and trying to establish by hearsay or otherwise as to which cars are for sale! Match.com was my site of choice - because it carries a fee, you seem to get fewer chancers and a higher rate of genuine people who actually want a relationship.

Don't be put off if it doesn't go very well, just see it as practice, getting back on the horse etc. I went on 10 dates when I lived in Hampshire and had no success. I then moved to Plymouth and met a woman about 2 weeks after re-signing up to Match.com. She's now my wife of 6 years. Just be yourself and have realistic expectations.
 

Lee_M

Guru
I met my wife on match.com, 14 years ago, been married 11. Met some others on there too (before not after), no screwed up ones, but some I got on with and some I didn't - I'm sure they'd have the same view of me

Yes you get some chancers on these sites, but you get them in the pub too.
and as others have said if the site has a fee then you're more likely to get people who aren't just looking to get laid (unless that's what you're after)
 
So people on dating sites are sometimes a bit odd, sometimes different than they initially appear and some of them are just after sex......and that is different to meeting people by other means how???
 

Bryony

Veteran
Location
Ramsgate, Kent
I met my partner on a dating site, that was 7 years ago. I was very apprehensive about online dating and I did get messages from a fair few weirdos! but I'm glad I did it. I'd say give it a go.
 

AndyRM

XOXO
Location
North Shields

True story: a Canadian friend of mine tried online dating for a while and received a number of dick pics from various gents. None were remarkable, save one guy who'd compared himself to a $5 bill. If you're gonna do something like that, at least use a Benjamin!

We were on holiday together when she told us this story, all our pictures are of us comparing various monuments to local currency.
 

al78

Guru
Location
Horsham
I was on Match, and used to get a few responses, and even one short lived relationship. Since my accident I haven't used it again as for two years I didn't receive a single response, despite me initiating contact with others. I wouldn't worry about being carless. If a woman is going to judge you negatively because you use a bicycle for transport, she's not really a suitable match for you. That is the idea of going on dates, to find out about the other person, whether there is likely to be any connection, or conversely, any red flags. Initially it should be treated as meeting up with someone to see how you both get on, and that's it. Things like meeting family don't usually happen until you have both made the decision to be exclusive, which means you have both decided to take things to the next level and are no longer dating others. If she cuts contact, it means she's not interested, so move on (people do this all the time, yes it is wussy not to be straight with people but that is how it is, and you can't control other people). Don't get emotionally attached right from the start. Bear in mind that multi-dating is acceptable today, and when you go on a date, the woman could easily be dating five or six others, this is how it works, you have to put yourself out there to increase the chance of finding a partner.

If your experience is anything like mine, expect it to take a long time. The odds of connecting with someone on a first date are low, so you will go down a lot of dead ends. Ultimately you have to keep putting the effort in and trying if it is something you really want. If you sling enough mud at the wall some of it will stick. If your self esteem takes a hammering, remember that you have been married before, so one woman has previously deemed you suitable for a committed relationship, so there are bound to be others out there who will think the same.
 
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