What’s dating been like for you?

[DaveJord]

Well honestly dating is terrible, full of ups and downs with pitfalls around every corner. But unless you want to be alone forever, its a nesscary evil. So with thst in mind you have to accept that the only way to get better at is to practice it as much as possible. Every experience and opportunity is a chance to learn and improve your skills. But you have to be capable of doing a honest self reflection and evaluation of yourself.

You have to be capable of objectivity required to digest each relationship and determine what you did right, and what you could do better next time. Then really determine what you want out of a relationship and then focus on refining your search and being open minded.

Rejection and disappointment is just part of the ingrained process, so you should never allow it to become an excuse to not keep trying. And just because one relationship didn't work out, don't assume its your fault or anyone's fault... because more than likely its nobody's, you two were just not the right match for each other. But you have stay positive and keep after it, because each failure just means your one step closure to your next biggest sucess.

Over time you start to not only look for but start finding the right type of people. Because you will learn what you thought you wanted, wasn't what you needed at all in a potential partner.

I live in a town with an excellent city park. So I really moved away from coffee and/or meals for first date meet and greets. I went with walks in the park, in late morning or early afternoon. Think about it, why put a table between you a yours, while you feed off a caffeine / sugar packed drink? Take her for a walk in park, its casual and more intimate and allows for things to progress at a more natural pace with less awkward ordering and drinking. I quickly figured out that any women not interested in a walk in the parks was not my type of lady. From there I progressed to a trip to the local zoo, or minor league baseball game... something activity based.

I found that by the third or fourth date it felt right or it didn't... but it all cost me less than a $100 bucks. But regardless stay motivated, don't quit stay persistent with the process, and learn from it, improve adjust, try and try again. By about my 30th lady, and 16th date in 4 month I found someone and it was easy, right and smooth. Amazing lady, I never would of found only one month in without self reflection and practice.

[OpenClose]

I don't have much social anxiety I don't think. Rejection hasn't bothered me terribly in the past. Like it can sting a bit, but I'm usually just more excited that I tried.

Generally it hasn't gone half bad, but I've never left the honeymoon phase. My relationships have generally lasted months.

But I used to be at a school that was 75% girls. Half my relationships were initiated by the girl. I did some rejecting of my own as well. But like, I'm big on girls who don't hold any expectations for you more than she would her friends. In one of the first dates, she arrived pretty early and ordered for both of us before I even got there. A very kind gesture I haven't forgotten. Unfortunately one most girls just "assume" is going to come from a guy. An example of the kinds of formalities and expectations I can't stand.

I do get to say that I've dated a blonde, brunette, and redhead. lol.

But I like to think I have relatively good taste. I like intelligent, self-determining girls who dislike drama.

Honestly I just wish I could get back in the game. But your social life practically grinds to a halt after college.

[muscularbumblebee]

For me anyway it’s always easy to find someone to date and what not but actually like someone is hard. Been on many online dates in the past only after so many dates I’m now thinking I hate online dating. Usually if it ends up into something serious it’s when we meet naturally (which is pretty hard for someone who is a) always busy b) pretty independent c) doesn’t talk to people much.


But I’m happy single for the most part, if I find love that would be great though I’m a little scared mostly that it will be a deterrent to my goals so we would have to have the same ambitions and goals.


Also finding someone you can have an actual conversation in besides the usual first stages of ‘where are you from, fave colour?’ Type stuff is surprisingly hard. Aka want to skip the get to know stage

[FictionalCharacter]

I haven’t been on dates as I hoped. But, I have been on dating apps that doesn’t go far. Because guys are only interested in sexting or they lose interest and move on.

[ClumsyNinja]

Honestly dating has been a weird roller coaster for me. PDA was something I always enjoyed and establishing a stronger connection with the other person. But I always dreaded meeting their friends and the early stages of talking/going on dates because they would make me really anxious/ insecure. For me it was always trying to find love but now I’m in a weird spot where I want to date but I realize that I’m okay with not getting married or finding someone. As for my ideal date, it was always going on walk. Gives you time to talk and interact with each other, and since there’s no “schedule” you can really focus on just enjoying each other‘s presence. But honestly as someone who considers them self as a hopeless romantic and grew up with the goal of finding the one because that’s what movies/tales/family always told me. Dating is overrated. It’s too complicated, most people don’t know what they want or they’re not “genuine”. Relationships aren’t for everyone and everyone is different so you don’t really have to worry about “not being good at dating” since there’s really no guideline all that matters is that there is communication and defining one’s relationship.

[Dragonpurple]

Back in the 90's it was extremely hard for me, constant rejections, was hard to ask anyone out. When I did get a date, was a major massive time investment.

Sadly this also meant the first girl that showed interest in me, I ended up marrying but she was a cheater and we got divorced later. Even after dating for two years and two years of engagement.

I had too little dating experience and never should of married her.

After that it was a bit easier, did it for a few years... had lots of fun but then got married again.

This one we are getting divorced right now, take a couple of years to finalize things but recently entered the dating market again and its actually been way easier now than it has ever been for me. I'm not going to get married ever again, I am doing it for fun now. Given up hope of anything serious and its been better than it ever has for me.

Maybe that is my problem all along, I was always looking for a spouse and missed the fun aspect of it.

[Adam1978]

A sparse line of women asking for too much too fast. I don't even have the time to judge if she is worth efforts or not. Because to me women don't deserve my efforts unless we share a common values and goals. That and that I find most women boring or afraid to not be exactly like every other woman when it comes interests. They can be attractive but there is simply nothing to talk about. So it's just me and the world left. Good way of looking self absorbed when I am really not they just lack substance.

[hellacray]

Mostly negative and some were just neutral.

I don't know why but I always need to keep the conversation going. Sometimes I feel like I'm conducting an interview. Which to me was a surprise cause I thought women loved to talk.

Girls that were glued to their phones and rarely made eye contact. And then there were girls that made it obvious she didn't want to be there.

Yeah I've never had a positive memorable date. Which is kinda sad but on the plus side I never got dumped or cheated on.

[Redstang88]

Not bad considering how little effort I really put in, I’m just really not a fan of the whole dating game. Dont really have much interest in meeting new people, kinda wish you could just skip the whole awkward getting to know each other stage.
And my unfailing gift for falling for damaged, emotionally unavailable girls just adds to the frustration

[Twalli]

I enjoy it and miss it as my girlfriend and I haven't been able to go on a date since the beginning of March 2020. Coffee or a meal are good first dates. Since you already know the person you will be dating, a shared interest is always good. Bowling or skating for example. I recommend holding off on movies until date 3.

[Phoenix-gb]

Complete nightmare, don't fit in with the hook up culture but can't find anyone who sees me as good enough to take a chance on.

What's worse, I can make friends with those I like easily, but that's it, and they all say there's nothing wrong with me even though I'm the common denominator that's not good enough.

[Gingerguy33]

It’s been tough dating since I got out of a long term relationship 4 years ago I haven’t been on a date since I’ve talked and flirted with many women but nobody wants commitment now days it’s pretty sad..

[Anonymous]

If mental illness interferes with your ability to enjoy dating, then you are probably well advised to not try to date. But for most people, dating is enjoyable, we have fun while looking for a long term partner and when we finally find The One, we retire from dating amd settle into the next chapter of our loife.

[exitseven]

I remember mostly the good times now but there were a few times that I could have done without.

[Anonymous]

Relationships have been hell and I haven’t been on a date since me and my ex girlfriend were talking, hanging out and spending the night in 2018

[McKellar]

Very little to no dating activity on my end.

Then again I'm at that bordering point if I'm going to date at all again or not.

[Heartache0405]

Dating? That’s still a thing? Ha... I haven’t been on a date sense before 2016! 😂 fuck dating and relationships, it’s all bullshit

[Nikki1989]

I am married now, but my dating years were full of fun. I wouldn't change a thing.

[Lionman95]

I stopped dating for good because I feel I can't get to any woman. I'm ok with that because my life is full of other activities

[AdithyaR]

My dating life is like reading a book, only there no title, author and the book is blank cause there's literally nothing that happens.

[msc545]

Honestly, it has been absolute hell. I live in a place where many of the women come to work in the entertainment industry and many of them have narcissistic personality disorder as well. Trying to date people like this is completely futile.

[awkward_author]

Dating's, typically, pretty negative for me. Then again, I'm on the aromantic spectrum, so I don't really care as much.

[Anonymous]

Terrible. Horrible. So glad I’m out of the dating pool.

[InferiorElegy]

Trying to date was a confidence killing, rejection filled era of depression. I've never been on a date, only ever got rejected and became very depressed.