An Introduction

[DonH]

And don't get too discouraged. There is I feel a depth of single people out there who don't want to bother with online dating. In my small village I know of at least 4 bachelors of various ages. And a slightly larger number of single women.

It’s the 5th Friday of a month - something that only happens a couple times a year. And I’m very much agreeing with Andrew - something that also only happens a few times a year. I KID!!!! Oh and don’t agree on getting a cat.

But seriously I think Andrew is correct. I know an increasing number of people who have given up OLD but are still single. I know more quality women (and some quality guys) who just don’t think they will find quality OLD. I can name like a dozen without too much trouble. Even a few I dated, (women that is) but did not meet OLD who admitted to trying it and then telling the stories of losers, being ghosted, dic pics early on after exchanging info. The higher quality they are, the quicker they were to delete the apps. So they are out there, I’d say higher quality off OLD but you just need to try to find them.

Yes, some latch onto the first person they meet (no, not referring to you Andrew) and I think that makes up some of the “success stories”. I have friends who have done that. They are far less picky than you and I may be. They also have the ability to find things in common with others or tolerate others than you or I may not. I know others who have not had a LTR in many years. I’m very picky OTOH I just don’t feel an attraction to many people. You seem similar.

And without a doubt today’s climate has made it even harder. First there is covid. Then it’s the increasing divide politically and Philosophically. Even a few years ago already just lurking/looking at some OLD profiles and I’ve seen more and more profiles saying they don’t want anyone who voted for Trump, or say they are allergic to cats and republicans. Hmmmmmm interesting how by far I’ve seen far more restrictions from the tolerant, co-exhist, accept everyone as they are, side of the isle. Very interesting. But regardless, that right there cuts off half of potential partners. Then the longer we settle into living on our own, the harder and higher the bar to give that up. It’s so much harder today for all of these reasons than it was 25 years ago.

I’m now very used to being on my own and for the most part do just fine. It’s only when something like needing to find someone to go on a cruise with me (see my thread for past cruisegate stories) that I really struggle. Otherwise I struggle more trying to date than I do just living life and seeing what happens. Im far happier without the frustrations of OLD For me OLD is a lot like social media or search engines or the rest - great ideas that have now been hijacked by scammers, fakes, those trying to manipulate or influence things... and more. OLD certainly presents a greater quantity of people, but what is the quality of them?