Dating in the 'Diff Part 2

Well I'm 2 months on from my last Dating in the 'Diff blog, it's been a good couple of months but I've decided to come off online dating for a while and just see what happens in 'real-life'. 

Online dating was a lot of fun, I chatted with some really great guys and met up with some too but it can also be a tad frustrating for many reasons

Not sure which is the best option!

I think that's only fair!

There are the guys who are actually too busy to date and just like to message, the guys who don't seem to know what they want or whether they actually want to date anyone, the guys who don't give you chance to reply and message you 3 more times asking why you haven't replied yet and then there's the guy who put "no hook-ups please" on his profile but that's clearly all he is actually after because he throws a tantrum when you won't drop everything to go over to his place and, well, drop everything!

And then there are the stalkers!

They are the gems who 'wink' at you, who 'wink' at you again... and again... and again. Seriously mate take the hint. You winked at me and I looked at your profile but you weren't for me so I didn't wink back. That's not an invitation to continuously wink at me and then message me asking why I haven't winked back or messaged you. No offence but you're just not my cup of tea.

*blocked*

There have also been some conversations which have turned a bit creepy, these usually involve the guy making suggestive comments very early on. One guy asked me if I liked to 'wrestle' so I told him about my 3rd Dan in Taekwondo and that I'd happily spar with him and try not to hurt him. Didn't hear from him again... I wonder why?!

Another guy asked me if I liked to dress up... it turns out he participates in cowboy themed re-enactment weekends and wanted to know if I was up for it.

Tinder was very entertaining for a while but it ended up being a lot of men posting photos (known as Moments) of themselves topless in the gym changing rooms.

*yawns* So not impressed!

Now don't get me wrong, I've met some really great guys online and had some brilliant dates but it all just feels too forced and pressurised. I want to meet someone and have fun with them, just get together and have a giggle without the added pressure of 'where is this going?'. I have no plans to settle down for a long time. At the same time though I do have morals and know my self-worth so if you want to date me then you have to just date me.

I went on a couple of dates recently with one guy who made me laugh constantly and I realised that it was the first date where I was actually 100% myself. There was no trying to impress, no nerves and I didn't have to try to hide my slightly (very!) inappropriate sense of humour, I was just me and I loved it. So I'm taking that lesson with me on future dates, if I don't feel like I can be myself then he clearly isn't for me!

The next person I start dating might be someone I've met before, he may already be in my life or he might be a complete stranger so I'm just going to carry on having fun, meeting people and see what happens.

In the meantime, you'll find me out running (well in the gym until this weather warms up a bit), walking my dog, getting my yoga on, catching up with my awesome friends or hanging off the top of a wall by a piece of rope in my harness at Boulders. Don't be shy, come and say hello, I don't bite... well, unless you like that kind of thing.

#PushingBackHarder

Dating in The 'Diff

I have been single and living in Cardiff for 8 months now. I'm close enough for the city life when I want to hit the shops, restaurants and pubs but also close enough for hiking in the mountains of Brecon Beacons. I have got the best of both worlds and I love it.

An hour away from my house

I haven't been dating for over 9 years so thought I'd give it a go, the only problem is that I had no idea what to do. I dabbled a few months ago on Match.com and met someone within less than a week of setting up my profile but that has now come to an end. I have gained a friendship from it which is great but it's time to get back out there.

I have recently discovered Tinder. Wow! It is so much fun. You basically judge each other on looks and a 500 character profile. Swipe right for 'interested' or swipe left for 'not a hope in hell!'  

*swipes right and dribbles*

Now it's easy to get carried away and swipe the wrong way. I did this earlier and there is no getting that person back!

*sighs... moves onto next photo*

I have just one bit of feedback for the male users of Tinder. Check which photos Tinder has imported from your Facebook account and make sure you actually feature in 1 or 2 of them... it helps us to decide if we like you or not!

Funny but always going to get a swipe left!

Dating in Cardiff is a bit more difficult if you are a tall girl who likes to wear heels and still not be the taller one of the couple. Most men in Wales seems to be shorter than your average British guy (sorry Welsh men but it's true!). It's even harder when you don't want to date someone with kids, or who wants kids. Then there is the non-smoker rule. You see, I have 3 non-negotiables; non-smoker, tall and no kids. I didn't think it was a lot to ask when I set up some online dating profile but apparently it is.

In the meantime, I'm going to have fun and try to dodge the weirdos

Well wish me luck as I enter this crazy world of dating in the 'Diff!

#PushingBackHarder