Is dating dead? Does anyone else miss going out on a date?

I went to a gay wedding in June and ended-up eating the catered food with a pleasant, nice-looking man. We chatted for a long while. Then he excused himself to talk to some other people and I soon left. It was the closest thing to a 'date' I'd had in a decade.

I was nervous and self-conscious. I felt I wasn't impressing with my intellect, humor or life. I hate being judged.

'Never' should've been an option, duh.

I ended up dating more during Covid than in the previous 15 years, and also more during Covid than I have since Covid ended, which has been exactly zero dates since Covid protocols ended.

I cannot explain it. I ended up in three different relationships from March 2019 through July 2022, plus a few make-out seshes with a guy that was previously only a friend, and with whom I was in a quarentine pod.

It's as though the world stopped just so I could slow down, and maybe the others with whom I became entangled could finally also slow down, and we were suddenly available to connect as strangers and experience some novelty, some joy and adventure, a lot of relational mirroring and growth, a LOT LOT LOT lot of sex, mixed in with some good old-fashioned heartache and rejection here and there.

And then, boom. It was over. And I've been single again now for 15 months. No dates, no nothing.

I am finally thinking that dating sounds fun again. The last guy really took the wind out of my sails. When he broke up with me I thought I was going to die, it hurt so bad. I think a nice dinner date sounds perfect.

There's nothing on earth I hate more than meeting new people, so no.

I don’t. I used to have to numb myself with drugs just to show up. I’m sober now, which I’m enjoying way more than I ever did dating.

Hey, R3. Sounds like cause for optimism. But I don’t seem to know how to make it happen. I mean, I meet guys online who are totally ready to fuck. But sometimes, if the conversation goes a bit deeper, I might suggest coffee or a drink somewhere. That seems to immediately shut down the conversation.

Desperate for a date. Can't you tell? Something fun and lots of laughs

The Under-45s just want to go to clubs or gatherings or events and search the crowd for a hottie. They may make a one night stand last a while, but they'll get bored- and never will they be monogamous. If you asked them to dinner and a movie they would be appalled that you tried to monopolize their time.

Phillywhore typing from Myrtle Beach SC, here for work. Dating is fun, it's what I wanted to do when I was in my 20's. But I was married& discovered gloryholes, tearooms, and ABS's in Philly and NYC (in the 1980's). Dating now with Shaun (BF) is fun!!

The whole point of having a BF that you get to avoid dating.

In the space of ten years, I've been on a few dates. It was with guys who'd I'd met at the sex club and had chemistry with . I knew after dinner, we'd end up in bed, because it was. natural.

I used to like it. Not anymore. I'm too old now. It's not fun to meet new people anymore. Dating is not for people my age.

I'll be 50 this year and I've never been on a "date." Maybe one day.

R10, don’t boyfriends do date night? I used to when I had a boyfriend.

And, even though I’m old maybe I’m naïve, but why do some of you say you don’t like meeting new people. I don’t get that. Meeting new people is often the highlight of my day.