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If you've ever been on a dating app, chances are you have a horror story or two. But maybe it's those horror stories that are making people log off dating apps forever, especially young people. Because according to research by Axios, 79% of U.S. college and graduate students don't use any dating apps anymore.

After reading the experiences of these women, you might get a glimpse of why. When one netizen asked fellow ladies for their worst Tinder experiences, hundreds flocked to expose men at their worst. From hilarious cheapskates who can't be bothered to spend five bucks on a sausage roll to dudes who came to dates pre-drunkthese dates sure took an awkward turn.

To learn more about why women are having these types of horrible interactions on dating apps, Bored Panda reached out to dating and relationship coach Beck Thompson. She kindly agreed to share with us how people can avoid dating app burnout and her brilliant advice to those who feel hopeless about finding a meaningful connection.

More info: The Relationship Circle | Instagram

#1

Woman sipping coffee with a man in a cozy café setting, dealing with an awkward date. Profile clearly said 'have children, don't want more'. Matched with a guy, chatted a bit then met for coffee. One of the first things he said was "is the no more children thing negotiable" . I said "no, it isn't," He said "really, even having met me now I still couldn't pursuade you to have my child" . So I said "well I have only met you for 10 mins, but I definitely don't want more children with anyone."
His response, "let's have a proper date, you will be begging to have my babies before the nights out" 🤢🤢🤢
Declined the offer of a proper date!!

Everintroverte , Getty Images/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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Skogsrået
Community Member
6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet he was suprised that OP wasn't begging for those babies already. Bloody hell!

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With so many young people swearing off dating apps, it's important to understand why they might not be working anymore. Dating and relationship coach Beck Thompson tells Bored Panda that one reason might be that some people think they can get away with certain kinds of behaviors they wouldn't get away with in real life.

"Dating apps give people a false sense of access and entitlement and they enable behaviour that just would not (or at least I hope would not) exist in reality," she explains. "People are brave behind a screen." 

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    #2

    Man in glasses and brown coat holds a coffee cup outside a fast-food restaurant, representing creepy dating experiences. First date with a bloke Id chatted to briefly in a bar. Turned up to the bus stop outside the McDonald's we'd arranged to meet at and he was fifteen minutes late. I was just about to leave when I saw him come around the corner and then approach and talk to two girls before he then saw me and came over - turned out he couldn't really remember what I looked like except I was blonde and had mistaken one of the girls for me (who was about a size 18 and I was size 10!) to be fair to him we were pretty drunk when we first met.

    We then went to a bar where he proceeded to tell me he had just escaped death the month before running away from the collapsing twin towers in New York. "Yeah yeah what a bulls***ter" I thought. At this point he was irritating me slightly as he didn't shut up and then to top it all off his glasses suddenly swung apart in the middle - it turned out he was late bc his glasses had broken before he left the house and he'd tried to mend them with glue. I must admit I found this hilarious and I started to quite like him.

    We've now been together for 20-odd years!

    (And the twin towers story turned out to be true!)

    Saggyknickers , Efrem Efre/pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    #3

    People socializing at a bar, capturing a typical scene in a dating environment. As I walked into the pub the first thing he said was ‘you’re actually quite pretty. We just need to sort out your hair and clothes’. I turned around and walked out.

    He had very little hair, was wearing a T-shirt that needed ironing and his profile photo must have been at least 10 years out of date!

    Smokesandeats , Victor Clime/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    "There's a constant stream of faces to swipe on, which means many treat dating like ordering a takeaway: fast, disposable, and low-effort. That, mixed with minimal accountability and curated profiles, means people can show up however they want—with zero intention of actually being present, honest or kind." 

    When you're on a date in real life, you and the date share at least some common things. Perhaps that's mutual friends, shared environments, and actual eye contact. "Online, it's way too easy to lie, ghost, breadcrumb, or just be a total idiot with no real consequences," Thompson says. "People can show up however they want—and often, that version is nowhere near who they really are."

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    #4

    Woman on couch swiping through a dating app, encountering men while online dating. He used his son's photo who was about 27 ... Turns out he was about 47 and he couldnt figure out why I wasn't interested. Hm I'm 23 pal.

    Packingcube , Elena Helade/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    Brazen
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's about as bad as the guy who used a picture of a black, young, buff man as his picture and then when I met him, he was a tiny, very old, white guy. That date lasted two seconds.

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    #5

    Baked pastries arranged on a tray, featuring flaky crusts and seasoned meat filling, displayed in a cozy dining setting. Took a train to meet a guy ( he asked me out for lunch). We went to a cafe ( just your average cafe) and sat down to look at the menu.. l said oh I will have the jacket potato with tuna mayo. £ 5.50. A fanta orange £1.60.
    He took ages looking at the menu .. then stood up and said " come on we are going I'm not paying these prices".
    I was so hungry having had no breakfast and was an hour train ( cost me £12 )..
    We ended up walking round town.. l thought we were looking for another cafe.. just as we were passing a Greg's he gave me a pound coin and said " here get in the queue and buy yourself a sausage roll on me"
    I threw the pound back at him and walked off in the direction of the train station.

    Moier , Rachel Claire/pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Phoenix
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would have ordered my own lunch at the cafe, paid for it myself, moved to a different table and eaten it alone before heading home.

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    #6

    Woman holding a smartphone in a dimly lit setting, symbolizing challenges in dating experiences. A match I'd been chatting to and getting along fairly well with, although a few red flags were waving- such as he instantly replied to my messages, I mean within seconds as if he was staring at his phone all day.

    Anyway, he sent me a daft tiktok, but his account name was his real name. I googled it with his location and the first few results included a local news report of a court case- he was found guilty of harrassing his ex. The details of his harrassment did not make for pleasant reading. I'm so glad I googled him. Always do this.

    icelolly12 , Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    It's not long until you finally say "Enough" and log off Tinder, Hinge, or Bumble forever. One psychologist told AP News in 2024 that around 80% to 90% of her clients report experiencing dating app burnout. Beck Thompson says that if the thought of opening a dating app makes you feel exhausted, you're probably one of them.

    But there are other signs as well, and Beck goes over some of them:

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    1. You're swiping mindlessly and matching just for the dopamine hit.
    2. You've become overly cynical—assuming everyone is lying, a scammer, or emotionally unavailable (which, to be fair, might not be wrong—but still).
    3. You're settling for conversations that go nowhere or forcing connections with people you're not even interested in, just to avoid feeling alone.
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    In the end, the relationship coach says, dating is supposed to feel exciting. "Or at the very least, hopeful," she adds. "If it feels like a chore or a battlefield, it's time to take a break and come back with clearer intentions and I really encourage this."

    #7

    A woman in a gray sweater smiling as she stands by her car, with trees and buildings in the background. I met a guy, he was much older and fatter than his pics. He was also really boring
    I cut it short and we walked out to the car park together. When I unlocked my car, he got in the passenger seat and asked me to flash under my dress, I said no, and he tried to persuade me. Then had the nerve to look affronted and confused when I asked him to get out because he was making me uncomfortable.

    Doodleflips , Getty Images/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    Pyla
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pure trash. Get a littering violation for tossing him out of the car

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    #8

    DJ in a dimly lit club setting, wearing headphones and a black shirt, selecting tracks. Met a DJ online who happened to work at a venue I worked in but we hadn't crossed paths. Because of this I thought it was safe to go back to his place for a drink after our date, as we knew the same people. We started kissing and I could tell he wanted more so I slowed it down saying I didnt think it a good idea on a first date. Well, he stood me up against a wall and quick as you can even imagine...came on my leg! I was wearing black trousers and have a distinct memory of looking down thinking what on earth. He gave me a tea towel to wipe my leg and apologised. I left his house, blocked him and never saw him at work thank goodness!

    Thisistotallygrim , Alfonso Scarpa/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    Roxy222uk
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is 100% a sexual a*****t and he should very much be brought to the attention of the police! I'm not blaming the OP because it's so shocking when these things happen that people can't think straight, they are just trying to make it through and get away. I want to make it clear to any young men reading this how this is criminal offence.

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    #9

    Woman in a cozy sweater sits alone at a cafe table, illuminated by city lights reflecting in the window. And a male friend went on a date with a woman his own age (early 50’s) who he’d been chatting to online.

    He arrived at the pub and there was no sign of her so he bought a drink and sat down. Then an old lady with a walking stick approached his table and said ‘hi, I’m Sue’ - turns out she’d been using her daughters photos!
    He got up and said ‘sorry but I’m going home. And she burst into tears and started screaming after him ‘age is only a number’ as he made a hasty retreat

    TwistedWonder , Barna Bartis/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    brittany
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    if age were only a number, people wouldnt feel compelled to lie about theirs in the first palce.

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    Beck sympathizes with anyone disillusioned with the apps and those who think they'll never find their soulmate on there. "Your feelings are valid," she says. "Modern dating can be brutal, especially when you're genuinely seeking depth in a sea of surface-level swiping."

    But she also says people might want to look in the mirror. "Here's the truth: meaningful connection starts with you. How you show up. What you tolerate. How clearly you communicate your standards and desires."

    #10

    A child wearing a blue shark-patterned hat and red plaid shirt, with blurred background. I've posted about this incident before but this threads suits....

    Arranged a first date with a guy . I turned up to find that the guy had brought his toddler along to the "date". I should have just left immediately but I sat and had my coffee in stunned silence whilst he basically interviewed me for the job of stepmother.

    Ceebeegee , Levi Meir Clancy/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    #11

    Two people holding mugs across a table, capturing a moment of dating interaction. I went for a coffee date with a guy from OLD a couple of years ago. We got on well and arranged an evening out for dinner a few weeks after.

    Several days before he texted me "I know nothings going to happen but it would be great if you could wear some sexy lingerie"

    Of course when I called him out he said it was "A joke" Just like they always do when they say something deeply inappropriate.

    Iaminthefly , Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    #12

    Woman holding flowers in a garden setting. I had one ask how much it would cost to put a baby in me...

    When told where to go, he said he was genuinely asking as believed redheaded women produced superior babies.

    I had no idea where to go with that lol. What an absolute creep.

    YouDeserveBetterSoAskForIt , Getty Images/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    "Most people date reactively—they wait to see what someone else brings before deciding how much of themselves to offer. Flip that. Get grounded in who you are and what you want. That energy is magnetic," the dating coach urges.

    Thompson also encourages people to take some time off the apps. "Take a breather. Reset. Reconnect with who you are and why you want love in the first place. Real connection doesn't come from hustling harder—it comes from showing up more honestly. You're not behind. You're not broken. You're just being selective—and that's a really good thing."

    #13

    Couple on couch watching TV, woman holding a beer, man with popcorn, illustrating dating experiences. My friend had a date with a seemingly nice European guy, met for drinks a few times then was invited to his home for a meal and film. Sadly the guy put ‘centipede’ on as a starter movie and then moved onto some kind of snuff p**n thing. Let’s say my mate managed to leave pretty quickly whilst the guy was in the loo.

    maxplanck , Getty Images/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why would you stay during Centipede and then stay even longer to know that he had the other stuff?

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    #14

    Woman on bed looking concerned while reading messages on her phone, highlighting dating challenges with creepy men. I got into a virtual fight with one charmer on Tinder who described himself as an 'empath' and said he specifically wanted a woman "without any baggage". He was divorced and had three kids himself. I'm child-free and unmarried but the sense of entitlement and lack of self awareness was too much to bear. We ended up exchanging insults and blocked each other. Twat.

    Hemlocked , Natasha Hall/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    Romy Rösli
    Community Member
    6 days ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    „I want someone without any baggage because they will have to help me carry mine.“

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    #15

    Man in maroon shirt outdoors, representing dating experiences with creepy men. We spoke during Covid and hit it off big time. He had his own business and seemed like a really great person.

    When we could finally meet up he turned up with a black eye. He was a secret d**g dealer on the side.

    Never saw him again.

    SpringBunnyHopHop , Drew Hays/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    #16

    A woman and a man on a casual coffee date outside a bakery. Met a man on tinder who didn’t live too far away. Went for a coffee. Proceeded to tell me he wanted to impregnate me with twins. Swiftly left and he tried to follow me home. Dodged down some side streets and blocked 😂 Ironically he got someone else pregnant not long after with twins

    Mamatolittlemonsters , Katerina Holmes/pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    zububonsai
    Community Member
    6 days ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hu. Since this impregnating issue is a recurring topic here, I'm seriously asking (F here, never been asked that), especially male Fellow Pandas: Is that some real thing, that you've seen someone and very soon thought "I'd wish she had my babies"? (Even if you didn't spell it out loud to her) or is this some recent red pill Tate bullshít?

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    #17

    Man in a blue shirt looking at his reflection in a round mirror, inside a greenhouse. I had a date who was a bit bouffant and suited (not my type at all) but then it transpired that he couldn't walk past a mirror without admiring himself.
    We were in a pub with loads of mirrors, all over each wall behind the bar and more in the restaurant part.
    Even worse, every time he caught sight of himself, he'd do a sort of head flick, to shake all that (bleached) hair, open his mouth slightly and open his eyes wide, in a sort of coquettish pose that would only suit a teenage girl of under fifteen years.
    I wonder if he would be doing a trout pout nowadays.
    He also looked at me like this a few times, over the meal.
    I didn't know if I was expected to swoon at his feet, or what. It was so hard not to laugh in his face.

    Giggorata , Tima Miroshnichenko/pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Nuku Nyara
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is so funny! I could totally picture his teenage girl of fifteen years coquettish pose😂😂😂

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    #18

    Smiling woman at a festive event holding a large mug, with decorations in the background, addressing experiences with dating challenges. On a first date (and last) date w/a man who asked me my nationality. When I said German he said oh yes, big feet small b**bs. I couldn't get out of there fast enough

    Would you believe he chased me and harassed me for months after that awful date. So gross and rude

    Jom222 , Roberta Sant'Anna/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    #19

    A woman and man smiling and talking on a sunny street during a day out, highlighting dating interactions. He said 'boom' at the end of sentences - 'I'm going into town - boom !'
    Also used 'I'm on fire' a lot. Pity he wasn't

    witwatwoo , Alan Quirvan/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    Phoenix
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Too bad he wasn't actually on fire, that probably would have been more interesting.

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    #20

    Man with a leather jacket asleep at a bar counter, exemplifying a creepy dating encounter. The worst date I ever had was with a man who claimed to be a non-smoker but reeked of cigarettes. He also turned up drunk - it was an 11am meet. He tried to stick his tobacco flavoured tongue in my mouth and I excused myself to go to the ladies. I left by the back door and immediately deleted and blocked his number. I still shudder with distaste at the memory.

    A friend of mine met a man who claimed to be landscape gardener with his own business, and a waterfront apartment in Leeds city centre. He turned out to mow grass verges for the council and still lived with his parents. Worse than that, he slept in a single bed, and had a poster of Kylie Minogue on his wall. He was 47.

    CarliLove35 , cottonbro studio/pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    #21

    Man in casual shirt smiling and holding a coffee cup at a table; related to women's dating experiences with men. Second or third date with a guy I thought I quite liked... until he proudly showed me his membership card for a very right-wing political party & (despite my protestations) spent the next 45 minutes telling me about the upcoming civil war.

    holrosea , Ben White/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    #22

    A woman driving a car, seen from behind, focusing on the road ahead. This is about a bumble match within a two months of separating from my XH. I had a free evening and had been chatting to a man for a few days who seemed lovely. I was feeling bold (I hadn’t had the confidence to go on a date yet) and suggested meeting for a drink at a local leisure spot out of town. I told him I would be driving as I wasn’t drinking at that time.

    He asked for a lift because I was passing near his house. I said “No, I’ll meet you there.” He tried again and I said “I’m not comfortable giving you a lift, I don’t know you yet so I’d rather meet you in public first.”

    He sent me a barrage of a**se. I blocked and deleted all the OLD apps. I’m seeing someone now and I very quickly engineered a situation where I had to say no to him, to see how he would react. Thankfully he acted like a perfectly decent human being! If this relationship breaks down I won’t be using OLD for sure!

    KnightonShiningArmour , Jan Baborák/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    #23

    Two women in colorful costumes and makeup smiling, with one wearing a red feathered headpiece. I got an absolute shiner off of tinder say to me 'I really want you to be my girlfriend, so you can see to my trouser cannon every day.

    F**king TROUSER CANNON.

    Another: got to an organised drinks first date, and the guy had those white stringy bits all around his crusty lips. I kept licking my lips in the hope he'd do the same and kept thinking f**k me if he kisses me im going to have to see the hygienist.

    Another took screenshots off of my social media, and told me that im wearing 'too much makeup' and he likes his 'girls' (yes girls) to dress modestly and be more natural. The photo he picked was me at a concert, covered in glitter.
    Note: this bloke has botox. But told me off for wearing glitter.

    Lastly: met a bloke in the supermarket of all places. Asked me out for a drink and I agreed. Exchanged numbers. (I was 18 at this point). He said that he was Russell brands cousin and he had RB and katy Perry coming round that evening for drinks and would I like to join? I was SO EXCITED. Funnily enough, I'd just seen her on tour the week before and knew for a fine fact she wasn't in the country. But anyhoo I thought I'd play along. Anyway, he said he would pick me up at X time on the back of his motorbike. (I wouldn't have gone.) when he told me he was on his way, apparently in the 10 minute journey his Nan died, and he also got pulled over for speeding and immediately lost his license and asked if he could come to mine.

    I am so happy to be out of relationships. Men can f**k off.

    stayawayyyyyfromdatingapps , Natalia Blauth/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    #24

    A woman smiling at a man in a crowded bar, dealing with dating challenges. Pre-internet dating .. in fact pre-Internet .. none of your WhatsApp or any of that.

    Met this guy in a club, he was gorgeous, manager at a fashion store in the local city. I put in the work over a few weeks.. always talking to him when I saw him.. weeks of this.

    Anyhow, finally had a break through .. back to his for (hopefully) a great night. Get to his bedroom, when he asks me … did I mind if he put in his Star Trek outfit he had in his wardrobe. Yes, I very much minded…

    ExtraOnions , Abhimanyu Jhingan/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    #25

    A woman on a date with a man in a cozy restaurant setting, both enjoying a meal. Dating again after being widowed four years, he had been divorced from effectively childhood sweetheart and mother of his children four years, all very amicable. Then I found out in those four years he's bought a house with someone else and married a third person. I asked him if the second divorce was also amicable... "no, ha ha, she even accused me of r**e to the police"

    Colinthedaxi , Gary Barnes/pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    #26

    A smiling man against a blurred outdoor background, highlighting experiences of women with icky men in dating. When I was a teenager (early 90's) I met up with a guy who'd looked normal in daytime, but he turned up to the pub (average jeans & t-shirt type of village pub) wearing a velvet fitted single button jacket with nothing underneath. He'd floofed his hair up so it was really bouffant on top.
    Think he was after a David Hasselhoff look, but his skin was the colour of mushroom soup and he looked like he was making a slow recovery from consumption.
    Such a whiny attention-seeking idiot too.
    Twas a long evening.

    Threewheeler1 Report

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    #27

    Person sleeping under a white sheet in a softly lit bedroom. I had a first and last date with one who started whinging that a woman came on her period in his bed staining the mattress then proceeded to ask me back to his (of course didn’t accept).😫

    Never f***ed off and blocked someone so fast. I bumped into him in Tesco a few weeks later. 😂

    Beeloux , Roberta Sant'Anna/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    Roxy222uk
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you don't want to deal with the fact that most women menstruate then best stick to men

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    #28

    People socializing in a bar setting, holding drinks, with men and women engaged in conversation. Not quite the same type of story but when I was 18 I dated a guy who told me his cousin ( R) was a member of a famous band . He looked quite similar , had the same last name and his family came from the same place in the UK , so I believed him . We went to a club in London and my BF was ordering drinks at the bar and "his cousin R " walked in . As he and his entourage walked past I got up and spoke to R and told him his cousin( my BF ) was here . At that point my BF returned and R looked blankly at him and said " that's not my cousin , never seen him before "

    Missmarplesknittingbuddy , Getty Images/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    Nota Robot
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Plot twist: the BF was telling the truth and R was being a d**k.

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    #29

    Woman and man enjoying a meal together, sharing conversation and smiles, holding drinks in a cozy dining setting. Muslim here but so many "marriage suitor" frog stories...

    1. One guy tried to get money out of me and shouted at me when I said no.
    2. Another sang to me on voice notes
    3. Promising one lied about his visa status
    4. Guy was really fat and gross. And kept asking it "lf I had fallen in love with him yet". He only shared a head shot with me before we met.
    5. Guy tried to propose in a coffee shop with a coffee stirrer (the wooden one). Sweet at the time, but laughable now when I look back.

    HS1990 , Tahir osman/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    #30

    Man looking at smartphone outdoors, related to women dealing with creepy men while dating. Some of them are such actual pond life.

    I dated a guy briefly during my OLD period who was almost a foot shorter than me. (I know, I know). Initially I thought he was funny and charismatic enough that I could get past it but I couldn’t.

    After two dates I politely blew him out but wished him well. He flew into a rage saying he knew it was about his height etc. I backed away but said I liked him and no hard feelings and he called me a b***h.

    So that was the end of that you might think until six weeks later he messaged me on Instagram saying I know it’s never going to happen between us but can you send me a photo of you in high heels???

    I then blocked him on Insta and he popped up on Facebook/WhatsApp, you name it. He was continuing to try to contact me on various social platforms for a further four years, well into my current relationship.

    Madness… if I had behaved like he did he would have reported me to the police.

    Women are always being accused of being hysterical and irrational but men are far worse in dating.

    Thepeopleversuswork , Jonas Leupe/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    #31

    Woman in a red top holding a wine glass at a candlelit dinner, addressing dating challenges with men. Not me but my friend went for a date with a bloke who paid for dinner with a 50% off voucher and told her it was his treat but she could only have a main course as that’s what the voucher covered.
    When they walked to the car park, he asked is she wanted to get into the back seat of his car and unleash his beast - he was 56!!!

    TwistedWonder , Elina Sazonova/pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Jay Scales
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think there must be an invisible barrier for men at around 17 years of age.... Some make it thru & become decent human beings. Those who don't make it thru are doomed to spend the rest of lives living in a blinkered, hormonal teenage mindset.

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    #32

    Purple trash bags and cardboard boxes fill a room with teal pillows and white chairs, hinting at a cluttered domestic scene. During covid, just as restrictions were ending but before you could eat inside I'd been talking to a guy for a while. Seemed pleasant and articulate. Met him once and he seemed OK so agreed to meet for lunch next time.

    Ate lunch, was nice, but freezing as outside. He invited me back to his place as close by. I agreed. Got to his and it was almost hoarder house level inside, clutter and mess everywhere. He gave me a tour of the house but refused to show my the upstairs area that he used (he had moved back in with his mum) because it was too messy 😐👀. He made us a cup of tea in grubby kitchen which we took to lounge and then started to try to kiss and fondle. That was the point I belatedly made my excuses and left! Shame as he had seemed so nice in the written messages lol.

    Bryonyberries , kuprevich/freepik (not the actual photo) Report

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    Roxy222uk
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds like he had no idea it was out of the ordinary. These type of people are salvageable, although it's not anybody's job to do so.

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    #33

    Dark urban alleyway at night, dimly lit, suggesting a creepy atmosphere. God so many horror stories but the ones that spring to mind are a guy I met for a drink, spent the entire time boasting about how much money he made (whilst allowing me to buy all the drinks) then when I was ready to go (quite sharpish obviously) he asked if I wanted to wait outside with him as he "knew an alley behind the pub". I went to sit at the bar until my taxi arrived and asked the barman to walk me out.

    Another one I met and things were going quite well until he showed me the you tube videos of him singing propaganda songs for EDL

    I also had one guy move the time back and hour, show up with all his mates then disappear off for half an hour leaving me with his friends and returned to ask me if I wanted to go back to his. When I said no he said he didn't fancy me anyway and wanted to get back with his ex. Obvs I was gutted.

    OnlyFannys , Connor Fisher/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just in case EDL is a nasty, ra cist UK bunch of vile morons. The English Defence League.

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    #34

    Man lying on bed, smiling at phone, cozy setting, colorful blanket. There were probably loads but I erased them from my memory. A more recent one, first day chatting on Tinder, catching up on what we've been up to over the weekend. I say that I ran out of food and scraping the bottoms of my cupboards to make something or other. The next thing he comes up with "oh great, so you can cook for me"... err, no mate.

    Catza , Andrej Lišakov/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    Annik Perrot
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just can't unsee that vest. My grandma used to crochet stuff like that.

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    #35

    A person in a hoodie and beanie looks tensely in a dimly lit corridor, capturing an eerie dating moment. I very briefly dated a guy in my late teens (he was early twenties), who was v clearly trying to look like Eminem. He used to follow any vaguely nice comment etc. with 'and stuffs'... "I just think you're really cute and stuffs"... He definitely thought it was cute. I was nearly sick in my mouth each time he said it. I ended things speedily when I went from feeling a bit nauseous to wanting to punch him.

    CountryMumof4 Report

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    azubi
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't know, isn't this rather a matter of personal style/taste than a story about a creepy guy?

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    #36

    Woman on the phone, appearing concerned, dealing with dating issues. I have a few

    the guy who kept calling me on bumble, like every 10 minutes. I finally answered and he started telling me about his ex who we moved in with after 6 weeks and then she got a restraining order, police called etc. he kept saying was a really nice guy. . He only had 10 mins to talk as staying at a friends as they didn’t let him use his phone. Blocked

    the guy who would only communicate via selfies with trout pout. I asked for more texts less pictures sec stopped replying as no conversation. A week later he sent abusive WhatsApp saying I was rude for not replying. My reply was I was not interested. Blocked him and then he started texting me on normal text as I was rude for not setting a date up after matching.

    meeting with a guy the looked older than his pictures for him to accidentally tell me he was 10 years older than stated. Asked if anything was true on his profile. Nothing was even down to owing a cat. He thought he sounded cute and it would be a funny story to tell our grand kids. I drank my expensive wine and left.

    Foodoverload , semenay erdoğan/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    JMil
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How much did he owe the cat? Never go into debt with cats, they can be vicious.

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    #37

    Man sitting alone in cafe, sipping coffee, natural light through window, dating context. This was before Internet dating so I am that old. Met him at work and went to on first date. Was very boring. He then informed me that i was going to meet him at a cafe for coffee. I made my excuses and he said he expected me to be there. I said I wouldn't be there. He went ballistic when I didn't turn up. I had to deploy the 'shh an't shhhh ear you, it's a ba shhh ine' or ignore him for him to get the hint. He sent me an 'anniversary' text a year after our date. He came from Dubai - i had frequent nightmares about being kidnapped for a few years! I'm so glad that date was boring 😄.
    Then of course there is the 'i was in the army' type bloke. Special ops. Can't tell you about it. The 'I'm full of s**t' date. I feel sorry for those men genuinely in special ops - they must find it hard to keep a date.....

    Sparklybanana , Jacob Rank/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    #38

    Close-up of a decorative belt with silver buckle, worn with jeans and a white shirt, highlighting dating fashion style. Not online dating but a guy at uni was chatting with me in my room lying on my bed. He had this god-awful belt on with a massive buckle which I couldn’t help but notice. He saw me look so I said “your belt is interesting”. He replied “yeah i really like it. I wear it as it’s sexy and makes my package look even bigger” Wtaf 🤢. He was 100% serious and was so cocky. He would also try to act macho and puff out his little pigeon chest around other guys to make himself look bigger. Needless to say it didn’t develop into a relationship!

    Loloj , Chris F/pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    #39

    Hand reaching for a cocktail on a bar counter, with a bartender in the background. Years ago now but I had one who got very drunk at happy hour while I had some work that ran late, met me for a beligerant date, we were walking towards transport after an hour at a bar. He tried to kiss me, then grabbed my left b**b. Just that one. Awkwardly left. I ghosted for obvious reasons. Months later he messaged and asked where it all went wrong, so I told him. He responded "so there is a chance this could still work?". Urgh.

    dramaaaalamaaaa , Lightscape/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    #40

    A woman and a man on a date at a dimly lit bar, holding wine glasses, engaging in conversation. In the days before apps, my friend used a newspaper’s contact site. (Several of the newspapers used to do it in the 90’s.) She met a guy in a pub for a meal, first date and all was going well until they discussed what ideal job they would prefer if they could start again from scratch. His ideal job was to be a hangman……she ran for the hills…

    Londonismyjam , Michael Tucker/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    Roxy222uk
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you are idiotic enough to think that's a good thing to tell a woman on a first date then no romantic relationships for you until you grow up a bit.

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    #41

    A stack of 100 dollar bills on a wooden table, related to dating challenges women face. I once had the partner of a friend who had just given birth come round, drop a roll of banknotes on the table and say ''I'd give a woman this just to get my end away''...

    He was a good looking man, but I was genuinely shocked.

    I most definitely didn't take him up on his offer. - he later had an affair .

    This was before online dating though- 1999 era.

    oakleaffy , Nathan Dumlao/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    #42

    Two women in a store setting, exchanging skeptical glances, highlighting women's experiences with dating challenges. One of mine turned up looking like Mavis Riley in a trouser suit. He was clearly flirting with the androgynous look but had tipped over into daytime drag queen.

    MayaPinion Report

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    #43

    Wig display with various styles and colors, showcasing vibrant autumn decor in a sunlit storefront window. Another mate went on a date with a man who arrived wearing a very obvious wig.
    He went to the bar and on the way back tripped up a step and his wig slipped without him realising and he sat opposite her with a wonky wig!

    TwistedWonder , Beth Desrosiers/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    #44

    A hand holding a red bag of Maltesers chocolates indoors. Cinema date 1990’s. Arranged by phone after we had met in a bar.
    He was late and when I got in the car there was a box of Maltesers on the seat. He had pre-bought them in the shop to ‘save’ buying them there.
    When we got there we were late, the film had already started and he suggested going to a very fancy bar.
    Then told me I could get that drinks in, as he was the transport… and had bought cinema snacks.
    Three rounds in I asked to go home.
    As I went to get out of the car I took the Maltesers and he was fuming - he wanted to take them back for a refund. £1.99!
    I went in and had a cuppa with my mum and we scoffed the lot. Told everyone in work the next day.
    Years later he randomly came into my work to do a presentation to a hundred of us, I’d told one friend and then it got round. And just as he got all his gear ready she shouted…
    ‘Welcome to the stage, Malteser Man!’

    PeggyMitchellsCameo , Lisanto 李奕良/unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    Roxy222uk
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope to this day he remains utterly confused what that was about

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    #45

    Man in a brown leather jacket standing by a body of water, representing creepy dating experiences for women. I turned up to a guy wearing a tight brown leather jacket and a baseball cap on backwards. He was 38.

    GroovyChick87 , EyeEm/freepik (not the actual photo) Report

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    HeavyMetalHeart
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is there an age when you’re supposed to stop wearing leather jackets? Because I’m 48 and still love them.

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    When navigating through the world of dating apps, it's not uncommon to encounter less than ideal situations. Just as some flyers can learn about themselves through the actions of others, you can gain insights into human behavior that aren't immediately obvious.

    In much the same way, observing the often misunderstood nature of pets offers an enlightening perspective on reactions and behavior, adding an unexpected layer of depth to our understanding of interaction.

    Ic_polls

    Poll Question

    What do you think is the most common reason people quit dating apps?

    Creepy encounters

    Lack of genuine connections

    Time consuming

    Other reasons