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We all deserve love and to be loved. I mean, is it too much that we’re asking for? But if you've ever walked in the shoes of a singleton, and at some point we all have, you know what a blessing and a curse it may be. Let’s face it, the dating game is not for the faint-hearted, no matter what the media and apps that people download and delete in a cycle of despair and hope would tell us.

In fact, a Pew Research survey showed that most of those on the romantic hunt, which makes up 15% of American adults who are single and looking for a relationship, are dissatisfied with their dating lives. How come?

Well, the answer lies somewhere between the lines of real-life stories from people who survived the most awkward date. And although the degree of awkwardness varies substantially from one date to other, anyone who’s had a bad one came out of it with a fun (hopefully fun) memory to talk about.

Thanks to Twitter user Steven Glansberg, who asked “What’s the most awkward date y’all ever been on?” we now have a collection of honest answers that tick all the boxes for a well-made drama film. Psst! After you're done, make sure to check out our previous post with the worst first date stories right here.

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    In a sense, every date is like your first date. The nervousness is real, but the level of it varies from person to person. Some see it as a test they want to pass real badly, others go with a more relaxed approach and see where the encounter takes them.

    So previously, Bored Panda contacted Susan Winter, love coach and author of “Breakup Triage: The Cure for Heartache,” to find out what she has to say about nailing the dating game. It turns out, even if the impulse to create romantic relationships exists, the skill set to do so may not. Susan said that there’s been an increasing loss of capacity for clear communication and clarity of "dating purpose."

    #4

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    Anna Banana
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not an ideal date situation but at least his parents are happy. It has to be better than learning that mom is cheating on dad.

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    Dan Buczynski
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You got the assignment wrong. This thread is for bad dates only. This one sounds awesome.

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    Sum Guy
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hahaha... What we see here folks is what cartoons have been trying to depict with the angel and demon on each shoulder

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    According to Susan, it’s important to know what you want and how you want it: “Without mental clarity, there is no emotional clarity.” Firstly, “we must know what we want out of a relationship.” And secondly, “we must define those goals to our perspective mate, using language they understand, e.g. 'I want a partner,' or 'I'm just looking to have fun.'"

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    Tara Brooks
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I adore her! Now I’m curious who it was... I looked it up. His name is Mark Anthony "Gator" Rogowski

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    I want cake
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, that's toxic as all hell. Using your children to guilt women into camping home with you, is just terrible. I feel really sorry for that kid.

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    Dan Buczynski
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How long do you think he sat there, timing your "bathroom break" before he realized what happened?

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    When asked whether people still date in these unprecedented times, the relationship coach assured us that they indeed do, but nobody really calls it “dating” anymore. “This seems to be a resistance to the term itself. 'Dating' may feel too formal a word for some people who'd rather say they're hanging out, or hooking up,” she explained.

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    Meanwhile, more and more singletons are now getting into doing "proper dates." Susan explained: “Old-school protocol can seem interesting and new wave when it's a novel departure from the norm of nondescript get-togethers.”

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    “If your partner takes the time and energy to plan a great date, then you know they have the capacity to invest time and energy into a relationship.” So no date should be overlooked. Planning a first date is a way to show that you're invested in making a good impression. “Plan in advance. Know your partner's preferences: their likes and dislikes. Be creative. Be thoughtful. Be kind,” suggested Susan.

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    Yaz Cam
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Moral of the story: I had no idea how to spell tchotchkes 🤦🏾‍♀️

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    Jonathan
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You shouldn't have followed the location, could have gotten yourself murdered.

    Jaclyn Levy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yay, victim blaming! My favorite! Maybe instead try "don't set up and lead your 2nd date to a bondage sex tent in the forest without her knowledge or consent."

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    Anne
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    he shouldn't have done that.. but.. if you follow a location, you get the map of things.. if that's a forrest.. Id nope out of that so fast though..

    Rissie
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited)

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    There's no victim blaming because there is no victim. This was incredibly naive. Period. Stop victimizing someone and get a grip.

    CrunChewy McSandybutt
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just want to take a moment to analyze this wording, "could have gotten yourself murdered." Interesting. So, if a woman gets murdered, she did it to herself and it is not the fault of the, you know, MURDERER?

    Rissie
    Community Member
    3 years ago

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    Stop that. This was naive and yes, you do have some responsibility for your actions. There is no victim so be glad it's just advice.

    Logic and Reason
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “You could have gotten yourself murdered”? Not, “Someone else almost murdered you”?

    Rissie
    Community Member
    3 years ago

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    Don't just don't. This is stupid and naive no matter the wording.

    Logic and Reason
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Try to make me stop. Even in hypotheticals the victim shouldn’t be blamed. Period.

    Tara Ray
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited)

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    No one is genius... 🙄 If you take advice as criticism, then you will never learn or grow.

    Logic and Reason
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah wow, ‘don’t get yourself murdered’ is stellar advice, I never would have had that thought otherwise.

    Tara Ray
    Community Member
    3 years ago

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    Don’t be an idiot is the advice, which is probably something your very familiar with....

    Tara Ray
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m sorry, this is not victim blaming for all you cry babies. Why the hell would you go and meet someone in a forest after 1 date!?!? People don’t stop murdering and raping because it’s against the law....

    Marlowe Fitzpatrik
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Exactly. I mean, considering that I'm really outdoorsy and interested in forests, I might definitely be the type of person who would go to the forest after one date. BUT: I for sure would expect to be warned first (for dress-reasons, obviously) and a tent in the woods would make me run, too. Sheesh! It's good advice and it's not 'victim-blaming' since SHE posted this and not the guy with the tent. If he had, obviously we would say "You shouldn't have done that, you dip-s**t!"

    Katinka Min
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I went on walks with dates, and to forrests, too, because I won a dog. It's really not that unusual.

    Tara Ray
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The amount of people that are crying about wording is scary. You have to teach your kids to be smarter and how to protect themselves. That’s unfortunately the kind of world we live in.... BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY!

    Laura Dawson
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She shouldn’t have gone yes I agree, it’s common sense for men & women not to go meet someone they barely know in a secluded spot but the focus ought to be on the pervert who expected “that” on a second date without a flicker of doubt.

    Wandaluzt
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And you're trying to tell someone on Twitter from a different website because?

    Natalia A
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Going into a forest on a second date? No thanks, that's how stories in Criminal Minds begin!

    Brandi VanSteenwyk
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hindsight being 20/20, I am sure the OP already berates herself for not turning tail immediately upon seeing the forest location. Even more, thanking God that she survived to share her story.

    Seabeast
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Always meet at something like a coffee shop in the middle of the day.

    Lisa Shelton
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah nah, I'd have noped out of there as soon as I saw the forest.

    deanna woods
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am fairly certain that another young woman in that area has gone missing. I hope not, but that's the vibe I am getting.

    StrawberryParfait
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NEVER MEET STRANGE MEN FOR DATES IN A PRIVATE SETTING. Also, let them come to you. A man who is interested in YOU will be happy to make it convenient for you, but a man playing the numbers game and just looking for sex will make it convenient for himself. Don't fall for it, ladies!

    Yvonne Blau
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So a guy you've just met asks you to meet him in the forest for the second date, and you actually go... golly, I guess I'm really getting old, I'm not adventurous enough for this world.

    Clearly sunny
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As soon as I saw its remote Forest I would have ran.

    Jessica
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Girl you can't listen to that little voice in your head, The one that is telling you to say "f**k it I'm adventurous I can do this and be fine" thinks it's living in a world that doesn't exist where there is no violence against women. Unfortunately living in what to some may seem like extreme caution could be the difference between life and death

    Thalia M
    Community Member
    3 years ago

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    the dumbest thing was not to report him for attempted rape or at least notify the police so they can save the next girl....instead just let him have another go and the next one...well done you ..but seeing how you just follow a stranger where he tells you....small chances you actually have any conscience

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    #22

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    Natalia A
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good for you! I was once told by a guy I had a crush on that he didn't fancy me because he didn't fancy bigger girls.

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    #25

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    Ellie J
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I'd prefer a whole child crawling out rather than half a child

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    #32

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    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In his mind you already proved that you're very rich, so you surely wouldn't mind buying him a ps5. Logic....

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    #33

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    Candace Fitzpatrick
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As much as I agree that this person dodged a bullet, I find it really weird when people go to a restaurant and don’t order anything.

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    #38

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    Arctic Fox Lover
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, the whole "Kids calling me stepmom" jazz might work in a cheesy movie, but DO NOT let your kids do this irl :0

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    #39

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    Hermien Greeff
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So the most awkward date should be her story, not yours. Psychopath at works stalks me until I agree to go out with her son, hoping I can convince him to get her to stop.

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    #43

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    Marianne
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She probably read that imitating your date will create a connection. She does not understand this concept, apparently.

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    Anna Banana
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Definitely out of line with that comment, but I appreciate the attempt at self-deprecating humour.

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    Carol Emory
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would have turned to the women and said "If anyone wants a real meal, be at my car in 2 minutes." Leave the men to do the dishes and to figure out why they are alone. Plus, I'd like to know who cooked it. If it was the women...I'd just stop cooking for them.

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    #52

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    Dark_flame
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really don't get bragging about their criminal record, some ppl use that as a pick-up line!!

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    #54

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    Natalia A
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel bad for you but also for the child. Who leaves their child with a stranger?!!

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    #55

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    Arctic Fox Lover
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder why it couldn't have lasted longer. Well, I know one thing for sure, her presence made everything so much better and didn't make things awkward and uncomfy whatsoever! 🤪

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    #65

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    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Flying roaches and fragile drywall are both pretty common in Florida. Nothing forgives a filthy house on a date though.

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    #69

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    Sum Guy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What was he supposed to do, have you wait by the side of the road

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    JessG
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That doesn't mean he was a bad person, and it doesn't mean he's crazy. He could have been telling the truth. Just sayin'

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    Minha Khan
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They may have been polyamorous (hopefully I spelled that right, I disabled autocorrect because darn you autocorrect), but she still probably should have written that in her bio if this was a dating app.

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    #78

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    Nadine
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honestly, I don't care if I get downvoted, but it shocks me how someone who supposedly has an education can't spell. Geez.

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    #79

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    Kimberly Young
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The day after a first date, we were texting about setting up a second date. I jokingly mentioned that there was a strip club down the road from where we had dinner the night before. He said it wasn't his thing, but he'd go if I wanted to. He was pretty relieved when I said I was joking. We've been married almost 3 years.

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    #80

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    brukernavn340
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get it. Personally I prefer listening to music only when I can devote my full attention to it, so I don't listen to music that often.

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    #81

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    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So the most awkward date should be his story, not yours. I took girl out to the movies, she slept until the movie was over and everyone was walking out.

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    #82

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