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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.

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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#5

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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
Community Member
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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#8

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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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#9

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Dan Buczynski
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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.”

“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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#16

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Yaz Cam
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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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#19

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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.

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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
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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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#45

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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
Community Member
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.

#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
Community Member
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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#72

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

That must have resulted in a surreal level of awkward!

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

Okay so she thought he was a butch lesbian. Being a lesbian she doesn’t want to date him. What’s wrong with that?

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