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The Dating Advice and Support Thread

Just going back to what was said before, I don't think women "like assholes". Some men are very good at playing on people's insecurities and trapping them in a long term realtionship, but that doesn't mean walking up to a girl in a bar and acting like a tosser is going to get you laid. I think if it does, you are not doing a great job of being an asshole.

That's the kind of suggestion a 15 year old who worriedly measures his dick every night hoping it has grown might come up with.
 
Not to mention, is that really the type of relationship you'd want? I'd want to respect the person I'm with, not control him.
 
So what's the rules on asking someone out over Facebook?

Good lord man! Did you learn nothing from my closed thread? Asking a girl out over facebook is not the way to go. Maybe she won't find it creepy, but it will come off as a lack of confidence on your part. Why should she want to (possibly) enter into something with you if you don't even have the balls to ask her out face to face?

That being said, I may not be the best person in the world to offer that kind of advice (what with trying to introduce myself to a girl over facebook :p) but in my defense I've only ever asked out girls in person.

Well, the difference being you didn't know your girl and "met" her through Facebook.

Re: The asking her out at work thing. We work pretty different schedules and our jobs keep us both pretty busy during the course of the day and her work personality is much like my own where you're focused on the task and the job and not standing around talking to people all of the time.

Fair point on my situation being different. Is there no way you can talk to her in a non-work setting? Maybe take a break at the same time she does? Don't let her know you did it on purpose, just pretend it's a coincidence, strike up a conversation with her, and then ask her out.
 
^ Does not compute!

Anywho, I think the biggest mistake is talking about men and women like they're one homogenized block of like minds. Each person is different, and even general dating tips are only good for a small portion of the population. Nothing works 100%, and it shouldn't. For years I wanted to believe that women "liked assholes", but it just doesn't square with the wonderful women I know. I do believe women like a mystery, but even then, that's not everyone. I know women who like their men to be completely open and honest.

I struggled for many years with my self image. I was finally able to bring it more under control when I came to the conclusion that while there are women who would not be attracted to me, there are women who would be, and they would like to be with someone like me. That took a lot of convincing, as I have had very low self esteem most of my life, but I think that is turning around now.

The best thing to do is approach each person on an individual level. It's like "be yourself" but in reverse, in that you expect the person you're meeting to be themselves as well, and accept them as who they are. Yes, it can be scary, because you're putting your real self out there to be accepted or rejected, and the rejection can hurt, but when you're accepted for who you are, wow, it's just the greatest feeling.
 
I issue is that I don't meet single girls. In my entire office, which is 90% female, only one of them is single.

In my last job, all the girls were either married, in a relationship, or were single mothers (nothing against single mothers; I just have no interest in getting involved with someone that already has kids).

So it's not that I'm only attracted to married women. It's that I very rarely meet women that aren't married!

Get a hobby! Get out and meet new people! :)

You state, "In my office . . . In my last job . . . "

You're not limited to meeting only work people. If that's all you're doing, you're stuck in a work rut!

Mr Awe

Unfortunately, I have neither the time nor the money to invest in a new hobby at the moment.

I barely get to see my current friends as it is, so when I do have free time, I try to spend it with them.

I'm really not that bothered by it.

As long as you truly happy with the way you're living your life. You're the only judge that counts.

Having said that, I don't buy the time/money argument. Let's say you work 40 hours a week and you are active 16 hours a day/7 days a week. That means you are working only 35% of your active time. You've got the remaining 65% to fill up. And, hobbies don't have to be expensive. Hiking, book clubs, etc. Whatever floats your boat.

If you've got higher priorities, that's totally fine. Just make sure you are setting priorities consciously rather than just letting things happen.

Mr Awe
 
Sigh.

I really like this chick at work, she funny and sweet and everything. She's on Facebook right now and in my mind I just want to ask her out through Facebook but I suspect that'd be very creepy and lame.

I have no balls. That's my problem.

Why are these girls you like always at work? Find some outside of work. This gives you more leeway too. By that, I mean if it doesn't work out you don't have to see her at work.

Guys, don't limit yourself to girls at work. Get out, do things, and just meet more people. Meet lots of people, and, as Holdfast's brilliant post points out, the law of averages means that you'll meet someone.

Mr Awe
 
I was at the Oregon County Fair this weekend and approached and asked several strange women if I could take a photo of their costume (costuming is a big thing at the OCF) and this mostly went very well (like 15+ affirmatives and 4 negatives). It's not as if I asked any of them out but this is a step in the right direction. Baby steps, baby steps.
 
Having said that, I don't buy the time/money argument. Let's say you work 40 hours a week and you are active 16 hours a day/7 days a week. That means you are working only 35% of your active time. You've got the remaining 65% to fill up. And, hobbies don't have to be expensive. Hiking, book clubs, etc. Whatever floats your boat.
The things that float my boat cost a lot of money. :lol:

I used to have plenty of time and money for hobbies. Right now, I don't. Blame my job. Blame the economy. Blame whatever. I genuinely can't do much right now. I don't even like leaving my house because I can't afford to waste the gas. And like I said, when I do have free time, I spend it with my existing friends because I rarely get to see them otherwise.

My social life used to be much richer before I started working 1st Shift. I fucking hate 1st Shift.
 
Relationships are also about sex, you know. They have always been, and they always will be. If you always pretend you don't seek sex, you WILL end up being the "nice guy", too.

Yes, I agree. The "nice guy" is the one who's nice and totally non-threatening, i.e., non-sexual. Being self-assured - and humble (I find a degree of self-deprecation helps), but also clearly being interested is key to not being dismissed.

I also find being charming helps: don't spare the compliments. Of course honesty is also key. Bullshit compliments are pretty easy to detect.

Honesty+Self-respect+respect for the other person+attraction=WIN.

So what's the rules on asking someone out over Facebook?

She's a friend of my on Facebook, she's someone I know in real life, I send her a message asking her out and then see what happens -claiming or schedules at work at work don't allow for a good time to socialize and for me to ask her out there.

Given your scenario I say go for it. If she deletes you from her friend list then it will be clear you've crossed a line.

The key is to balance confidence in yourself with interest in the person you are interested in. You have to want to learn about her, and, more importantly, react to what she's telling you, and even what she isn't. Confidence without any legitimate interest comes off as just egocentric or, in plain English, assholish. Interest without confidence comes off as desperate and creepy.

There's a really fine line you have to walk to balance the two.

True, which is why I'd go for honesty even if brutal and be sure of your interest before getting too physical to avoid more hurt than is necessary (unless you really are a selfish asshole).

I struggled for many years with my self image. I was finally able to bring it more under control when I came to the conclusion that while there are women who would not be attracted to me, there are women who would be, and they would like to be with someone like me. That took a lot of convincing, as I have had very low self esteem most of my life, but I think that is turning around now.

The best thing to do is approach each person on an individual level. It's like "be yourself" but in reverse, in that you expect the person you're meeting to be themselves as well, and accept them as who they are. Yes, it can be scary, because you're putting your real self out there to be accepted or rejected, and the rejection can hurt, but when you're accepted for who you are, wow, it's just the greatest feeling.

Nice stuff J., though from what little I've seen of you as a poster (and in video) I find it hard to believe you'd lack that confidence in yourself.

I think the biggest key is not waiting for "the one," but also not going for anyone just because they expressed an interest in you. Patience is important in this quest. Even if you meet someone you like it can take time to develop "love" for someone, but it should be pretty clear right away (in my experience) if you're interested in the other person at all. I definitely think overanalysing emotion isn't helpful ("what is LOVE?"), but provided you're honest with yourself and the other person, it's possible to have a good time finding out if love is there.

Of course it may not be mutual and you have no control over the feelings of others so you may get hurt, but shying away from possible hurt means shying away from true happiness as well. I think I've said enough "self-help" crap for now...

I was at the Oregon County Fair this weekend and approached and asked several strange women if I could take a photo of their costume (costuming is a big thing at the OCF) and this mostly went very well (like 15+ affirmatives and 4 negatives). It's not as if I asked any of them out but this is a step in the right direction. Baby steps, baby steps.

Very bold and a good step; I cannot say I'd do the same - bravo!
 
Having said that, I don't buy the time/money argument. Let's say you work 40 hours a week and you are active 16 hours a day/7 days a week. That means you are working only 35% of your active time. You've got the remaining 65% to fill up. And, hobbies don't have to be expensive. Hiking, book clubs, etc. Whatever floats your boat.
The things that float my boat cost a lot of money. :lol:

I used to have plenty of time and money for hobbies. Right now, I don't. Blame my job. Blame the economy. Blame whatever. I genuinely can't do much right now. I don't even like leaving my house because I can't afford to waste the gas. And like I said, when I do have free time, I spend it with my existing friends because I rarely get to see them otherwise.

My social life used to be much richer before I started working 1st Shift. I fucking hate 1st Shift.


I still don't buy your reasons...but if they are true, you need to move.
 
I don't know if I've mentioned it here before, but the reason many people are in the current situation they're in is because that's what they want. Or they simply don't want things to change, maybe even on a subconscious level. Note that I said "many" people, not all.

If someone, like me, isn't in a relationship, it's most likely because he/she doesn't want to be in a relationship. All these reasons like not having enough confidence or not having enough time or saving oneself for marriage or waiting for the "right person" are excuses. Sure, if you have an anxiety problem or a medical condition that impairs your ability to communicate with others, that's understandable. Otherwise, I don't see the problem.
 
I still don't buy your reasons...but if they are true, you need to move.
You have no idea.

If you could find me a job, I'd move in a heart beat.

I have found plenty of attractive girls in other cities (Boston was awesome) while on vacation. But where I live...ugh...maybe there's something in the water, but people around here suck.
 
If someone, like me, isn't in a relationship, it's most likely because he/she doesn't want to be in a relationship. All these reasons like not having enough confidence or not having enough time or saving oneself for marriage or waiting for the "right person" are excuses.

Surely "saving yourself for marriage" is an absurd excuse for not trying to form a relationship, I can't imagine anyone using that one. How can you even get married if you don't try to get into a relationship :wtf:

As for your reasoning, I agree not wanting a relationship is one possible reason, I don't agree it is "most likely", that's entirely speculative. It's just as possible the "not wanting" is the excuse and the not having confidence is the reason. I don't think either of us are in a position to make that call for anyone but ourselves. And even then, we might not be a reliable source of information.
 
I'll put it this way. It's not that I don't want a relationship; I just don't want one enough to put the effort in. I have other things I'm focusing on right now.
 
If someone, like me, isn't in a relationship, it's most likely because he/she doesn't want to be in a relationship. All these reasons like not having enough confidence or not having enough time or saving oneself for marriage or waiting for the "right person" are excuses.

Surely "saving yourself for marriage" is an absurd excuse for not trying to form a relationship, I can't imagine anyone using that one. How can you even get married if you don't try to get into a relationship :wtf:
"Surprise! You're married!"
 
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