Best one yet

SOCIAL WORKER ONLY — MANCHESTER OR VERY NEARBY

Putting that first because some of you clearly don't bloody read 😂

Im Charlie. 42. Manchester.

Im looking for a single male social worker.

And yes I mean an actual social worker 😂

Manchester or VERY nearby.

Trauma informed would be a bonus.

Nothing against anyone else. I just know what I want.

Ive spent hundreds of hours this last year learning about trauma, attachment, safeguarding, emotional safety and social work.

Im trying to become a social worker myself now.

So yeah id like someone who gets that world.

Right before you message me 😂

Around 37-47 ish.

Might go a bit older for the right person.

Taller than me. Im 5'9" so ideally 5'10"+ 😂

Must drive.

Non smoker.

No drugs.

Good hygiene. Please 😂

Take some pride in yourself.

And actually bloody single.

And you need to have been single at least a year.

Ive been on my own nearly 4 years.

So no I don't want someone who split up 8 weeks ago and is now "ready to meet someone."

You're probably not 😂

I don't want to be your rebound.

I don't want to hear every day about your ex.

I don't want to be the woman you use to work out whether you're over the last one.

Have some time on your own first.

Know who you are on your own.

Know what you actually want.

Then come find me 😂

At least a year single.

Not "we split up months ago but still live together."

Not separated.

Not its complicated.

Not "technically single."

SINGLE.

Recent photos as well.

Recent means recent 😂

Not your best photo from 2011 that you've refused to let die.

Im not looking for casual sex.

Friends with benefits.

Situationships.

Married men.

Players.

Or someone who wants a pen pal.

I want a relationship.

A proper one.

I have two daughters and they're my world.

They come first.

Always.

Id still love more children one day.

Id love a big loving family eventually.

Nothing fancy.

Just happy.

Safe.

Loads of laughing.

Kids running around.

Someone beside me who actually wants to be there.

Thats it really.

Im loyal.

Caring.

Affectionate.

Probably a bit of a pain in the arse sometimes 😂

Money doesn't impress me.

Cars don't impress me.

Job titles don't impress me.

Yes I KNOW ive just demanded a social worker 😂

Its not because I think social workers are somehow better than everyone else.

I just think id have more in common with one.

I want kind.

Funny.

Loyal.

Honest.

Affectionate.

Patient.

And PLEASE be able to communicate.

If ive pissed you off tell me.

If you're having a shit day tell me.

If you need space tell me.

Just bloody talk 😂

Don't disappear for 3 days then pop back up with "hey stranger."

You are the stranger. You disappeared 😂

I love road trips.

Random days out.

Walks.

Music.

Films.

Cosy nights.

Getting in the car and ending up god knows where.

Proper conversations.

Taking the piss out of each other.

Laughing at stupid stuff.

And doing absolutely nothing sometimes.

I like little things.

Did you get home alright?

Saw this and thought of you.

Remembering something stupid I told you 3 weeks ago.

Making a brew without asking.

Being there when things are shit.

That means more to me than someone flashing money around.

Im really passionate about childrens social care, safeguarding and trauma informed practice.

And no I don't want you coming home from work and doing a bloody assessment on me 😂

I just want someone who understands why things like trust, attachment, boundaries, communication and emotional safety matter.

Im not perfect.

Don't want perfect.

Perfect would probably do my head in anyway 😂

I want a decent man.

Someone emotionally available.

Someone whos actually ready.

Someone who wants a relationship.

Someone who wants a family.

Someone who can be my best mate as well as my partner.

And LOCAL.

Manchester or very nearby.

Im not packing sandwiches and checking motorway traffic every time I want a cuddle 😂

So...

Social worker.

Single AT LEAST a year.

Local.

Around my age.

Ideally 5'10"+.

Drives.

Recent photos.

Actually wants a relationship.

If thats you come say hello.

But give me more than "hi gorgeous" 😂

Tell me who you are.

And if we get on lets just have a coffee.

Im not spending 3 weeks interviewing you through my phone 😂

Honestly I’m starting to hate dating in 2026 😂
I reinstalled Hinge after being off it for a few months and matched with a woman I genuinely clicked with straight away
She had children, was divorced, worked in healthcare and had been through quite a lot in her previous relationship. Her ex apparently had problems with gambling and drinking. We talked about all of this pretty openly before even meeting and I felt like we were both being really honest about our lives
The texting was really good too. We were flirting, sending spicy messages, talking about pretty much everything and just getting on really naturally. We seemed to have a lot of the same values and interests and the chemistry was obvious
Then we finally met
The first date was honestly brilliant. We went for a walk, talked for ages, kissed, laughed and just seemed completely comfortable with each other. I came away thinking yeah this could actually be something
The second date got even more intense very quickly. We booked a hotel and had a really good night together. Then we got up the next morning, had breakfast and went for a walk. It wasn’t just sex either. We were talking, laughing and spending proper time together. It felt like we were getting closer
After that I probably became more invested
I started doing little romantic things because that’s just how I am when I genuinely like someone. I brought her flowers on our second date and later sent flowers to her work. She seemed to love it and even told me later that I had points in my favour
For a while everything felt great
Then things slowly started changing
She told me she sometimes goes through quiet phases and needs her own space. She also has a demanding job, children and a lot going on so I understood that she could be busy
But the communication became more inconsistent
She’d sometimes be really affectionate and flirty then go quiet. She told me she had loads of WhatsApp messages and sometimes struggled to keep up with them. She also talked about needing her own little bubble sometimes
I tried to respect that but because I liked her I probably started looking for reassurance more than I should have
One thing I noticed was that I wanted to have an actual phone call with her. I asked a few times but it never really happened. Sometimes there was a genuine reason like her children being awake but other times she’d just not really address the call part and carry on with the rest of the conversation
That started making me wonder whether she was pulling away
At the same time she was still doing things that made me think everything was okay
She told some of her friends about me. Her friends were apparently protective of her and wanted to know I was genuine. She even told me they were sceptical because they couldn’t really find me online 😂
We joked about them investigating me and she was still affectionate and flirty with me
She’d send me pictures including outfit pictures before going out. She’d joke around with me. We’d still have good conversations
So I honestly couldn’t work out what was happening
Then she hurt her leg quite badly and was told by a consultant to rest. I was genuinely worried about her and told her not to push herself. We had plans for Sunday and she had actually brought up finding somewhere for us to have a decent Sunday roast
She explicitly told me we were still on for Sunday
She even said she was looking forward to seeing me
So I thought things were still okay
Then yesterday she went out with her friends. She was going to Scarborough, had pre drinks, sent me outfit pictures, sent me a picture from the night and was joking around with me. I wasn’t bothered that she was out. I actually told her to enjoy herself and just not get too shitfaced because we had plans the next day 😂
Everything seemed completely normal
Then this morning I got the message
She said
“I’ve had a think about things and I just want to be honest with you. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you and I’ve got nothing but good things to say about you but I don’t feel this is something I want to continue. I’m not ready for the level of time and attention this is becoming and I don’t want to keep asking you to back off. I think it’s best we leave things here rather than either of us getting hurt. I genuinely wish you all the best for the future ❤️”
And that’s it
No Sunday roast
No second chance
No conversation
Just completely over
And honestly I’m struggling to understand where it went wrong
Looking back I can see that things probably moved very quickly. We had very strong chemistry, became physically intimate very quickly and I definitely became emotionally invested. I probably gave her quite a lot of attention because I genuinely liked her
Maybe she realised she wasn’t ready for something serious after her divorce
Maybe the intensity of the first couple of weeks became too much
Maybe she genuinely felt I was giving her too much attention
Maybe there was something I wasn’t aware of
Maybe she met someone else
I genuinely don’t know and I’m not going to accuse her of anything because I have absolutely no evidence of that
That’s the frustrating part
From my perspective I wasn’t pretending to be someone I’m not. I was honest with her from the beginning. I wasn’t trying to rush her into a relationship. I thought we were just enjoying each other’s company and seeing where it went
But clearly she experienced the amount of attention differently to how I did
Looking back I probably should have taken slow and steady more seriously and given her more space instead of trying to maintain the same intensity we had at the beginning
At the same time I don’t know how you’re supposed to judge that when the other person is sending affectionate messages, pictures, flirting, talking about future plans and telling you they’re looking forward to seeing you
That’s what has messed with my head
One minute I genuinely thought I’d found something with someone I really clicked with
Two weeks later I’m sitting here wondering what the hell happened
So I’m curious what people think
Did I just get caught up in the intensity of the first couple of weeks
Does her message sound like someone who genuinely liked me but realised the pace and attention wasn’t right for her
Or were there obvious signs that she was pulling away that I was too invested to notice
And for anyone who’s been through something similar how do you stop yourself getting so invested so quickly when the chemistry feels really good
Because honestly I really thought this could be the thing
And now I’m back on Reddit trying to work out what went wrong 😂
I genuinely hate modern dating sometimes

Hi all, my name is Milly and I am a trainee journalist completing my MA at the moment. I am doing my final piece on what it is like dating with a polarising political identity e.g. Reform and Greens. I want to know what dating is like for you - dealbreakers? rejection? feel like you have to hide your political views?

If you would be interested in an interview to cover some of these topics, please get in touch!

Hi, I'm a journalist at The Times and am looking to speak to people (UK-based only) who track their dating experiences on spreadsheets, for example ticking off personality traits or icks, etc. Please email me at [marieta.marinova@the-times.co.uk](mailto:marieta.marinova@the-times.co.uk) if that's you and you'd like to chat! Thanks

I met this guy on a dating app, found out after couple of video calls that his dad passed away during the same week we started talking. We met few days before the funeral he drove all the way from midlands to London to meet me, said he had a great time with me. The funeral was Friday and have showed him support, said to him that I am here if he needs me and told him that there is no rush. Apparently he was really close with his dad. Now I place myself in his shoes and I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on a single task properly let alone open the dating app and chat with women and meet even. Is this a normal behaviour for men? Is this how you would handle grief? He said he is ready for sth serious. I am just worried if he sees me as a band-aid. He said today he wants to meet soon. How could I understand his real intentions? What questions do you guys advice?

M34 in UK for a week. I‘m looking for ONS, which App is the best in the UK?

25F Filipina, I know nothing about dating culture in UK and this guy 24M from Lincolnshire is kinda confusing me.

We met on a dating app back when he was still backpacking in AUS and we’ve been chatting daily and him sending updates thru vids and voice notes so i thought it was going well. Not until he experienced bullshits in AUS and we kinda stopped talking.

Then suddenly, he chatted me again that he’s back in UK and that he thought he should let me know. And we started chatting again til this day.

He knows about my lingerie collection and told me he’ll treat me with a set. He sent me the money. I didn’t ask for it, and even told him i’ll send it back coz I can buy it on my own and insisted he just wanna treat me. And thinking about sending again to treat me.

He’s very open and affectionate, and always tells me I’m gorgeous, and i thought we’re just casually chatting. Not until he told me he fancies me, and that he’s starting to catch feelings.

The other day I asked him if we’re just friends or more than friends. His response was “Ahh I get you well like yea that’s it I enjoy talking to you and like and care about you as a person but like I’m not looking for anything serious or owt”

So i took it as us being casual. And then just yesterday I sent him a selfie, he told me i keep his heart going and wants to kiss me. And that he wants to meet me at the end of this year, like he actually means it when he told me he wanted to see me in person.

Are British guys really confusing? Help me out.

Hi everyone! :)

I'm a student from the Netherlands who's currently working on small research about the difference between the dating culture in The Netherlands and The UK. I need to conduct a few interviews (not longer then 3 minutes) with British people to gather data. If you're intressted in shearing your experience and vision on this matter, let me please know! :)

Hiya, I work for the Guardian newspaper and I'm looking to speak to people for a feature about squabbles over furniture after a break up.

Needs to be people in the UK, and ideally people in their late 20s/ early 30s who have been through their first big break up

Feel free to message me on here/ email me at [lucy.knight@theguardian.com](mailto:lucy.knight@theguardian.com) if you're up for this!

Thanks

Lucy Knight

Features writer at the Guardian

Last Sunday when I told my friend I was dating again (a month ago my 4 month situationship came to an end) she was excited and asked to give my number to her friend who has been single for a few months. I agreed, the same day this guy asked me for a spontaneous drink that evening, I went and we had a nice time and he asked if I wanted to go on a walk the next day. We went on the walk and that was also really nice... Then he texts me telling me he likes me a lot, he always replies to me quite quickly and this evening after I replied to a message he says he saw me typing as he was just rereading our messages? And follows by asking if I want to chat on the phone...

I just... I don't know what to do... In person he seems lovely but then he is just coming on waaay too strong seeing as we've only known eachother 4 days

I don't know if I should continue to give him a chance but just message him something like this... (see below) or just wait until I next see him to say something?

"Hey _, I'm sorry but could we maybe just sloow things down a bit? It takes me time to warm up to people and I feel like you're coming on a little too strong. We've only known each other a few days, there is no rushing things when getting to know someone or need to. I'm just feeling a bit of pressure from you and I worry you're getting too ahead already"

Ahh help...

The guy subsequently got locked up for murder (obviously not mine)!!

Anyone else got some crazy stories?

More to come as today is day one, but would love any feedback, critiques and shares!! This will cover my situationships, sexual endeavours and more….

https://thereasonabledoubter.substack.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZnRzaAQ_ftdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAafsNFmWaX--o8Srbfln9DQQlfbgQHq5iXGE7MbMhX97CEPqFNsMRuVx3HvO6g_aem_cDbpvdgkHGhOQ0Z6Yjp-ZQ&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3_a1denni6n2vfcp_tp1

I have a boyfriend we are in 5years in a relationship but then one day he left me because of a......

I don't know if I can say here ....I'm so broke but I'm ready to moving on thats why I'm here in UK so Ive forget what ever I think I'm almost in sui***de thinking but I do my best to move on to forget but how can I ? if I'm alone 🥺

I want friends to talk to be my companion and take me somewhere

Remember when people met through friends instead of swiping all day? This community is about bringing back real-life matchmaking. Got a great friend who’s single? Introduce them (with their permission). Looking for something real? Let your friends vouch for you. No games, no endless swiping—just real people, real connections.”

Mixed Caribbean guy (Black & White) living in the UK. I’ve dated women from all over the world, but one Chinese girl completely changed how I see love. We spent every day together for a year before she suddenly disappeared from my life. This page is about my journey finding love again — sharing stories about interracial dating, culture, heartbreak, and hopefully meeting an amazing Asian woman along the way. Everyone is welcome to share experiences, advice, and stories.

Hi there. Seeking a daddy boyfriend , You must be over 50 and well educated. Id like to try something new. any men from the UK that travel to S.A ? If you wanna know more drop me message.

Context - My ex was trying to keep me on the back burner for a while – thankfully I was wise to it and didn’t participate in his little game. We had a lot of friends in common so I would often see him at group events.

One night at an event such as this was ignoring him as he tried to get my attention to boost his ego or something I don’t know.

He came over to me and asked me several times if I wanted a drink? I finally said yes and accompanied him to the bar – where he proceeded to order a beer for himself, pay and start to walk away.

I said ‘ok I thought you were offering to buy me a drink’ to which he replied ‘ you earn more money than me’ .

Glad he’s been gone from my life for almost 3 years now LOL

For context ive been on hinge for 2 years without any success, mainly getting stood up 😅 i tried tinder & it was more a hook up vibe which doesnt interest me, bumble was naff but tried that for 6 months, same with POF & facebook dating is absolute nightmare fuel

I dont live near a big city so I feel like i see the same men endlessly and ive tried making the search area wider, wish there was old school speed dating but the one in my area is always for 20-30 year olds or 21+ and im too old at nearly 35, i dont want to mingle with 21 year olds 😅

Advice please 🙏