30, dating for first time (internet). Advice please

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luvtaread
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01 Oct 2015, 9:17 am

Hi all. I am 30, have never been in a relationship and am very shy and nervous. I met this guy on a website and we have been talking awhile, we also went out for coffee once (that was really hard for me). I have a really hard time figuring out if he is really interested in me, if I share too much to fast or if I am being too invasive.
Some background: we met on a site talked there for around a week and exchanged regular email, which we talked on for about a week, then phone numbers. We texted for awhile but he tried to call once and I panicked and had to hang up. He was really understanding and keeps telling me to go at my own pace. Shortly after the panic phone call I called him again and we talked for a few minutes. After that we set up our coffee date and met. I was really nervous and shaking, he could tell but tried to put me at ease. He was very calm and polite, never tried to touch me. I have told him I have pretty bad social anxiety but not about the Asperger's. I have told him that I have never had a relationship before. I am exceptionally honest but realize not everyone is. There are other things I want to tell him, I live with my parents, Asperger's and such, but I don't want to drown him in information too fast. I also really want to keep asking him questions about himself, but I don't want to be too invasive. Right now our conversations are pretty much, how is your day? that's great have a good rest of the day. I want to meet again and keep going, I told him once but he had to cancel due to work issues and said we would reschedule but has yet. Should I ask again or is that too desperate? Is it ok to keep asking questions or is that too pushy? He is really nice and seems patient but I am not sure if he is interested or not. I asked him and he said he was but he hasn't asked for another date yet. He also keeps getting back on the dating site, which I am sure is normal, but sometimes he will get on there and not text me back if I asked him a question. I know that I am probably being paranoid and getting obsessive but I am trying really hard not to be because I really like him and would like this relationship to work.
My main questions are:
-am I being to needy? (I send maybe 3 texts a day, most of which he responds too a few hours later at most (work)), he also sends some to me, maybe 1-2 a day? These are start of messages not responses. Is that too many? Am I responding too fast? I usually respond right away as I always have my phone on me. I don't want to seem too needy?
-Am I sharing too much too fast? I don't want to scare him away but at the same time I don't want to get attached and then have something I could have told him at the beginning scare him away later and be more hurt?
-Should I ask for another date? Is it really a date? We have been calling them 'meetings'
-How many questions/ how invasive are questions? I like talking to him he is funny but I am not sure how invasive or boring some questions are. Like I asked him what his favorite color was and he told me but then said I should ask more titillating questions (we are very frank about sex and he knows I very much want to go there with him).
- Does him getting on the site before texting me back mean he isn't interested, does it mean he is looking for someone better? I probably should stop checking the site but I don't want it to look like I am not getting messages and such.
-Pretty much any dating advice is greatly appreciated

Can anyone please give me some helpful advice? I am trying not to stress too hard but I really like him.
Thanks!! Also sorry for the long message but I wanted you to have all the details.



The Cat Ghost
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01 Oct 2015, 5:40 pm

Firstly, if he wasn't interested in you he probably wouldn't still be messaging you back. Assume he is interested until you have reason to assume otherwise... hopefully this will make things more comfortable for you.

Men (or probably anyone.. I'm a guy so I can only speak for men) LOVE talking about themselves. We like to look smart, sophisticated, and as James Bond-ey as possible in front of the ladies. At least that's the plan... You asking questions about us shows that you are interested so don't feel bad. Prepare to be bored as he tells you about the ins and outs of working in estate tax or some such nonsense though...

As for your questions, here are my responses. I've been on tons of dates and have been in a few really long-term relationships but I'm definitely not an expert.

1. 3 texts a day isn't a lot. 3 phone calls is a lot but texts are super "lightweight" connections. I usually try to match the amount of time the other person takes to respond but, honestly, it shouldn't matter. Everybody has a phone in their pocket and most people have the 5 seconds it takes to respond to a text right away without it seeming like they are sitting around waiting for a text. Don't worry about that part.

2. Sharing is good. I wouldn't disclose too many personal details at first since they're not really necessary. For me at least, I couldn't care less about someone still living at home as long as I'm not expected to come into the house and meet your parents before I pick you up for a first date (I've actually done that in my 30s... it's awkward). Stick to stuff like hobbies, interests, movies, pop culture, that kind of stuff to see if you have any mutual interests. Maybe ask some open-ended questions that might stimulate discussion like "if you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Would you stick to the resort or would you wander off and absorb the local culture?" or "what were you like in High School?" .... whether or not you are interested in the answers or not isn't important, we are simply trying to get a picture of his character to see if he might be a good match for you.

3. Ask any questions you like but if you notice that he seems to dodge a particular topic, make a note of it and change the subject. I wouldn't ask how much money he makes or who he voted for in the last election but pretty much anything is fair-game. Sex questions are fun as long as you keep them playful and light-hearted; most men will not be offended by a pretty lady asking them about sexy stuff.

4. Him being back on the site means that he is likely single and is thinking practically. It doesn't make much sense for him to put all his eggs in one lady-basket since the rejection rate for men is crazy high. Don't worry about it. He may even date other people while he is dating you... this is normal behaviour. You can even "date" a few guys at the same time until you get to the point where you feel comfortable enough with one of them to date exclusively.

Lastly, relax. Men are usually pretty insecure as well and we really really REALLY love it when you are interested in us. It's the best compliment you can give so give your attention to this guy if he seems like a nice one and don't feel bad about it. He probably gets a little excited and nervous every time he sees a new message.



luvtaread
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Joined: 1 Oct 2015
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01 Oct 2015, 5:54 pm

Thanks so much! That really helped a lot



WantToHaveALife
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03 Oct 2015, 2:35 pm

luvtaread wrote:
Thanks so much! That really helped a lot


being a 27 year old guy who is still single, always have been, I found this kinda shocking, I assume you are a woman, because you say you are meeting a guy, and I always find it more shocking to hear of a woman being over 25, or over 30 and never had a relationship before because I like to feel it's easier for women because men are still expected to make the first move and be the initiators.



luvtaread
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03 Oct 2015, 2:40 pm

Yes, I am a woman, didn't realize I didn't say that. Social anxiety and Asperger's make it hard to get out and if you don't go out it is hard to be asked out. On top of that my Asperger's makes it hard to discern peoples meanings, so if someone had flirted I wouldn't have known. It isn't easy for anyone I'm afraid. Online dating plus some anxiety meds has really made it easier for me, but still doesn't help me deal with NT's which is why I posted here for some helpful advice.



WantToHaveALife
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03 Oct 2015, 3:10 pm

luvtaread wrote:
Yes, I am a woman, didn't realize I didn't say that. Social anxiety and Asperger's make it hard to get out and if you don't go out it is hard to be asked out. On top of that my Asperger's makes it hard to discern peoples meanings, so if someone had flirted I wouldn't have known. It isn't easy for anyone I'm afraid. Online dating plus some anxiety meds has really made it easier for me, but still doesn't help me deal with NT's which is why I posted here for some helpful advice.


well it's what I've observed for a couple of years now, whenever I hear of a person who is over the age of 25, or over 30 and never had a relationship before, still a virgin, it's almost always men, or maybe women are just less vocal about it than men are