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Ask HN: Does anyone else have (or had) problems in dating or getting married?

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Ask HN: Does anyone else have (or had) problems in dating or getting married?

#1
I know this is not a dating/pua discussion forum; but I am similar to most people here. I am if anyone else here also suffering from dating dilemma. I am SE asian and live in Seattle. I am 31 and have no friend so far here in Seattle. Weather is so depressing that I have not seen the Sun in last 30 days.

I am not a very good looking guy. I go to the gym at least 3 times a week. I am not overweight as well. Only strike against me is my premature baldness. I personally don't think it is such a big deal now. However, when I was in SF, it was a big deal for most of the women.

Where do you meet women if you don't have social circle? I am on tinder and CMB, very rarely I get matched with someone. Chances of a serious relationship are almost zero with girls on tinder and CMB.

Do you have any suggestions?

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone else have (or had) problems in dating or getting married?

#4
Tinder isn't going to be what you want.

Consider others that are less focused on hookups.

Also try meeting people naturally. For example, Meetups and the such. Even other guys(they have female friends) and just try and socialize frequently. Also I'd say meeting someone at a cycling/climbing/any activity type clubs are great too. Or even board game or movie type clubs. If you are a se at big tech company. They sometimes have social event groups going on all the time. Just gotta find them.

Also don't wait for people to invite you places. The quickest way to get invited to places with peers and acquaintinces is to invite them to do something. A movie. Board games. Hiking. Potluck. Etc..

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone else have (or had) problems in dating or getting married?

#5
I've had good luck meeting nice people with Match. It's not as much of a meat market as Tinder. In my area, at least, it tends to have a lot of professional people that are looking to date more-or-less seriously, but have busy schedules that make meeting people organically difficult.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone else have (or had) problems in dating or getting married?

#6
Let me recommend you something really fun: Improv classes. I took only a 6 weeks class and it was great.

1) You'll be forced to be out of your comfort zone, which might be one of the reasons you are not meeting people: its comfortable not to (I've been there).

2) You'll be performing truly ridiculous acts, in its hilarity you'll likely form some bonds with the other students. Take the advantage to go for some drinks after.

3) Improv is all about being present, in the moment. Guess what, wooing women is the same.

4) You'll learn a thing or two about interpersonal relations. Which is good.

Now, the best way to meet women that you want to seriously date is through friends, since you claim you don't have a social circle, I would recommend that you focus on building one. So, in your improv classes, invite these new acquaintances for a pint of beer.

Finally, women, in my experience, are not as fixated in physical traits as we men are. Thus, I would not worry about your hair loss that much, and work more on improving social interactions. It is, however, important that you keep yourself presentable: nice clothes, brushed teeth, get some lotion, decent haircut.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone else have (or had) problems in dating or getting married?

#7
Yes, I do have suggestions. A couple of conditions:

- Not thinking about it as a thing someone does. - Not limiting oneself to places they judge to be the places to do that non thing (I don't know why people think it has to be in bar, club, gym.)

There's an enormous pressure on people that makes them do sad things. Going to meetups and "trying to make friends" is a bit sad because the premise is depressing.

You can meet people everywhere. Street, café, bus, beach, etc.

Here's a great way: have a standard reaction to someone looking at you. Warm smile (no need to show teeth, even), and a light "hi". Nothing fancy.

With anyone who looks at you long enough (old lady, big dude, police officer).

This prevents you from thinking of coming up with something to say, and trying to come up with something to say is what gets most people in trouble. It is also positive to the other person, simple. It is what you do with people you know.

The important thing here isn't really the reaction of the others. Some will ignore you. Some will think you're strange. Maybe they're having a bad day.

You will get in a lot of conversations with a lot of people in different situations. It takes the pressure out to "find friends" at meetups/bars/gyms at specific times because you can talk with anyone you want.

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