Where do you meet guys these days?

katie99

I would like to know where does one go in Dublin city centre to meet guys these days?
I don't want to sound desperate but it would be nice to chat with a guy and maybe go on a few dates. The last few times myself and a few friends were in the city centre, we didn't see any single guys.
Have things changed so drastically?
I know it is unlikely to meet guys in pubs and I don't do clubs any more, but where else can you meet them?

Vanbis

katie99 wrote: »

I would like to know where does one go in Dublin city centre to meet guys these days?
I don't want to sound desperate but it would be nice to chat with a guy and maybe go on a few dates. The last few times myself and a few friends were in the city centre, we didn't see any single guys.
Have things changed so drastically?
I know it is unlikely to meet guys in pubs and I don't do clubs any more, but where else can you meet them?

Boards

Novella

I actually did meet my bf on Boards, so yeah! But you can meet guys anywhere, from the supermarket to the library. I think when you're not consciously looking, these things are more likely to happen. Just concentrate on yourself and having fun, and as overused as this is, it'll happen when you least expect it.

reallyrose

I met my bf when I was out for a drink with someone I met on okcupid.
He (my bf) was a friend of the okc guy. And I was promptly stolen. :pac:

So, internet dating works by proxy.

Nervous Wreck

katie99 wrote: »

I would like to know where does one go in Dublin city centre to meet guys these days?
I don't want to sound desperate but it would be nice to chat with a guy and maybe go on a few dates. The last few times myself and a few friends were in the city centre, we didn't see any single guys.
Have things changed so drastically?
I know it is unlikely to meet guys in pubs and I don't do clubs any more, but where else can you meet them?

Lads make up half the population of the world. You'll find us everywhere, especiallly places where there are women (*coughladiesloungecough*).

To quote Jerry Seinfeld: "Where ever there's women, we've got a guy on the case."

Just be sure not to get restricted by Ireland's pub-hook-up-culture. Irish people reckon you can only meet people when you're out drinking and that's a complete fallacy.

Ruby-J

Hi OP,

I have found the best place for me to chat and get to know a guy and then meet in person as I know we have some things in common etc-is online. It seems to be the latest craze now too as more and more people are doing it. Now dont get me wrong there are a fair few crazies online aswell as people looking for "fun" etc but there are a good few decent folk out there who are looking for dating and relationships.

I have recently met someone online and am now dating him and all is going really well im glad to say. But as we both said our paths never wouldve crossed if we hadnt gone online dating.

jion a club which is mixed like rowing maybe ?

LadyW

I've been "least expecting it" for more years than I am prepared to admit to on Boards so I have pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I will never meet anyone and will eventually end up being referred to as "that mad auld wan" that lives on her own

leahyl

LadyW wrote: »

I've been "least expecting it" for more years than I am prepared to admit to on Boards so I have pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I will never meet anyone and will eventually end up being referred to as "that mad auld wan" that lives on her own

I know how you feel....hate this idea that pubs are the only places to meet people:mad:

RacoonQueen

Novella wrote: »

But you can meet guys anywhere, from the supermarket to the library. I think when you're not consciously looking, these things are more likely to happen. Just concentrate on yourself and having fun, and as overused as this is, it'll happen when you least expect it.

The bits in bold I want to emphasise. Don't stress, relax, be yourself and just let it happen. If you go looking you're unlikely to find, not the right one anyway. I've said it to a couple of friends of mine time and time again that they need to stop 'looking'.

I've met guys in pubs but not as part of the drinking culture but because I was there to watch the footy/rugby so I'd classify it as meeting them via my hobbies.

Fittle

I always laugh when people say you can meet a guy at the supermarket.

I think if you look a bit like Cameron Diaz u might get chatted up in Tesco yep:D

But I also think the more 'normal' looking women (like myself;)) don't meet guys in the vegetable aisle....

By normal I mean quite attractive btw:D...just not cameron diaz..:rolleyes:

Novella

Fittle wrote: »

I always laugh when people say you can meet a guy at the supermarket.

I think if you look a bit like Cameron Diaz u might get chatted up in Tesco yep:D

But I also think the more 'normal' looking women (like myself;)) don't meet guys in the vegetable aisle....

By normal I mean quite attractive btw:D...just not cameron diaz..:rolleyes:

I think it's funny that you think you couldn't meet someone in the supermarket. You don't need to be a famous actress, or even exceptionally attractive to meet a man in a place that isn't typically renowned for couplings. Imo it's kind of sad that so many people think they need to go out, all dressed up and have a few drinks to meet a person of the opposite sex.

Maybe it's just me but I've met interesting and nice people (not just guys) in all kinds of places. Last time I was in the doctors waiting room, I bumped into a guy I used to go school with about ten or twelve years ago and we had a great chat.

You don't have to be Cameron Diaz (to use your example) for a man to think that you're the most beautiful person he has ever seen. Or maybe I'm just a total die-hard romantic.

Gunsfortoys

The girl never has to be attractive:rolleyes:

Fittle

Fittle wrote: »

But I also think the more 'normal' looking women (like myself;)) don't meet guys in the vegetable aisle....

I hope i'm "normal" looking :P, I'm certainly not Diaz-a-like.
From time to time I met people this way. Hell I have made friends while shopping never mind dates.

I think if a guy is looking for a date it is less intimidating for them, because your generally alone, your relaxed and there is no competition around.
They know that the show of bravado, will earn them brownie points too.

Wibbs

Gunsfortoys lets dial it back please.

shinikins

Fittle wrote: »

I always laugh when people say you can meet a guy at the supermarket.

I think if you look a bit like Cameron Diaz u might get chatted up in Tesco yep:D

But I also think the more 'normal' looking women (like myself;)) don't meet guys in the vegetable aisle....

By normal I mean quite attractive btw:D...just not cameron diaz..:rolleyes:

Not true...I look NOTHING like Cameron Diazyet i've been chatted up in my local Tesco. Mind you, he was a minger, so he had no chance

Try internet dating, you can meet some really nice guys there that you wouldn't ever meet otherwise. Granted there are a few wierdos online(like the 5' fatso who told me he was 6'2" and built lol), but your bullsh!t radar should weed them out. Even if you don't meet the man of your dreams, you can meet some nice people to hang out with.

rannerap

Fittle wrote: »

I always laugh when people say you can meet a guy at the supermarket.

I think if you look a bit like Cameron Diaz u might get chatted up in Tesco yep:D

But I also think the more 'normal' looking women (like myself;)) don't meet guys in the vegetable aisle....

By normal I mean quite attractive btw:D...just not cameron diaz..:rolleyes:

i met my bf in a supermarket:D granted i was working in it but still!

forestfruits

Im organising a man hunting weekend away for some of my single friends (Im not actually allowed to call it manhunting though as some of us have bfs).

Any of you ladies suggest a location? preferably not a city though!

seanio23

try joining a club or take up a class which you would never usually do. Itz good to be out of your comfort zone as it makes you engage with others

Gunsfortoys

Wibbs wrote: »

Gunsfortoys lets dial it back please.

Oh come on, it's ridiculous that some girls say lads will simply accept them for who they are while the lad has to look like something out of a Calvin Klein for men advert. Bit pathetic not to mention unrealistic.

Silverfish

Gunsfortoys wrote: »

Oh come on, it's ridiculous that some girls say lads will simply accept them for who they are while the lad has to look like something out of a Calvin Klein for men advert. Bit pathetic not to mention unrealistic.

Where did you get that from?

Novella

Gunsfortoys wrote: »

Oh come on, it's ridiculous that some girls say lads will simply accept them for who they are while the lad has to look like something out of a Calvin Klein for men advert. Bit pathetic not to mention unrealistic.

Yeah, no one even said that.

discobeaker

forestfruits wrote: »

Im organising a man hunting weekend away for some of my single friends (Im not actually allowed to call it manhunting though as some of us have bfs).

Any of you ladies suggest a location? preferably not a city though!

Can i go to this night out cos i would love to be hunted please

Anyway,probably some place like flannerys on wexford street might be a place you could find us men folk. Thats the best i can come up with.

Eve_Dublin

I dunno, they say the pub is a crap place to meet men....I´ve met all my exes in the pub, even outside of Ireland. Granted they are all "exes" but most of them were pretty good while they lasted....you just need to be pickier on the pubs you go to.

Reku

katie99 wrote: »

The last few times myself and a few friends were in the city centre, we didn't see any single guys.

Am I the only one who read this and got the image of a girl going around with radar dish and metal detector type gear waving them over blokes to see if they were single?

or better yet:

Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum! I smell the blood of a single man!

Guest 2010

Eve_Dublin wrote: »

I dunno, they say the pub is a crap place to meet men....I´ve met all my exes in the pub, even outside of Ireland. Granted they are all "exes" but most of them were pretty good while they lasted....you just need to be pickier on the pubs you go to.

But where exactly do go to to meet nice normal men (in a decent pub) over thirty ish or younger ( I may become a cougar - have not decided) that carry less baggage than ryanair. I m sick of meeting drunk- demented-drugged- pretenious men. I would consider myself decent -easygoing and love to have a good laugh . Unable to find this in Dublin ....WHY

Eve_Dublin

Guest 2010 wrote: »

But where exactly do go to to meet nice normal men (in a decent pub) over thirty ish or younger ( I may become a cougar - have not decided) that carry less baggage than ryanair. I m sick of meeting drunk- demented-drugged- pretenious men. I would consider myself decent -easygoing and love to have a good laugh . Unable to find this in Dublin ....WHY

Doesn´t everyone 30 and over have "baggage" though? I´m 30 and I know I certainly do. Wouldn´t hold that against someone.

I guess I met lads in pubs when I was in my 20s. Hmmm. Nice men in Grogans in Dublin. My kind of men anyway....hairy and creative.

MoodeRator

Guest 2010 wrote: »

But where exactly do go to to meet nice normal men (in a decent pub) over thirty ish or younger ( I may become a cougar - have not decided) that carry less baggage than ryanair. I m sick of meeting drunk- demented-drugged- pretenious men. I would consider myself decent -easygoing and love to have a good laugh . Unable to find this in Dublin ....WHY

you MUST be using wrong bars or clubs? actually why am I even posting>? this has nothing to do with me! SORRY!

RacoonQueen

Guest 2010 wrote: »

But where exactly do go to to meet nice normal men (in a decent pub) over thirty ish or younger ( I may become a cougar - have not decided) that carry less baggage than ryanair. I m sick of meeting drunk- demented-drugged- pretenious men. I would consider myself decent -easygoing and love to have a good laugh . Unable to find this in Dublin ....WHY

Most pubs would have a good mix of ages. In fact most pubs would have men from their mid-20's up moreso than younger men.

katie99

thank you all for your contributions. But I am still none the wiser!!
what clubs does one join for example? Not into sailing, walking with people 20 years older, I just wanna be able to go somewhere to meet nice guys. Help!:D

RacoonQueen

katie99 wrote: »

thank you all for your contributions. But I am still none the wiser!!
what clubs does one join for example? Not into sailing, walking with people 20 years older, I just wanna be able to go somewhere to meet nice guys. Help!:D

What are you interested in? For example, if you enjoying running join an athletics club, if you enjoy yoga or martial arts or think you might like them - join a club. Don't join just to meet men though, join to make new friends and take up a new hobby.

greenmachine88

best way to meet a girl/guy is through a friend, just as it's the best way to meet new friends cause you know that if you're friend likes someone then they can't be too bad.

George Orwell 1982

katie99 wrote: »

thank you all for your contributions. But I am still none the wiser!!
what clubs does one join for example? Not into sailing, walking with people 20 years older, I just wanna be able to go somewhere to meet nice guys. Help!:D

Right, I am a guy and have posted about the same problem in another thread here.

The internet dating scene seems crap. The best solution anyone came up with was to join a club/ sport where there was mostly members of the opposite sex. So I have signed up for netball.;)

Are the boards nights out any good? Could the ladies lounge and gentlemans club get together and organise a night out?

hobochris

I've herd Tag rugby is meant to be great for meeting those of the opersite sex.. Cant speak from experience as im spoken for, but I have herd good things about it.

SerialComplaint

hobochris wrote: »

I've herd Tag rugby is meant to be great for meeting those of the opersite sex.. Cant speak from experience as im spoken for, but I have herd good things about it.

I was at a 'tag wedding' a few weeks back, for a couple who met playing tag. Man, those tag girls were very, very hot. It's the ideal activity for any single guys out there.

I also know quite a few couple who met up on voluntary organisations, like the Red Cross, Civil Defence, Order of Malta, St John's Ambulance etc.

Fittle

Right, so i't sjust me who doesn't get chatted up in Tesco...:o

I've tried the internet stuff too...abysmal would be the phrase I'd use. I put alot of effort into it...decided I needed to be more pro-active. Boy, will I NOT be going back there again!
What about women like me who aren't remotely sporty! In my head, I could play netball. The reality would, however, be slightly different;)
Might keep my eye out and try the boards beers...

beks101

Are you a member of a gym? They're full of men generally.

I usually keep myself to myself in my gym but there was a fire alarm one night a few weeks back and everyone had to evacuate...standing outside the gym was about 30 semi-naked fit and mostly quite cute men...and me

Have been hanging out a little more down the back at the weights section working on 'toning' ever since

Elessar

SerialComplaint wrote: »

I also know quite a few couple who met up on voluntary organisations, like the Red Cross, Civil Defence, Order of Malta, St John's Ambulance etc.

It's true!! I'm in the order of malta and every damn couple you meet met in it! There are more marriages of order volunteers than anything else! Many have been going 10+ years together. Just last week I met an 18 year old girl (on duty) who just got engaged to another order guy! It's a great way to meet people.

Now, I've not much luck myself after 4 years but I think that's more about me than anything else!

Improbable

You could always just hang around universities and get chatting to people. Nothing wrong with scoping out the young talent.

Larianne

beks101 wrote: »

Are you a member of a gym? They're full of men generally.

I usually keep myself to myself in my gym but there was a fire alarm one night a few weeks back and everyone had to evacuate...standing outside the gym was about 30 semi-naked fit and mostly quite cute men...and me

Have been hanging out a little more down the back at the weights section working on 'toning' ever since

Ooh, I wouldn't want to meet a guy in the gym. I'm usually sweaty and beetroot faced.

The best way is through a club or through friends. Evening classes of some sort if you're not into sport. Painting/Drawing, language class, cookery class etc.

If you stop desperately looking, a decent guy tends to pop out of nowhere!

LilMsss

I don't agree with the idea that if 'you just stop looking' you'll meet someone! I am sick to death of people saying that to me.

There is a difference between being desperate and being open to meeting someone. I understand the logic behind it, as in if you are comfortable with yourself and are relaxed and having fun, people are more likely to approach you.

But I think if you are serious about meeting someone then you have to be proactive about it, and you can be proactive while being all of the above: fun, relaxed, open etc.

If you wanted to lose weight, no one would tell you to forget about the gym and eat whatever you want and you'd lose weight when you stop trying. Meeting members of the opposite sex is no different.

While I agree that people who are actively seeking someone to the extent that it takes over their entire lives are probably unlikely to meet the kind of person they're looking for, there has to be some give and take.

You have to go and be seen in the places were the type of people you want to meet are likely to be, you have to make sure you're looking your best and that you're open and approachable, and after than, just enjoy yourself and see what happens.

sharpey85

greenmachine88 wrote: »

best way to meet a girl/guy is through a friend, just as it's the best way to meet new friends cause you know that if you're friend likes someone then they can't be too bad.

so true!!!

Feeona

LilMsss wrote: »

You have to go and be seen in the places were the type of people you want to meet are likely to be, you have to make sure you're looking your best and that you're open and approachable, and after than, just enjoy yourself and see what happens.

I agree with this apart from the bold bit. I would say' You have to go and do something you like doing' instead.

I also agree that being told that if you stop looking, you'll meet someone is extremely annoying! When I was single, it was always people who were in couples who said this to me! It's like telling a beggar on the street 'If you stop looking for money, it'll come to you'. If the person who says things like these is in a privileged position themselves, it just comes across as really patronising.

Misticles

Boardsie Dating section FTW
could work ya know

Larianne

LilMsss wrote: »

I don't agree with the idea that if 'you just stop looking' you'll meet someone! I am sick to death of people saying that to me.

There is a difference between being desperate and being open to meeting someone. I understand the logic behind it, as in if you are comfortable with yourself and are relaxed and having fun, people are more likely to approach you.

But I think if you are serious about meeting someone then you have to be proactive about it, and you can be proactive while being all of the above: fun, relaxed, open etc.

If you wanted to lose weight, no one would tell you to forget about the gym and eat whatever you want and you'd lose weight when you stop trying. Meeting members of the opposite sex is no different.

While I agree that people who are actively seeking someone to the extent that it takes over their entire lives are probably unlikely to meet the kind of person they're looking for, there has to be some give and take.

You have to go and be seen in the places were the type of people you want to meet are likely to be, you have to make sure you're looking your best and that you're open and approachable, and after than, just enjoy yourself and see what happens.

I agree with your post totally. When I said stop desperately looking it was in relation to pretty much what I highlighted in bold.

I have one or two single friends who focus so intently on finding a guy they end up not enjoying themselves and wind up upset come the end of the night.

Putting yourself out there in different situations and being approachable is the way to do it. Saying yes more often - going to different events like an art exhibition or a music gig or playing a game of tag, something that you wouldn't normally go to opens you up to meeting a wider range of people outside your usual circle.

Feeona wrote: »

I also agree that being told that if you stop looking, you'll meet someone is extremely annoying! When I was single, it was always people who were in couples who said this to me! It's like telling a beggar on the street 'If you stop looking for money, it'll come to you'. If the person who says things like these is in a privileged position themselves, it just comes across as really patronising.

Well, I am single myself. Now thinking about it the times when people have said this to me was when I was moaning about being single!

Faith

Larianne wrote: »

I have one or two single friends who focus so intently on finding a guy they end up not enjoying themselves and wind up upset come the end of the night.

This is so very true. Recently, I went out one night knowing that I wasn't interested in meeting anyone. I promptly met someone (nothing happened, but still). Another week I went out and had my mind on said guy, who wasn't out, but loads of other guys kept hitting on me. Last week, I was determined something would happen with someone, and I couldn't see a guy for love nor money who was vaguely attractive! After the first two nights, I went home in a fantastic mood. The last night I went home upset, and my bad mood carried through for several days.

Misticles

Misticles wrote: »

Boardsie Dating section FTW
could work ya know

meh!

It is bad enough getting rid of a weirdo who has your number, nevermind one who knows where you live on the internet.

Larianne wrote: »

Ooh, I wouldn't want to meet a guy in the gym. I'm usually sweaty and beetroot faced.

But see that is the charm! He has seen you at your worst straight off the bat and still thinks your hawt!

MD!

boardsie dating section????? where!

Flojo

God I smell trouble!

Sad fact is nearly every single one of my previous partners I have met out on the lash.

Improbable

Flojo wrote: »

God I smell trouble!

Sad fact is nearly every single one of my previous partners I have met out on the lash.

Hate it when that happens!

Pembily

Moonbaby wrote: »

It is bad enough getting rid of a weirdo who has your number, nevermind one who knows where you live on the internet.

I find running away generally works!!! As I did last night!!! I am not looking but if I was I would rather look sober and not in the state I was in last night, you can't get to know someone when you are drunk!!!