Going out on a date with a complete stranger.

[Chino]

Hello DTF. I come to you today looking for similar stories and perhaps a little insight.

Let's begin.


So there is this app on mobile devices called Tinder (I'm sure at least one person on here has used it). It's basically a match making app that finds members of the opposite sex in your area based on your GPS position. Users have an incredibly brief profile, their age, five pictures, and how many miles they are from you. The app doesn't find matches for you, it just shows you everyone. How it works is, you are not able to chat with anyone initially. The profiles come up at random and you basically select interested or not interested. If I happen to click interested on someone, and they do the same for me, the app will then automatically open up our chat privileges to each other.

Well I got on this app with no serious intentions of it at all. I mainly just wanted to see what kind of cute girls (maybe any that I knew) were on it. I ended up getting about a dozen matches in the first three days, and had some brief conversations with a few of them... except for one girl. Her and I have been texting (we exchanged numbers, no longer communicating through the app) non-stop for the last week now. I got her to start watching Breaking Bad and we've been watching the episodes at the same time while talking back and forth about them.

We have arranged to meet up tonight at a bar that's at a nice midpoint between our towns. I know 100% that it's not a catfish, and she seems awesome as hell.. but I've never been on a date with someone I've met like this. I guess I could describe my feelings as a little nervous, excited, and apprehensive at the same time.

Has anyone had experience with something like this in a similar situation? Please discuss.

[gmillerdrake]

Not personally...but, my brother and his now wife met through an online service and have been married for four years and have two kids. And, my sister in law (who has endured a horrible divorce because her x is a huge douche nozzle who's lucky I don't have the distemper I had ten years ago...sorry) used an online service and has met a very nice guy who she really likes.

 Sounds neat actually. Having that groundwork of the texting back and forth should make it a bit more relaxed. Good luck!

[Podaar]

Mrs. P and I met on a blind-date. I'd never even seen her or spoken with her before...although a good friend, who I trusted completely, had screened her for me.

Good luck! It does sound like fun.

[Phoenix87x]

Now I know that OK cupid is fairly different than Tinder, but I have gone out with quite a few people from that site and even though there's more information to go on with Ok Cupid, I was still technically meeting complete strangers. Anyone can fake a profile, but its worked out really well. And also, none of them really looked like their profile pics, so it might as well have been a blind date anyway.

My only thing was that I was extremely selective and would make sure to message with someone for probably 2-3 weeks and then do something really simple like coffee. Its a crowded public place and provided a stepping stone to something more and at the same time was something easy to walk away from if things didn't jive.

and for the record, I had more dating success with OK Cupid than I ever have in real life.

[jingle.boy]

Flagged.

Bosk, AndyDT has hacked into Chino's account.   

Like Podaar, Mrs.jingle and I met on a blind date, with a group of mutual friends/co-workers.  This was long before smartphones and apps like this.  I read an article about an app like this a few months ago.  Seemed like a cool idea.  Bottom line, if you 'connect' with someone, it doesn't really matter HOW that connection was made.  Enjoy it dude.

[Chino]

Now I know that OK cupid is fairly different than Tinder, but I have gone out with quite a few people from that site and even though there's more information to go on with Ok Cupid, I was still technically meeting complete strangers. Anyone can fake a profile, but its worked out really well. And also, none of them really looked like their profile pics, so it might as well have been a blind date anyway.

My only thing was that I was extremely selective and would make sure to message with someone for probably 2-3 weeks and then do something really simple like coffee. Its a crowded public place and provided a stepping stone to something more and at the same time was something easy to walk away from if things didn't jive.

and for the record, I had more dating success with OK Cupid than I ever have in real life.

We text pics back and forth all the time. She's cute as a button. I figured a week of texting was enough to actually meet. We've sent almost 3000 messages back and forth (wow, that just sank in). 

Flagged.

Bosk, AndyDT has hacked into Chino's account.   

 

[bosk1]

Flagged.

Bosk, AndyDT has hacked into Chino's account.   

Chino, my recommendation for getting more hits is to type in the "location" field:  "Right behind you.  Don't cry out.  Don't turn around.  Everything will be just fine."

[KevShmev]

i've never met anybody that way, but I don't think it's weird at all.  It's no different than going out with someone you met online or at a bar or something.  I mean, how much can you really know about someone until you spend time with them?

[Chino]

Flagged.

Bosk, AndyDT has hacked into Chino's account.   

Chino, my recommendation for getting more hits is to type in the "location" field:  "Right behind you.  Don't cry out.  Don't turn around.  Everything will be just fine."

If it wasn't based on GPS, that'd be perfect 

[Nick]

Sounds like you have something good going, just enjoy it and try not to worry yourself too much.

[kirksnosehair]

I stalked rode the same commuter train with my wife for about 6 months before I finally worked up the nerve to strike up a conversation with her.  I asked her out on a date the first time I spoke to her.  Hard to believe that was 27 years ago 

[jsem]

I stalked rode the same commuter train with my wife for about 6 months before I finally worked up the nerve to strike up a conversation with her.  I asked her out on a date the first time I spoke to her.  Hard to believe that was 27 years ago 

Also, that app seems amazing. 3000 texts btw? Incredible feat.

[Chino]

How do you guys think I should handle payment? I didn't necessarily ask her out other than saying "want to meet up?". It was her idea we do the bar. Should I still pay for everything?

[Dark Castle]

How do you guys think I should handle payment? I didn't necessarily ask her out other than saying "want to meet up?". It was her idea we do the bar. Should I still pay for everything?

Make the offer to, but if she insists on paying, then just let her.

[Podaar]

How do you guys think I should handle payment? I didn't necessarily ask her out other than saying "want to meet up?". It was her idea we do the bar. Should I still pay for everything?

Make the offer to, but if she insists on paying, then just let her.

This is what I would do but you may need to adjust on the fly. Use your feeling Luke!

[a51502112]

How do you guys think I should handle payment? I didn't necessarily ask her out other than saying "want to meet up?". It was her idea we do the bar. Should I still pay for everything?

Just hope she doesn't ask for payment upfront. 

[Phoenix87x]

How do you guys think I should handle payment? I didn't necessarily ask her out other than saying "want to meet up?". It was her idea we do the bar. Should I still pay for everything?

Always pay for everything on the first date.

[jingle.boy]

How do you guys think I should handle payment? I didn't necessarily ask her out other than saying "want to meet up?". It was her idea we do the bar. Should I still pay for everything?

Absolutely not! 

1st base should be free
2nd base, $2
3rd base, $14
then steal home.

Above all else, nothing more than $20 for a hummer.

[Nick]

I have always been VERY rigid in that a relationship should be a commitment from both sides, including financially. That said I think it's just good form for to pay on the first date. Smooths things along and lays a good groundwork.

[lordxizor]

Definitely make the move to pay the bill on a first date. If she offers to pay half, let her.

I met my wife online. We talked on the phone for a couple months before we were finally able to meet. My sister met her husband by being set up by a friend. They emailed for a few weeks before finally meeting.

[senecadawg2]

How do you guys think I should handle payment? I didn't necessarily ask her out other than saying "want to meet up?". It was her idea we do the bar. Should I still pay for everything?

Always pay for everything on the first date.

no. definitely not.

[bosk1]

That reminds me, I owe jingleboy 20 bucks.

[pogoowner]

I've always paid on the first date. But that's just me.

[jonnybaxy]

That reminds me, I owe jingleboy 20 bucks.

 

[King Postwhore]

That reminds me, I owe jingleboy 20 bucks.

He is an easy lay.


Chino, you'll never have a change to let anything grow, (This is truly a dual meaning) unless you go out.  You'll never have a chance unless you go for it.

[hefdaddy42]

That reminds me, I owe jingleboy 20 bucks.

I "met" my wife by talking on the phone while my college roommate was interacting with her best friend on a chat room.  We talked for about a week before deciding to meet, then started dating, and now here we are, in debt up to our eyeballs.

It can happen to you too, Chino!

I would avoid talking about films at all costs.

[jingle.boy]

That reminds me, I owe jingleboy 20 bucks.

Told you...  it was pro bono.

[bosk1]

I would make you nominate that as a POTY candidate.  But then I'd owe you another $20.

[jingle.boy]

How 'bout I just sig it instead?

[Chino]

status report from bathroom. Everything is going awesome. Go me!

[jingle.boy]

status report from bathroom. Everything is going awesome. Go me!

Motherfucker!!!  It IS AndyDT

j/k Chino.  Go you!!

[gmillerdrake]

status report from bathroom. Everything is going awesome. Go me!

I just pictured the last scene from 'Boogie Nights' where Mark Wahlberg was looking into the mirror psyching himself up

[bosk1]

status report from bathroom. Everything is going awesome. Go me!

Eh.  One man's "awesome" is another man's "OMG, I better go to the bathroom and post on DTF."

[Mister Gold]

status report from bathroom. Everything is going awesome. Go me!

Eh.  One man's "awesome" is another man's "OMG, I better go to the bathroom and post on DTF."

 

[Chino]

Well that night couldn't have gone any better. Three straight hours of talking with lots of laughter and great eye contact. No phones out the entire time (except when I was at the urinal). Introductions were a little weird, we shook hands and introduced ourselves by name even though we were already aware of each other, but whatever. I even picked up the tab, all seventeen dollars of it lol. She had one drink and all I had was a beer and a whiskey on the rocks. I was actually happy it was a sober hangout kind of evening. However, there is a pretty serious/concerning kicker....






























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