So it’s been a year since me and my ex split up. It was a messy ending. She cheated because I was an addict and alcoholic. I lost my shit and ended up in jail because of it. I’m over a year sober now and all I want is my family back. We have a three year old togather and we coparent very well. However it is very difficult to get over her because I have to see her and talk to her everyday. I constantly try n prove myself to her. We even dated for a month after like 8 months of not talking. But I think she did that to get me to drop child support because I have or daughter 90% of the time. I did drop it n she broke it off again and was never actually invested in the relationship. Either way my mental health is getting worse with time. I thought time was supposed to heal. But it doesn’t. I’m respectful about how I go about pursuing her and she reciprocates it with her actions but if I bring it up in conversation she gets very mean again. It feels like a game honestly and I can’t keep getting hurt. My heart can’t take any more of it. I send her money all the time for gas or whatever because I’d do anything for her. Mostly because she is the mother of my daughter but partly because I tell myself it will help my chances with getting back to her. I also can’t stand to see her struggle. I feel like I’m being played constantly and I usually trust my gut but I don’t want to let go I don’t want to see her with someone else. I don’t want my daughter to be around random guys. Please give advice my heart can’t take anymore and I’m going crazy.

I’m 27 male and I want to find an Asian girlfriend but I don’t know how. I have tried every dating app and nothing works.

[30M] I just bought a house. For the first time in my life I’m out of my parent’s house and into my very own space. I spent most of my 20’s extremely intentional with working, saving, and investing. As well as building a nice physique in the gym and eating right.

Been about a year and a half since my last relationship (4yrs long). As a single man, I want to take some time to date around a bit. I’m not opposed to a LTR if the right woman comes into my life, but I’m not necessarily seeking it out.

I have no problems with attracting women, getting dates and occasional hookups but they always want something more and get upset when I’m honest about what I want right now.

Any tips or advice??

Okay so I’m 24F and there’s this guy I used to study with. We’re both Arab. We used to see each other quite often and eventually he asked for my number and we started talking.

I genuinely liked him. He was funny, confident, a bit possessive and had a lot of pride lol. He’d get jealous over little things even though we weren’t officially together. I think we both liked each other but things got complicated pretty quickly.

Basically he heard something about me from a mutual friend and thought I was talking to other guys. He got upset and started saying I wasn’t the type of girl he’d want to be with. I tried explaining myself but he was convinced he’d already made up his mind about me.
One thing he said that stuck with me was that I’d “killed his feelings” for me.

We stopped talking in April, but he eventually added me back on social media. Since then we’ve just been watching each other’s stories. He’s saved a few of my pictures too. He opens my snaps within seconds , replays , etc etc but never texted

In August I wished him happy birthday and he replied really nicely. We had a short conversation, nothing crazy, and that was it.

Now here’s my problem.
I still like him. I actually think about him quite often, which is so annoying because we never even had a proper relationship 😭

And idk if it’s my ego because he was the one who pulled away, or if I genuinely like him that much. Maybe it’s both?
Part of me feels like we still might have a chance. I don’t even know why I feel that way, but I do. I feel like things ended before we really got to know each other, and sometimes I wonder if he ever thinks about me too.

Neither of us has really tried to start a conversation since April, apart from me wishing him happy birthday.
Anyway, today I randomly decided to text him “Hey, how are you?”

Now I’m nervous lol.
I don’t want to force anything or chase someone, but I also don’t want to spend another six months wondering what would’ve happened if I’d just reached out.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Like you genuinely liked someone, things ended over a stupid argument, but months later you still felt there was something unfinished?
And especially for the guys, can your feelings

for a girl come back after months, even if you were the one who originally ended things?

Ps: Everyone I’ve spoken to about him has told me to just text him and see what happens. Some even said maybe he’s waiting for me to make the first move, but I never actually did because I was too scared of how he’d react.

could someone please give me some insight into whether or not this guy actually wants to get to know me or just wants sex? for context:

- we met VERY recently (like within the past few days/week), and have hung out one on one twice since meeting

- on said hangouts, he's held my hand, we haven't done anything super interesting or unique, and we have had really good and fluid conversations without awkward pauses

- we did kiss multiple times and made out for a while. i know he wants to have sex, but i told him no each time. wasn't mad or forceful etc at ALL but kind of wouldn't let it go? like kept making jokes about it and kind of just kept asking

- texts me throughout the day (he has an extremely busy schedule so not a ton) and always tries to make plans with me

- invited me to a social hangout with two other mutual friends

pleaseeee help me guys i don't want to get played or used and i just have a feeling it's not gonna end well😕

we were going to break up. he(dismissive avoidant) had shut down and was being extremely mean to me. because of my anxious attachment style, i was trying hard to please him. he suggested having sex even though we had no condoms. we had only slept together once before due to various reasons. after having unprotected sex, it hit us that i could actually get pregnant. he immediately started apologizing and felt bad that the entire burden falls on the woman. we looked up the side effects of the pill, which listed nausea, cramps, and other symptoms for a few days, and i was scared about it messing up my period cycle. when i asked if he would be there for me if an abortion was needed, he didn't push me to take the pill and said yes. anyway, i took the pill and he left. right after that, he blocked me everywhere without any notice. i feel completely broken that he couldn't even wait a few days to check on how i would feeling. this was the same guy who understood everything i went through with my abusive parent and supported me emotionally. he was my first bf. he is empathetic in a logical way, which makes things worse because now i feel like i'm the problem. i feel so worthless and awful and depressed. could someone help me process this ..i ran away from home coz my parents are very abusive. i struggle financially a lot. and i am preparing for entrance exams . i have no friends. i struggle a lot with mental health. he knows all this. i never knew he could do this. i really trusted that he was a good person with all my heart. i am so worried about the ipill symptoms. everyone is scaring me so much on reddit.

I recently went on a first date with a guy I met on a dating app. Before our date, he seemed very interested. He was really into making plans, kept the conversation going over text. So I definitely got the impression that he was pursuing me.
We went out Friday night, and I thought the date went really well. He planned a nice dinner, he spent quite a bit on the dinner.
We talked, laughed a lot, and I felt like we had good chemistry, there wasn’t really a good moment to kiss, but there was eye contact and arm around me.
I believe he mentioned wanting to see me again, although I know people sometimes say that just to be polite.
He texted me after the date and we also exchanged messages on Saturday. The conversation ended naturally, and neither of us asked a question that needed answering. However, it’s now Wednesday, and I haven’t heard from him since Saturday.
I’m a little thrown off because he seemed so interested before we met, and I genuinely thought we had a good time.
I haven’t reached out either because I figured that if he wanted to see me again, he would initiate, especially since he was pretty proactive before the date.
Wondering if I should just send a “how’s your week been text” etc.

Recently me and my ex started talking and she just cut it off because she needs “time to be alone” but I can’t help but think that she is hooking up with other guys. The last few texts I got from her was that she would come back AT LEAST at the beginning of next semester. I don’t know if she will hold true to that at all. She’s turning 21 soon as she is going to be going to the bars while I’m stuck not really doing anything besides going over to my friends places. I’m a sophomore and she’s a junior and we both go to the same college. Her freshman year she would hook up with guys without committing and I was her first ever official boyfriend. We dated for 8 months before she was tired of me talking to girls as I am in a frat and want the parties to be packed as much as possible. So I cut off every girl on my phone and about a month after I did that she broke up with me. I’ve started talking to girls but nothing feels the same anymore. I miss her and everything but I feel that if I find out that she’s out hooking up with other guys then I’m gonna blow up and things are gonna get out of proportion. I’m just so afraid of that being the reason she needs time. I can’t decide if I just take the hit and move on or if I wait for her to text me back when she’s ready. I’m wanting to wait but the thought of her hooking up with other guys and then coming back is something I literally can’t handle. I’ve been wanting to text her so much over the past few days. It’s to the point that I can’t sit down and study for my exams so I don’t know what to do.

Please help…

I was wondering if some stright men decide to have gay sex even if they don't like it at all, just because they wanted to see if they could bear unpleasant sex

It just feels so creepy in every circumstance and everything online seems to imply that women hate it and want to be left alone. I feel imposing enough when i have to talk to one like saying "excuse me" when i need to pass by them or interacting with women customers at my job. I cant imagine telling any of them they are attractive or asking them out and it going well. Am i overthinking this or am i correct that talking to women you dont know with romantic intent is walking on eggshells?

I’ve been seeing a guy for about six weeks, and I’m starting to really like him. The problem is that the more I like him, the more nervous and awkward I become around him.

For context, we met in September and have been on approximately 6 dates. He’s 33, in tech, somewhat quiet, and a little awkward himself. I’m 27 and work as a litigator.(That's important). We both want marriage and children eventually.

Some things he’s done:

• He regularly initiates thoughtful dates and has made an effort to see me. None of are hangouts are just sex, they're always a nice dinner, movies, etc.
• He’s told me he really likes me and is looking for a serious relationship.
• He’s mentioned me to his family.
• He keeps a toothbrush, face wash for me at his apartment.
• He’s extremely affectionate. We cuddle all night, hold hands, and constantly kiss each other’s faces, shoulders, and ears.
• He brought his dog to spend an afternoon with me. We spent four hours together cuddling, watching a movie, and walking around the neighborhood. He didn’t want to have sex that day, but was still incredibly affectionate.
• When I’ve disclosed difficult things about my childhood(because he asked a lot of qs), he’s held me and comforted me.
• He asks questions about my life, examines all the little things around my apartment, and seems genuinely curious about me.
• After our most recent sleepover, we took the train to work together and he kissed me goodbye.

Our sexual chemistry is also really strong.

Here’s the problem: I have a significant history of trauma, and dating can make me incredibly anxious to the point that I have relied on substances to get through it. I don't have a substance abuse issue generally. In the past, first dates have given me extreme panic attacks to the point where I couldn't talk and would throw up. With my exes I felt nauseous and like I couldn't speak properly for honestly a month.

I initially felt surprisingly comfortable with him, particularly during our last daytime date. I was affectionate, relaxed, and felt almost childishly comfortable cuddling with him.

But during our most recent overnight date, I became extremely self-conscious.

He asked about my sexual preferences, and I got so shy I could barely answer. Then I also panicked that if I expressed it he would think I'm gross. I have a lot of sexual shame lol.

We spent much of the night giggling, doing ridiculous accents, dancing, and joking around. I was worried I wasn’t being interesting enough or having enough substantive conversation. I got worried I forgot how to have sex.

At one point I admitted I was anxious, and he gave me a back massage.

I keep worrying that he thinks I’m weird, or that he’ll suddenly lose interest. The strange thing is that I’m generally very assertive professionally and don’t usually struggle to attract dates. But around this particular man, I turn into a giggling, shy mess to the point that he genuinely thinks I'm shy. Again, my job is essentially arguing with people constantly.

We haven’t discussed exclusivity yet. I know he was seeing another woman earlier in our dating period, which has contributed to my uncertainty. I am also seeing other people. I don’t expect exclusivity without a conversation, but I am starting to want a clearer idea of where this is going. He did ask earlier if I wanted to do more "serious" things with him, and I did say not yet.

I genuinely enjoy him as a person, not just physically. I like his quiet personality, his affection, his sense of humor, and how gentle he is with me. But I get extremely anxious around him and I don't know why. I get worried I'm not talking enough, or doing enough, idk.

My questions:

1. Does his behavior suggest genuine romantic interest and potential for a serious relationship, or am I reading too much into affection?
2. Is it normal to become more awkward and anxious as you develop stronger feelings?
3. At what point would you bring up exclusivity?
4. How do I stop worrying that every awkward moment is going to make him lose interest?
5. Why am I acting like this?

I really don’t want my anxiety to sabotage something that could actually be good.

I see a lot of posts asking what people are looking for and usually the responses are like honesty, loyalty, etc. But like, that's what everyone's looking for, not what YOU are looking for.

Additionally, when I say what I'm looking for, both online and in real life, I get tons of pushback. Like for example, I need my partner to love food and also be constantly learning... languages, instruments, art history idc, just engaging with something deeply as a way of life. I can't relate to someone who does not do this and trying makes me more lonely than solitude. But people get kind of mad and say I should be focusing on loyalty and stuff but its like, those things are just understood, no? I also am looking for someone who wears clothes in public and doesn't stand on tables in restaurants, do I need to say that too?

I get this especially from guys. I go out with a guy a few times and its just not interesting to me. Maybe he games or plays sports or runs a lot. That's fine but it doesn't fit into my life. What's the point of having a partner if you're always apart and one person is more thinking oriented and the other is more action oriented and so conversations just don't make sense?

And when I try to compromise I get into relationships where we just don't understand each other. Like if I date a guy who runs. I say, "I am worried about x issue" he says "don't overthink it. I just run when im worried, overthinking doesn't help" and like I fundamentally disagree. I don't think im overthinking, im just thinking. Possibly even philosophizing. Its who I am. And I'd day "don't just do something else when you're worried, ignoring it makes it worse" to him. And so every day we're just unable to solve problems together, we can't go to each other for advice, and its just unsustainable for me to constantly be told that my way of being is wrong even if they're trying to help.

But when I tell people like, "it didn't go anywhere because he uses physical activity to emotionally regulate and constantly told me to stop thinking whereas thinking is WHO I AM" people think I'm crazy and are like "but.... communication.... loyalty.... honesty." Those are necessary but not sufficient conditions for sharing a life with someone.

So like in general, are you considering whether you genuinely like someone and whether they genuinely like you or are you mostly considering who deserves a chance and who's available to you?

I’m a 31M, and I’ve been talking to a 23F for about a month. We text back and forth a lot and regularly have phone conversations that last an hour or more, sometimes multiple times a day.

We flirt quite a bit, compliment each other, and like each other’s photos and selfies. We’ve also agreed to pursue a courtship with the intention of getting to know each other more seriously.

The confusing part is that we still haven’t gone on an actual date. She seems hesitant to meet in person, even though she seems to enjoy the connection we’ve developed.

She’s also mentioned that she wishes I sent her more good morning texts, and she wants to FaceTime more often because she likes seeing my face.

I get the impression that she genuinely enjoys talking to me and wants more attention and affection, but I’m struggling to understand why she seems hesitant to take the next step and meet in person.

I understand that everyone moves at their own pace, and I don’t want to pressure her. At the same time, I feel like meeting in person is an important part of figuring out whether this connection could develop into something real.

For those who have experienced something similar, what do you make of this? Could she genuinely be nervous about meeting someone she’s developing feelings for, or could she enjoy the emotional connection without being ready to pursue a relationship?

I currently live in Los Angeles and just turned 31. I don’t wanna sit around and blame the city for me not having found my husband yet. To be fair, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say that the dating scene in their city is good lol. I feel like everybody always says that the dating scene wherever they live is terrible.

I’ve been more intentional about getting out into the world. Whether that means going out on the weekends to dinner with my friends. Even solo dates so I’m more approachable. I’ve even tried running my errands in different neighborhoods and cities in LA, hoping to switch things up and bump into someone that I wouldn’t normally meet.

I’m curious where most people have found their partners. I feel like men don’t really approach anymore. I get a ton of stares , and I often have been approach me, but not often enough to give me a ton of options lol. I don’t really go out to bars and I never go out to clubs. I’m wondering how else I can put myself out there to meet people without dating starting to feel like a chore. I’m on the apps currently, but I don’t feel like the men on the apps are really looking for anything serious.

Where did everyone else meet their partner? Was it on an app? Was it by chance? Did you meet through friends? Did you meet at work? Did you meet at the gym? I’m desperate for ideas at this point.

Idk this context is helpful, but I am conventionally attractive. I get stopped and told that I’m beautiful, or gorgeous very often when I go out (by men and women). I’m also 5 foot 10, so I often get asked if I’m a model or an actress.

I’m 27, FTX (nonbinary woman), single polyamorous, bisexual, and living in rural WI. I struggle with AuDHD, CPTSD, and I’m a recovering alcoholic. I’m in therapy and very nearly sober - down to a beer or cocktail a week! 🥳 I don’t want kids. One of my biggest dreams is to find my person/people and get married someday.

I’m very direct, ambitious, confident, a lifelong learner, hyper-empathetic, spiritual, and I have lots of unusual interests. I’m obsessed with the concept of death/dying, horror, witchcraft, and cults. I’ve been a writer and artist all my life - creative hobbies are my earliest special interests, and I’m wicked good at them. Actually, I’ve been spending the past couple of years working on making my art into a business. I love cats, trying new cuisines, comics, and video games.

I’ve been told over and over that I’m very attractive, but I’m not sure if they mean it or are just being nice. My autism makes it very hard to tell when people are genuine or not, so idk. I’m 5’5”, 191lbs, fairly chesty, and goth. I have no shortage of potential matches on dating apps, but it’s been virtually impossible to find someone I want. Even irl - no one seems to want to approach me, no matter what I change about myself. Online is a lot of creepy openers making assumptions about what I’m into sexually, dry texters, and me having to make all the effort.

I feel like giving up. I only get men looking to “tame” me into a tradwife, people looking at me and assuming I’m “just for fun”, goth or autism fetishizers, or people who clearly aren’t ready for a relationship. I’m tired of feeling like the bunny a family got for Easter then abandoned as soon as they realized it has needs. I’d love to move somewhere where I can find more people like me, but I’m too poor to. If anyone has ideas, I’d be very grateful.

hi all, so i met this guy (26m) on a dating, predominantly hook up app about a month ago, since then we've gone out for drinks twice, first date nothing physical happened but the chemistry was there, second date we kissed in a park, then our third time meeting up i went over to his place. we watched movies for about two hours or so then start getting physical. we didn't have sex because he didn't have protection but did other stuff, he was affectionate and we cuddled, and asked me to stay the night but i couldn't because of work the next morning. this was last week. then this week on monday i reached out and said i'd be down to hang out again and asked if thursday worked. he said he has a big assignment due friday but will let me know, otherwise would be free all weekend for sure. today morning (thursday) he texted saying he'll definitely be working on the assignment all night and is also quite sick, but will be free every evening next week.

am i overreacting or is he being flaky? we've discussed and neither are looking for anything serious/long term, so that's off the table, i'm just very attracted to him and would like to continue the physical relationship. just don't understand why he's being flaky (if he is) when this is literally just sex anyway? i can tell he's at least very attracted to me, unless i just suck in bed. would love opinions!

Had dinner with a guy Thursday and spent Friday wondering why he hadn't texted. Nothing dramatic, just checking my phone more than usual and telling myself I wasn't.

My friend asked if he was fun and I realized I'd mostly told her what he looked like and what he did for work. Dinner was okay. He talked a lot. I tried to tell him about a trip I took and somehow we ended up back at his job. I know quite a bit about his manager now. I'm 35 and thought I'd gotten better at noticing whether I actually enjoy someone's company. Usually I'm pretty happy going home to my own place. Books, skincare, a tracys dog in the drawer, the same three shows. There's plenty there I like. But apparently I can still have a mediocre dinner and spend the next day hoping I passed.

He texted this morning. Haven't answered yet because I genuinely don't know if I want to go again, which would've been useful information to have yesterday.

There is a 5 hour drive between our two cities; I am based in Ottawa and he is in Toronto. When I mentioned that I have never been to Toronto, he replied, 'Well, now you have a reason to come.' He expects me to travel there for our first meeting. Should I make the trip, or should he come to Ottawa first like a gentleman?

I met this girl through texting, and over time, I developed feelings for her and confessed them. She told me she isn't ready for a relationship because she went through heartbreak in the past. She made it clear that she doesn't want to give me false hope and even advised me not to get attached to her.

She's a medical student with a busy schedule, but she says she'll make time to talk to me every day through calls. She also told me that she doesn't text anyone as much as she texts me. She says she likes me as a person, feels comfortable talking to me, and wants to continue communicating with me.

I'm wondering how to approach this situation. Can I continue being friends with her and hope for the best, or should I take her words as a sign that I shouldn't expect anything more?

Do you prefer dating women who plays video games or women who don’t? Or does it not matter to you?

I've been seeing this woman a couple years younger than me for about two months now. The first few weeks were great. A lot of banter, fun conversation, plans on seeing each other more and planning months ahead. After around like 8 dates together, I told her I uninstalled the apps and really liked her and wanted to be exclusive. We talked about it and we were on the same page. Every date after that has left me questioning everything.

She would constantly ask whenever we were in bed after sex "Do you think we're moving too fast?". I would tell her no I don't think so, I'm just excited to get to know you and I really like you. She then gets sort of tense and tells me that she thinks I'll get tired of her and asks me if I ever called a girl crazy before. Came out of left field but I was said no to both. Every time after this, I'm anxious, confused, and I notice she's become colder towards me. I try to have real conversations with her about what's going on and where we stand but she doesn't really seem to want to have these talks and she gets super stern with me. Almost like I said something wrong or because she didn't want this talk. She then tells me we need to slow things down but still wants my affection.

I notice I'm becoming withdrawn from her. She never initiates dates, it's always me. She'll bail out of them or suggest we do something else. It feels like the floor is constantly shifting beneath me. She also tells me she wants to have fun and doesn't want to date someone seriously that she can't have fun with but after her changing it up on me, I feel like I can't have fun or be myself anymore. My emotions are attached to her but logically, I don't think I should be around her anymore. At least that's how it feels. We were seeing each other at least once a week and she told me she wants to see me more on the weekends and more often but continues to tell me she's busy or once again, bails on plans but tells me she misses me. I am beyond frustrated and confused at this point. She tells me that she doesn't think I'm aware of how I am coming off to her. Sure maybe I'm anxious and confused but I vocalize these things to her.

Last week, we went out and had a great time and right after sex, she told me she loved me which confused the hell out of me. I didn't say it back but I asked if she wanted to talk about it and she said no. She said she didn't mean it and said "Well you didn't say it back so....". I ask her a couple of days later what she was looking for. If this was casual or something more. She said she doesn't do casual and I told her I want us to be on the same page because I want something serious to which she agreed but in very few words. Tonight, I didn't text her much throughout the day but she hits me with "Pay attention to me" over text. We had small conversation and she asked what I was doing. I was out at happy hour after work and says "Oh ok nvm". I didn't realize until now she was trying to bait me into asking her to hangout? I guess? She's very indirect. I was joking around with her which I guess upset her but I tried to reassure her and now it's radio silent.

I can't win. No matter what I do or say or try to ask for clarity - I get nothing. It sucks and maybe I am doing something wrong or maybe I am being a dick in a way that I don't see? Maybe I should've cut this off sooner but I'm just bummed. I just want clarity and directness. More open conversations. I don't know where we stand.

Can a relationship be healthy if you rarely agree- or does that sometimes mean people avoid hard conversation..

I am 5'10 and about 210 pounds, which feels huge for being a girl in college around a sea of sorority girls. Whenever i go out, i see cute guys who seem interesting, but im too scared to approach because i know how guys talk about bigger girls behind their backs. I know people always say "confidence is key" and im sure that works, but i am just not at a place where i could realistically walk up to someone first.

I was recently with a guy who was my height and definitely skinnier than me. I really liked him, but i just feel too insecure to do anything about it because of the height and weight difference. The sex was good but i was just too scared to get on top. I hate that, and i wish i could have done more.

This is a long one, TL;DR at the end.

-----

I'm a guy, been out of college a few years now (late 20s), and... I fumble the flirting / hookup bag seemingly at every turn, but I want to get better.

---BACKSTORY---

For just a bit of backstory, in college I had a long-term relationship that lasted nearly 3 and a half years. That happened quite naturally, and she made... a lot of the bolder, more forward moves. So naturally, I never really flirted during a lot of early college parties that I went to.

That fizzled out, and I went relationship-less and sex-less for over a year. Had one hookup after that time with, again, a quite forward woman who was a waitress at a restaurant I used to frequent every day.

Then I entered a long-distance relationship after meeting up with an online friend in person, and I was a bit more forward after a friend of mine pushed me to say something a little more daring. Then in person I went in for a kiss after a long, pleasant conversation (still not much explicit flirting) which was reciprocated, and that kinda sealed the deal.

---CURRENT DAY---

Fast forward to today, I've been out of that relationship for nearly 2 years, and since the end of it... I haven't had much success (a few online situationships with some explicit exchanges, which are far easier for me it seems), and I find it comes down to... a set of skills I haven't learned.

In talking to some of my friends who are girls, I hear some crazy ass stories. Or at least crazy in my eyes, but I think that is part of the problem. Hookups at student conferences, hookups at weddings, at places where you meet that same day, and I'm just like... where has this experience been in my life?

--THE PROBLEM---

I have a hard time in general flirting and expressing interest. Specifically I think introducing myself for one, and then if I get past that, moving from polite conversation to flirting / moving toward a physical relationship.

And I think this problem becomes magnified in situations like the stories I mentioned because you have far less time to get to know each other. I have a hard time judging which situations are appropriate to flirt in, or try to hookup in, or even how to go about doing either of those. I feel like I would like the ability to flirt well, or have a short-term relationship, or a hookup like that

---THE IMPORTANT QUESTION---

How do people do this? How do people go from meeting someone at a wedding, conference, or bar to hooking up with them? Like, is there any advice other than trial-and-error for navigating this kind of road map:

Strangers → conversation

Conversation → flirtation

Flirtation → romantic interest

Attraction → physical intimacy

Intimacy (touching, kissing) → possible hookup

---OTHER QUESTIONS, PICK ONE YOU LIKE---

How do you approach? How do you eventually make it flirtatious and how long do you / what do you wait for? When do you express interest? When do you make physical moves / which ones are acceptable? How do you naturally transition from a group conversation to spending time one-on-one with someone you're interested in? How do you approach groups / individuals differently? How do you bring up the idea of kissing? How do you bring up the idea of hooking up? How do you make it clear you want to hook up without wanting a relationship? How do you actually move toward said hookup?

---THE FUTURE---

I'm moving to a new city soon, so I'm planning on using it as a testing ground for any advice. The total amount of women I've approached in my life can be counted on one hand, but I want to change that.

------

TL;DR How do you respectfully rizz as a guy if you are looking to hook up?

The other subs I frequent are geared towards traditional and deeply religious folks.

I'm low-moderately practicing overall, and my level of adherence and faith fluctuates a lot, between low practice to moderate practice on a good day.

Advice like 'get involved with the Mosque', or 'family' is unhelpful. Apps (Muzz and Hinge) are awkward and full of ghosting.

College is long gone, and my social circle is almost entirely non-Muslims dudes and their girlfriends/wives.

Generic internet advice like 'go to the bar' and 'join a book club' won't introduce you to religiously compatible Muslims of the opposite gender...

I feel at this stage its more practical to just join Tinder or Salsa classes and just hope to get lucky

Anyone have experience with their Muslim friend's dating woes and care to share lol?