|
Dating in Los Angeles isn't easy for older single men. Author and columnist Tom Blake provides dating information and advice for widowers, widows, divorced men, divorced women, middle-aged singles boomer singles and senior singles who are dating again and hope to meet a mate.
Dating in Los Angeles
© 2004 by Tom Blake
Dating in Los Angeles not for men
By TOM BLAKE
For The Register's South County Weekly Newspapers
April 8, 2004
Single men receive a lot of flak from women for the way men deal with middle-age dating. Some is deserved, but not all.
It's only fair, now and then, to let the normally reticent men sound off.
Former Huntington Beach resident Joe Follick, 52, e-mailed his thoughts on dating in Los Angeles: "I've been experiencing some of the most dysfunctional women of my dating 'career.' For example, I met Ingrid at a single's dance where we scheduled a date for a Saturday.
"We met at 1:30 in the afternoon in the Costco parking lot to drop her car off and went to Santa Monica. We walked the beach, she held my hand, and I took her to a nice place with art galleries. We browsed around for several hours and went for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory in Encino, holding hands like two teenagers all the time. So, everything is going great, actually more than great I'm thinking.
Joe says he spent $75 on Ingrid. They kissed in his car and later in her car, only to be interrupted again like teenagers by a security guard clearing the Costco parking lot at the 8:30 p.m. closing time. So far, the date sounds pretty good.
"I suggest she come back to my place. She looks at me like I'm crazy and declines. I say OK, too soon -- so let's get together next weekend. She gives me that 'call me,' which every guy knows means no. So, totally confused at the day's events, I go home.
"I call her the next Monday. She tells me she just heard that some guy she is interested in broke up with a girlfriend and she wants to be available for his call to go out.
"The ultimate irony of the conversation: She recommended I ask out the other woman I had met at that same dance who I had made a date with, but who never returned my call! Maybe I found a place where the women go to find men to 'torture' ... like a Man Haters Club?
In another situation, Joe met a woman through Yahoo Personals for coffee. They made a date for Saturday. When Joe called to confirm on Friday, he found out she had no plans that night so he asked if she'd like to have dinner.
"She gladly accepted. Then next minute she says she wasn't sure because she might have to baby-sit (seemed strange to me that she didn't know) but I said OK, call and let me know. She never returned my call so our Saturday date is history.
"When you hear from whiny women who tell you about the 'jerks' they meet, share these stories. I consider myself to be a great relationship partner, but that seems to have no value. It keeps coming back to the same million-dollar question, how to meet QUALITY people? Maybe you can find the answer for me in Spain.
Joe wrapped up his comments with: "I can see why some men look for wives overseas. Thailand anyone?
Any women care to comment?
Weekly comments
Spencer, University of California, Berkeley, professor: "Go to Spain. Living is hazardous, but who wants to stop. Your life is yours to use, no matter what others say.
Mimi, Tustin: "You and your column do so much for single people, and how fortunate you have found such a special partner in Greta. Response: And you Mimi, with your dances for older singles, also do much for older singles.
Note: To receive my free weekly newsletter, fill in the form below and then click on "Join Newsletter." It's sent out every Friday, rain or shine. You just might find yourself quoted (only if you want to be).
When you receive the opt-in request, be sure to respond, "yes," especially those of you who use aol. We won't send anything without your permission.
| 