• Wermhatswormhat@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    I feel this in my soul. Same way, notice a cute girl a work don’t want to be the creepy guy at the office, see a cute girl working at the movie theatre, no this is her job, she doesn’t need that at work. This is why I’m single 😅

      • effward@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        The annoying thing is that the annoying guys are more likely to get a date, while they just go about their day. Not because they are better, or because their methods are good, but purely because they approach more people.

        I hate making people feel uncomfortable (no matter their gender), so I always struggled finding “spontaneous” dates, or even dancing with strangers at a club/party.

        The only thing that really worked for me was using dating apps, where both parties have implicitly indicated that they are looking for dates in general (because they’re on the app) and explicitly indicated that they are interested in each other (by liking their profile, or whatever).

        Although I’ve heard the apps have all gotten worse lately, I wouldn’t really know, as I found someone on Tinder years ago, and now we’re happily married.

        • Gonzako@lemmy.world
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          11 months ago

          I’ll be honest, as long as you don’t make it weird you can approach a lot of people be they’re on the job or not. If they’re on the job just ask them about the journey so far. Like, they’re also human you can treat them as such.

          • richieadler@lemmy.myserv.one
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            11 months ago

            I’ll be honest, as long as you don’t make it weird you can approach a lot of people be they’re on the job or not

            Nah, people talk. If it’s known that you’ve approached many people, you’ll get an automatic rejection from the rest.

            • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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              11 months ago

              If it’s known that you’ve approached many people,

              Unless you live in Buttfuck Montana, how would that be known?

                • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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                  11 months ago

                  Yes, and if I have my headphones on at work, that means I’m focusing on something and you shouldn’t bother me unless it’s important. That’s what it means for most people. It certainly doesn’t mean “this is a good time to ask me out.”

    • hansl@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      Ask once, be clean about it, look like a dork for a few minutes, if she says no, let it go and never mention it again.

      The annoying creep is likely to do ask her out twice a week.

      Theres no way to ask without looking weird, but the follow up is what distinguishes regular guys from creeps.

      • andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works
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        11 months ago

        There’s no need to even ask them out right away. Just having a casual conversation and making them speak of their interests can warm them to you.

        Are they your coworker? Sigh at how needy clients are, tell how you want to have a break, ask what they want to do when they have them. Discuss details.

        A cinema worker is harder, but you can play a dummy and ask them if they see the movies screened there and can vouch for some of them or if they can suggest some snack from a bar, to break the ice.

        People like talking about themselves. All have hilarious stories to tell. One needs to make them open up and react in a supportive way. Looking up interviewers on youtube can get one a better idea of how it’s done than these greesy pick-up artists. Genuinely enjoying a conversation rather than being hungry for a pussy\dick and making it all about yourself is a great start.

        • Custoslibera@lemmy.world
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          11 months ago

          Great advice 10/10.

          If you go in trying to bed them you’re likely going to crash and burn.

          Just try to make them a friend it’s a win win win because if you hit it off then you get a friend, if the attraction is reciprocated you may get relationship, if they aren’t interested in you but see you as a good person they may try to set you up with a friend of theirs that is single.

          Can’t lose with this method.

          • WillFord27@lemmy.world
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            11 months ago

            I think they meant you learn more about their personality to know if you want to be with them in the first place. Why wouldn’t you want to learn more about someone you want to be with?

          • andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works
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            11 months ago

            I wonder how you’ve read my message to get this take. I’m reading that standing on my head and still can’t see how it’s about picking up. Picking down, maybe, yet it’s questionable. Asking another person of their life isn’t picking someone down, it’s just showing interest in them and letting them tell something about themselves. It’s a basic courtesy. And it probably started relationships of parents of many people in this thread, yours and mine included. It’s just a normal dating starter. While pickdown (pickup?) is a snake oil strategy that promises one to get a pussy while ignoring another person completely and it doesn’t really work that way unless you pay for a sexworker’s service. And I don’t think OP wants that at all. If they want a normal relationship, making a future partner talk about something they like is a good starting point - that’s what I was talking about.

          • fibojoly@sh.itjust.works
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            11 months ago

            No, you flex your social skills by trying to get to know the person you’re, at this point, only physically attracted to. These are all things a normal person who doesn’t need dating advice knows. But here we are, spelling it out for those I the back of the class.

      • Drusas@kbin.social
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        11 months ago

        What you describe is absolutely the way to do it without looking weird. Don’t be aggressive about it, accept a no or an awkward silence or similar as being a no, respond in a pleasant tone and not an aggressive one, and you should be pretty good to go without being seen as a creep, as long as you don’t repeat it later. Of course, don’t make a point of going around hitting on women in gyms or who are at work, but it can be done tactfully.

        • Chobbes@lemmy.world
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          11 months ago

          Eh. It can kind of cause a lot of problems in the workplace, and not just for the people dating… Especially if somebody is the type to get jealous if you have to work with their partner on something, which is sadly not uncommon. If you’re mature and can deal with it… fine. But, frankly, there’s plenty of fish in the sea and it’s probably better to date outside of work (or at least your team) for everybody.

          • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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            11 months ago

            People say stuff like that but the thing is, work is where you spend most of your time. It’s where you meet the most people, if you are going to find someone who you want to date it’s quite likely it will be the place you spend most of your time.

        • Custoslibera@lemmy.world
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          11 months ago

          People who have learnt from experience.

          There’s only so much YOLO you can handle before it’s just not worth it.

        • fibojoly@sh.itjust.works
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          11 months ago

          Many people, over many life times. If you can’t handle the mess of things not working out, you’re much better off not hunting where you work. But hey, maybe you can be one of the lucky few!

      • jubilationtcornpone@sh.itjust.works
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        11 months ago

        I’ve seen work relationships go very badly but I’ve also seen them go very well. I met my wife at work so it worked out great for me.

        Best advice I can give is, if you want to date people you work with, make sure you’re ok with quitting your job. If things go south it might come to that. Use good judgement. Don’t date your boss or one of your subbordinates. That’s a great way to get fired out of a canon.

        • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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          11 months ago

          My brother-in-law dated a co-worker for a few weeks a couple of years ago but he went over-the-top like with most things in his life, so things went south fast and now it’s been difficult between them at work ever since. He is definitely not okay with quitting his job, and apparently neither is she, so now they’re stuck with each other, so I would say it’s a very tricky needle to thread.

    • theneverfox@pawb.social
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      11 months ago

      Nope. Ask flat out, don’t be weird about it. You get one shot before there’s any potential harassment, take it… Then accept the result

      That’s all there is to it

        • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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          11 months ago

          I assume the population in those countries is going down then because I don’t understand how else you’re supposed to do it?

          You just hit them over the head with a rock

          • Herbal Gamer@sh.itjust.works
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            11 months ago

            I won’t pretend to be an expert on the matter since I’m very much alone, but in my experience it’s something that happens more organically, through common interests and such. It’s more of a process, less of a transaction.

          • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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            11 months ago

            Arranged marriages would be my guess, although I can’t think of a country where that’s the overwhelming norm.

        • richieadler@lemmy.myserv.one
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          11 months ago

          Okay so what if you’re from one of the many countries where asking people out on dates isn’t really a thing?

          I’m interested to know what countries would those be and how does people meet usually.

      • Wermhatswormhat@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        You’re not wrong. There’s nothing wrong with asking once. Take the answer for what it is, yes, great, no, then it’s no and you’re done. It’s all easier said than done though for me.

      • richieadler@lemmy.myserv.one
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        11 months ago

        Now put yourself in the girl’s place and multiply that interaction for all the guys that tried to pick her up. Does that change your tune?

        • theneverfox@pawb.social
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          11 months ago

          No, I’m often hit on by gay guys for some reason. When they take no for an answer (and they almost always have) it’s just flattering. Sometimes they’ll insist on buying me a drink anyways, and we’ll talk like two straight guys would, sometimes they even wingman for me.

          A few times it seemed like they thought they might be able to turn a no into a yes - that’s not comfortable, and that’s exactly what you should never do in that kind of situation

          But being asked out respectfully by people who genuinely accept the answer at face value? No, I don’t think that part gets old, everyone likes feeling desired.

          You do have to genuinely and immediately drop it though - the fear you won’t is probably concerning to women, but women generally want relationships too.

          Women dream of romcoms, not the over the top obsession part (that’d cross so many lines in reality) but the idea of a great partner dropping into their life… Most people don’t love cars

          Ideally, you’d pick up on the receptiveness before you ask and give them a way to say no without actually saying no (like if they say they’re busy and don’t give an alternative day, you just say too bad and pretend like it never happened), but that’s not something everyone understands or can be communicated clearly

        • Faresh@lemmy.ml
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          11 months ago

          I think it kind of depends on the kind of social interaction. I imagine there’s a difference between catcalling someone, and expressing genuine interest in getting to know one another. But I probably shouldn’t be one to talk about things social.

    • adONis@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      Seing some cute girl at the bar “nope, she’s probably here just to enjoy her drink”

      • ADTJ@feddit.uk
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        11 months ago

        See some cute girl waiting in your bed “nope, she probably just wants a nap”

    • teichflamme@lemm.ee
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      11 months ago

      While people on reddit or Lemmy might talk about hitting on someone at work as the worst thing ever this isn’t the case for a lot of people.

      Lemmy has a very distinct demographic that’s not really representative of the outside world.

        • teichflamme@lemm.ee
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          11 months ago

          Not talking about coworkers, but more about people you encounter while they are working.

          I’ve had a couple of pleasant experiences. Same for girls in the gym tbh.

          • richieadler@lemmy.myserv.one
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            11 months ago

            Nah, at their work they can’t reject you properly if they’re giving a service and their work is listening to you. That’s abusing your position as client.

              • richieadler@lemmy.myserv.one
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                11 months ago

                When you’re leaving she’s still working and you’re still using your former position.

                After she’s ended her shift it’s still debatable. For me it’s still creepy.

    • idefix@sh.itjust.works
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      11 months ago

      As much as I understand your opinion, I’m really struggling to understand how couples meet outside of apps now. I’ve been in a long-term monogamous relationship for more than 20 years, I’m completely out of the loop.

      • Got_Bent@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        I’ve been single for five years now.

        I got rid of social media and then COVID hit.

        I honestly don’t even know how to socialize anymore let alone date.

        Fortunately or unfortunately as the case may be, my relationship history has me so jaded, that I really don’t have any desire to date.

        If I did desire such a thing, I have no idea how I would go about it. There aren’t any more physical community places unless you wanna go get shitfaced in a bar, and I’m long since past those days.

      • AdolfSchmitler@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        Bars/Pubs. The booze helps lubricate those social wheels. Or friends of friends being introduced to each other.

        But honestly anywhere could be a place to meet someone if you’re not a creep about it and don’t try to force it.

        • Portosian@sh.itjust.works
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          11 months ago

          Kinda sucks when you don’t drink though. Best advice I’ve heard was to take up a social hobby, but I haven’t a clue what that would be either.

          Like you said, find an excuse to leave your house I guess.

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            11 months ago

            Best advice I’ve heard was to take up a social hobby, but I haven’t a clue what that would be either.

            The problem with that is that I have zero tolerance for stupidity and superstition, so I’d have a lousy time in most conversations or initial dates.

            “What sign are you?”

            “Check!”

            “What church do you go to?”

            “Check!”

          • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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            11 months ago

            I think there need to be social locations like bars for people who don’t drink (or don’t drink a lot) but do use cannabis. Weed “bars” where you can have a similar social situation with a different type of social lubricant that gets people talking.

            That still wouldn’t cover everyone, obviously, but it would add to the mix.

      • EnderMB@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        Oh man, I know that feeling all too well! MySpace was a thing when I was last dating, so it’s like an entire world has passed by. A while back, I was at a bar with a friend, and he let me swipe through Tinder on his account while he got a round in, and having that kind of easy access to dating when I was younger would’ve been absolutely petrifying.

        • richieadler@lemmy.myserv.one
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          11 months ago

          having that kind of easy access to dating when I was younger would’ve been absolutely petrifying

          To fair many don’t see that as “easy access to dating” but as a fast track to public humiliation. For me it would be like those apps don’t exist, I’d never use them.

      • harry_balzac@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        I’ve used MeetUp to find local events geared towards single folks. Some groups are really good…others not so much. It’s helped me get used to socializing and meeting new people again though.

      • nickwitha_k (he/him)@lemmy.sdf.org
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        11 months ago

        Have been in a monogamous relationship for a while as well. I think that the rreliance on apps is a false need, cultivated to make more money on said apps as their goal isn’t to lose customers by finding good matches but to keep extracting profits. There’s a significant conflict of interest that makes me think that they are little more than a scam that ocassionally helps people hook-up despite the companies’ best efforts.

        Glad that I don’t have to deal with dating and dread the idea that I may have to in the future because I hate it but my suggestions would be:

        If looking to cultivate something with long-term potential, put relationship goals on the backburner and participate in an interest that has a possible social component. If one is genuinely interested, they will find people who find them interesting.

        If looking to get laid, probably bars in the US (unfortunately, not usually a great place to meet people just looking to socialize, unlike Ireland or the UK).

        Alternatively, if one is into kinks or curious and able to be not creepy (can be extra challenging for single men), getting involved with a kink/fetish community that does non-play meet-ups might be a good option. As noted, it can be a bit of a challenge for single men to get accepted, but is not impossible. This is because such groups tend to be very zealous about protecting their community and single men have historically been higher-risk for abuse, assault, and not honoring kink contracts. (As a man, I don’t like the discrimination but do understand and agree with it as I’d rather some guy get hurt feelings than someone end up in the ICU or a dumpster).

      • thisisnotgoingwell@programming.dev
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        11 months ago

        Tell that to the women that go to my gym with their asses hanging out. I mean I’m honestly offended because I’m here to spend time with myself in self-reflection and conditioning but now it’s ruined because I’m asking myself all kinds of questions like “how much little validation does she get from life that she needs to do that? And she’s looking around, scanning for eyes. She knows wtf she’s doing. Women will complain about being sexualized as an object and then do shit like this! If she needs male attention that badly, why here, of all places? Does she not have parents? I’d hate to be this girls father. Then again, there probably isn’t a father in her life if she’s going out like this. I mean it’s not even an aesthetic body! If you have sculpted leg muscles, etc then fine. You’ve earned the right to show that off. But this chick doesn’t even have a noteworthy ass. The only thing noteworthy is that it’s outside of her shorts. Why the fuck would you do this to me? I’d still hit it though.”

          • Ummdustry@sh.itjust.works
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            11 months ago

            Yeah I refuse to believe that any synthetic fibre clinging that tightly to you can be comfortable. Heck i’ve spoken to a lot of women who would rather wear something more modest & comfortable but can’t find it because the stores don’t stock it.

    • Halosheep@lemm.ee
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      11 months ago

      On the contrary, I have two real life friend couples who met at the gym and are now married with children.

      If consenting adults are meeting one another in a public space, they should be free to approach each other.

      • Crozekiel@lemmy.zip
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        11 months ago

        I think the biggest problem is that people go straight to trying to flirt or hit on someone… We’ve spent too much time on Tinder where it is sending as many one-liner pick-up style openers that people start to think that is a normal way for an interaction out in the world to go. Generally, the majority has forgotten how to talk to people face to face in real life in a normal and appropriate manner.

        Also, if they are now married with children, I have to assume they met a few years ago and at least possibly, maybe even likely, it happened before the shit hit the fan like it has now. The dating world has been rapidly changing over the last few years.

      • richieadler@lemmy.myserv.one
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        11 months ago

        If consenting adults are meeting one another in a public space

        “Consent” is a problem when men try to hit on women using headphones, or when people don’t get the hint that you really don’t want to have a conversation with strangers.

        • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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          11 months ago

          But that’s more an issue of modern society’s overall problem with lack of courtesy, not a specific problem when it comes to trying to find a girlfriend of boyfriend.

        • lad@programming.dev
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          11 months ago

          Sounds like what you propose is some common sense for the ones trying to hit on someone who’s not interested. And I would say that would make sense everywhere, not only in the gym

          • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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            11 months ago

            Yeah, just don’t bother people wearing headphones period. If they wanted to be bothered, they wouldn’t be wearing headphones.

            • Arcka@midwest.social
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              11 months ago

              What if you want to listen to your own playlist or podcast, but also wouldn’t mind conversing should the opportunity arise?

              I don’t agree that headphones should automatically include antisocial implications.

        • Zink@programming.dev
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          11 months ago

          It sounds like the way those people act would be a big problem anywhere, and they probably wouldn’t abide by any new etiquette rules unless the gym was ready to lose money by throwing them out. And even in that case, they could just follow their target to the parking lot which would probably be even more uncomfortable and scary.

          People SHOULD be safe from harassment no matter where they are. But I think any place that brings people together is going to eventually create some relationships.

      • lad@programming.dev
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        11 months ago

        I think, the rule of not being bothered if you don’t want to communicate should be applied everywhere. Also, I find it healthier if people talk to each other at least a bit, but I mostly attended a gym with a stable population (and quite a long time ago, unfortunately) so that may have affected my opinion

      • psud@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        I have several choices on how to sort comments. He could have gone to the bottom for me (but not by stating the common opinion)

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    Any time I even for a second think about what it would be like to not be married, I remember that even finding a date, let alone dating, in 2024 sounds exhausting, so I remind myself to be thankful for what I have. I’m sorry for those of you who struggle finding a long-term partner.

    • Somethingcheezie@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      I’m in my fifties and divorced. I never liked approaching girls to ask for a number so the apps were a blessing. It took that whole insecure awkward walk out of the equation.

      Now being a disposable thing that people are constantly trying to get a better upgrade on, that I hate.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        I could see that, and I had that trouble myself when I was young and probably still would now, but the whole ‘swipe left’ ‘swipe right’ thing and having to go through a bunch of random online chats with random people until you find one willing to go get a beer with you and then hope that you contact them back after their unstated but required minimum number of days and that they will agree to get a beer with you again… it just sounds so exhausting. Even just making a profile which would have to be tailored to get people to want to date me sounds exhausting. And I barely even have any pictures of myself, let alone ones I think would work on a dating profile. I don’t have the energy anymore. I think I’d just end up being single for the rest of my life unless something happened by chance. I have a few terminally single friends my age. They appear to have stopped looking.

    • Lumelore (She/her)
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      11 months ago

      Yeah that’s me right now and it is rough. Now that my dating profile is a few months old literally the only likes I get now is a bot or two about once a week. I honestly think the best way is to join some type of club or group, socialize with people there, and maybe it eventually leads to a relationship.

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      11 months ago

      You gotta drop a weight heavy enough to land in hospital rather than attract disgusted looks from the loud sound it makes… The teary pained face while asking for favors can’t be that great a first impression.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        And then all the helpful weightlifting gym dudes help you out while the girl you like looks on and then goes back to her workout because they’ve got this.