NO. We're all monsters, I assure you. I believe Bridget Jones put it best when she said under our clothes we're all covered in scales. Or something to that effect.

What drove me to online dating?

Well, my social circle isn't a circle at at all. I only really deal with my immediate family (who tend to know people I don't like) and a couple of friends I don't see very often, and colleagues I have no interest in. So... I'm really 'here' to expand that group. To meet interesting people I want in my life and, who knows what may happen from there.

It's no fun having few people who you can argue over what film to watch...

The pressure's now on me! :O

This is so true! Gold always seems to look tacky. No idea how it developed such worth.

@teebee: that's what got me, teebee. He didn't seem very shy in the minute I spoke to him. He was fairly outspoken. As mentioned earlier (by Fear I think) it may just have been he noticed we were busy and didn't want to get me into trouble or something. But it's not like he'd be missing an opportunity since he knows where I work now.

@paintecards: haha. I remember those slips! No boys ever sent them to me though. I remember in primary school someone sent me an anon valentine's card and I spent the whole day trying to work out who'd sent me the card because I wanted to punch him. haha. Maybe this is why I'm single... xD

Well, truth be told, I'm not a fan of gold. Many people seem to think it's superior though. How odd is that?

Are you sure you didn't just accidentally drink from the wrong pool? You could have been gold, y'know? (And thanks for the cheque - much needed!)

Too true, Dodo. Too true.

Then you have no reason to fear it, little grasshopper. If you know it brings good feelings, even if you feel shy, you know there's nothing to fear.

You should feel happy that there are people who care about you and love you enough to take the time to do those things for you. If it worries you about accepting things from them, think to yourself "there's always their birthday/Christmas/time they need something" so you feel less concerned about accepting it. In time you'll get better at it, I'm sure.

I presume your sister already knows what you're like. Apologise to her but I'm sure you can come to some sort of arrangement where you can still celebrate or spend time together without it embarrassing you.

Except this kind of "need" (it's a song I think most people should listen to - **graffic language warning!**:
http://youtu.be/UJHGxtmKO84

Would I? :O

I'm actually picturing Alan Rickman as Metatron in Dogma... do you have genitals? Granted I'm aware how personal a question it is, and I certainly don't mean to make a mockery of you, but I'm curious! XD

It was you all along, wasn't it? You killed him! Darn your silver tongue!

I believe the song "I predict a riot" may be quite appropriate here... haha.

I think it's important for any relationship to feel wanted. If they're offering to help, it's another way of showing they love you and care about you. Refusing them is like keeping them at arm's length. You may as well just reject them outright.

I get that you don't want to seem to be taking too much, but there's no harm in accepting help when you need it. It's a way of showing you value them and their presence. Yes, independence is great and very much appreciated but that doesn't mean you have to shoulder burdens alone.

You smooth talker, you ;)

Thanks, kartagane. I don't think that would work so well though since most the lads that I work with are about 10 years younger. I'd get myself a right name! haha. The doorman I was thinking of is only a 3 years younger but we look about the same age. Or I could say the older doorman is my protective dad, as I reckon he'd agree to that. :D

I have no idea, Tyler. It is an interesting question. I think it would have depended on if I'd had more time to talk to him. What's probably got my back up is he's made a judgement based on what I look like. From asking about football and where he can view the screens to watch the match, he jumped to "what do you do other than work here?" which makes me feel like I'd have been uninteresting if I'd said I just work there. So I guess it really depends on where the conversation would have gone.

If he'd left it at that but given me his number, I'd have probably gone bright red, said thanks, tucked it in my apron and disappeared.

I've had guys ask me out before and I can be pretty blunt when startled though, so I really don't know if that's actually how I'd have reacted. Or if I'd just have said: "Not sure how comfortable I feel with that one, since I don't know you" before scuttling off...

Didn't work for Mary... XD She missed out the convent part though.

I've not known test results to be longer than a week, aside from AIDs/HIV, though I guess we're working on the assumption that diseases have had time to make themselves known. I don't tend to practice without a condom whatever the case though. As you say, it all does come down to trust though. Not something I'm so keen to do on a whim but I'm not going to knock anyone who does.

@red6mist: I actually find the truth far more refreshing. It may not get you the results you want all the time, but isn't it better the people who do want you know what you want rather than people getting all crazy because you've messed them about? The guy I was involved with wasn't a particularly good looking chap, but he was honest and respectful. Never seemed to have an issue getting laid. He was also a great conversationalist so you felt he was quite content in your company, even if it was short-lived. Didn't bother me.

I think I may have to have an imaginary boyfriend... some big, burly bloke that doesn't take kindly guys thinking about eating me. I wonder if the doorman would agree to pretend... :O

@Fear: Nothing stranger than blokes though... some can be pretty darn fickle. We shall see. It sounds like he's local anyway as he made reference to another pub not far from mine he'd been in.

@klc: Thanks for the suggestion. I expect he'll have something to say, if only to find out if I ever got the number... unless his male pride is wounded. I'm in no rush as such to start anything though, given I don't have much time available as it is. I'm not particularly appealing in the dating stakes, due to be super busy. *sigh*

If you have been involved in an intimate encounter would that mean you are part of this "intimate encounter folk" group? In my opinion, IE are still possible with mutual respect. I have tried it, not my thing for the most part, but I acknowledge there may be times when I do want to go for it.

I'm still inclined to believe that morality or self-esteem doesn't come into it. It's often just based on what a person feels they need or want at the time. It's just a matter of preference.

It may be the case on this site he's unsuccessful (and possibly for the reasons you describe, or maybe just simply as he's too public about it? Some people like discretion), but there are plenty of places out there where such encounters do take place with very little concern, it would seem.