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Why Good Men Are Giving Up on Dating : The Relationship Struggle No One Wants to Talk About

BadBoy89

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Article written by a Single Guy.

My thoughts:

When women are young, the relationship is about love, its a lot easier for a man.

When women are older, the relationship is transactional, it’s a lot harder for a man.

————————


Modern dating is a mess, and no one can deny it. The apps that were supposed to make dating easier have done the exact opposite. Instead of fostering real connections, they’ve created a never-ending game of strategy, where people hold their cards close to their chest, waiting to see if the other person is “worthy” before they decide to commit. Relationships feel more like transactions—where one person waits to see what they can get before they decide to invest—rather than two people coming together with open hearts and a willingness to build something real. And for men who genuinely want a meaningful relationship, this dynamic is exhausting.

There’s no denying that a lot of men in the past have hurt women. The stories are endless—gaslighting, cheating, emotional abuse, manipulation. Women have every right to be cautious. But at what point does caution turn into self-sabotage? What happens when the good men—the ones who are actually ready to love, support, and commit—get caught in the crossfire of past pain and hesitancy? Too often, they’re left feeling like they have to prove themselves just to earn a baseline level of trust. It’s no longer enough to be respectful, honest, and emotionally available. Men are now required to jump through hoops, pass endless tests, and demonstrate patience beyond reason just to be given the chance to date someone. And the harsh reality? Many of them are walking away from dating altogether because it’s no longer worth the effort.

Let’s talk about something that men hear all the time: “Where are all the good men?” The answer? They’re right in front of you. But too often, they’re met with skepticism instead of excitement. Women say they want kindness, consistency, and commitment, but when they finally meet a man who offers those things, suddenly it feels “too good to be true.” The same women who claim to want stability often hesitate when they find it. Meanwhile, the emotionally unavailable, unreliable, or outright toxic men still manage to dominate the dating scene. There’s an undeniable pattern—women staying hung up on a toxic ex or pining after a “bad boy” while overlooking the man who’s actually putting in the effort.

It’s even worse for men who are truly ready to settle down. They step up, they give everything a woman claims to want, and they still end up in situations where women are hesitant, guarded, or unwilling to trust them. They’re often met with walls built from past experiences, and instead of being seen for who they are, they’re judged based on what someone else did in a previous relationship. Imagine constantly having to prove that you’re not a cheater, not a liar, not emotionally unavailable—just to be considered a viable option for a relationship. It’s exhausting. And a lot of men are starting to wonder: is dating even worth it anymore?

Then there’s the absurdity of modern communication. Online dating has made things worse, not better. Texting for weeks on end without meeting in person? Ridiculous. This trend of endless texting, dodging phone calls, and refusing video chats is one of the biggest reasons men are checking out of dating. If a man is genuinely interested in getting to know you, why wouldn’t he want to hear your voice or see your face? In an era where catfishing is rampant, it’s perfectly reasonable for a man to want to verify that you are who you say you are. And yet, countless women will match with men, exchange a few messages, and then disappear into the abyss of unanswered texts. Others will engage in meaningless small talk for days but refuse to pick up the phone.
It’s outdated, it’s immature, and it’s a complete waste of time. If you’re truly looking for a relationship, act like it. A man asking to talk on the phone or jump on a video call isn’t being weird—he’s being efficient. He’s trying to gauge whether there’s an actual connection or if he’s just wasting his time on another match who isn’t serious. The reality is simple: men want to talk to you, they want to see you, they want to feel like they’re engaging with a real person, not just another profile on an app. And if you’re one of those women who claims she’s “too busy” to talk or meet up but has time to scroll through social media and swipe through hundreds of matches, then be honest with yourself—are you really looking for a relationship, or do you just like the attention?

And let’s talk about the absolute lack of dating etiquette that’s plaguing the modern dating world. If you start a conversation with someone, have the decency to continue it. If you’re no longer interested, say so. Don’t just ghost someone and expect them to read between the lines. If you’re engaging with someone in conversation, don’t just drop a text and disappear for days. It’s basic respect. You wouldn’t walk away in the middle of a conversation in real life, so why do it online?

And here’s another thing: don’t match with someone if you have no intention of responding. This is one of the most infuriating things about dating apps. Men put themselves out there, get a match, send a message—only to be met with complete silence. What is even the point? If you’re not interested, don’t swipe right. And if you are interested, act like it. This endless cycle of non-communication, flakiness, and mixed signals is why so many men are giving up on dating apps entirely. They’re tired of chasing women who don’t put in the same effort. They’re tired of playing guessing games. They’re tired of feeling like they have to prove their worth just to be treated with a basic level of respect.

And let’s be clear: this isn’t about men wanting women to lower their standards. It’s about women actually practicing what they preach. If you say you want a serious relationship, your actions should reflect that. If you claim you don’t have time for games, stop playing them. If you meet a good man—one who treats you with respect, communicates openly, and genuinely wants to get to know you—don’t sabotage it by overthinking, doubting, or testing him. Trusting someone new is scary, but relationships require risk. You can’t keep one foot out the door and expect to build something real.
At the end of the day, men are getting tired of the nonsense. They’re tired of feeling like dating is an uphill battle where they have to constantly prove themselves. They’re tired of dealing with people who say one thing but do another. They’re tired of investing in women who don’t invest back. The good men are still here. They still exist. But if this modern dating culture continues to push them away, don’t be surprised when they decide that settling down just isn’t worth it anymore.

So if you’re serious about finding love, act like it. If you meet a good man, recognize him for what he is and appreciate him. Because the way things are going, the good guys are starting to walk away—and when they do, don’t ask where they went.

-———————-

Your thoughts?
 

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BaronOfHair

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"Modern dating is a mess..."

Modern LIFE is, in many respects, a f-cking trainwreck. "Good men"(those who've never learned to be "bad")drive themselves into despair, by not finding ways to mine this grimness for a macabre guffaw
 

BillyPilgrim

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Article written by a Single Guy.

My thoughts:

When women are young, the relationship is about love, its a lot easier for a man.

When women are older, the relationship is transactional, it’s a lot harder for a man.

————————


Modern dating is a mess, and no one can deny it. The apps that were supposed to make dating easier have done the exact opposite. Instead of fostering real connections, they’ve created a never-ending game of strategy, where people hold their cards close to their chest, waiting to see if the other person is “worthy” before they decide to commit. Relationships feel more like transactions—where one person waits to see what they can get before they decide to invest—rather than two people coming together with open hearts and a willingness to build something real. And for men who genuinely want a meaningful relationship, this dynamic is exhausting.

There’s no denying that a lot of men in the past have hurt women. The stories are endless—gaslighting, cheating, emotional abuse, manipulation. Women have every right to be cautious. But at what point does caution turn into self-sabotage? What happens when the good men—the ones who are actually ready to love, support, and commit—get caught in the crossfire of past pain and hesitancy? Too often, they’re left feeling like they have to prove themselves just to earn a baseline level of trust. It’s no longer enough to be respectful, honest, and emotionally available. Men are now required to jump through hoops, pass endless tests, and demonstrate patience beyond reason just to be given the chance to date someone. And the harsh reality? Many of them are walking away from dating altogether because it’s no longer worth the effort.

Let’s talk about something that men hear all the time: “Where are all the good men?” The answer? They’re right in front of you. But too often, they’re met with skepticism instead of excitement. Women say they want kindness, consistency, and commitment, but when they finally meet a man who offers those things, suddenly it feels “too good to be true.” The same women who claim to want stability often hesitate when they find it. Meanwhile, the emotionally unavailable, unreliable, or outright toxic men still manage to dominate the dating scene. There’s an undeniable pattern—women staying hung up on a toxic ex or pining after a “bad boy” while overlooking the man who’s actually putting in the effort.

It’s even worse for men who are truly ready to settle down. They step up, they give everything a woman claims to want, and they still end up in situations where women are hesitant, guarded, or unwilling to trust them. They’re often met with walls built from past experiences, and instead of being seen for who they are, they’re judged based on what someone else did in a previous relationship. Imagine constantly having to prove that you’re not a cheater, not a liar, not emotionally unavailable—just to be considered a viable option for a relationship. It’s exhausting. And a lot of men are starting to wonder: is dating even worth it anymore?

Then there’s the absurdity of modern communication. Online dating has made things worse, not better. Texting for weeks on end without meeting in person? Ridiculous. This trend of endless texting, dodging phone calls, and refusing video chats is one of the biggest reasons men are checking out of dating. If a man is genuinely interested in getting to know you, why wouldn’t he want to hear your voice or see your face? In an era where catfishing is rampant, it’s perfectly reasonable for a man to want to verify that you are who you say you are. And yet, countless women will match with men, exchange a few messages, and then disappear into the abyss of unanswered texts. Others will engage in meaningless small talk for days but refuse to pick up the phone.
It’s outdated, it’s immature, and it’s a complete waste of time. If you’re truly looking for a relationship, act like it. A man asking to talk on the phone or jump on a video call isn’t being weird—he’s being efficient. He’s trying to gauge whether there’s an actual connection or if he’s just wasting his time on another match who isn’t serious. The reality is simple: men want to talk to you, they want to see you, they want to feel like they’re engaging with a real person, not just another profile on an app. And if you’re one of those women who claims she’s “too busy” to talk or meet up but has time to scroll through social media and swipe through hundreds of matches, then be honest with yourself—are you really looking for a relationship, or do you just like the attention?

And let’s talk about the absolute lack of dating etiquette that’s plaguing the modern dating world. If you start a conversation with someone, have the decency to continue it. If you’re no longer interested, say so. Don’t just ghost someone and expect them to read between the lines. If you’re engaging with someone in conversation, don’t just drop a text and disappear for days. It’s basic respect. You wouldn’t walk away in the middle of a conversation in real life, so why do it online?

And here’s another thing: don’t match with someone if you have no intention of responding. This is one of the most infuriating things about dating apps. Men put themselves out there, get a match, send a message—only to be met with complete silence. What is even the point? If you’re not interested, don’t swipe right. And if you are interested, act like it. This endless cycle of non-communication, flakiness, and mixed signals is why so many men are giving up on dating apps entirely. They’re tired of chasing women who don’t put in the same effort. They’re tired of playing guessing games. They’re tired of feeling like they have to prove their worth just to be treated with a basic level of respect.

And let’s be clear: this isn’t about men wanting women to lower their standards. It’s about women actually practicing what they preach. If you say you want a serious relationship, your actions should reflect that. If you claim you don’t have time for games, stop playing them. If you meet a good man—one who treats you with respect, communicates openly, and genuinely wants to get to know you—don’t sabotage it by overthinking, doubting, or testing him. Trusting someone new is scary, but relationships require risk. You can’t keep one foot out the door and expect to build something real.
At the end of the day, men are getting tired of the nonsense. They’re tired of feeling like dating is an uphill battle where they have to constantly prove themselves. They’re tired of dealing with people who say one thing but do another. They’re tired of investing in women who don’t invest back. The good men are still here. They still exist. But if this modern dating culture continues to push them away, don’t be surprised when they decide that settling down just isn’t worth it anymore.

So if you’re serious about finding love, act like it. If you meet a good man, recognize him for what he is and appreciate him. Because the way things are going, the good guys are starting to walk away—and when they do, don’t ask where they went.

-———————-

Your thoughts?
As I mentioned in the thread about older women, the attitude declines faster than the looks as they age. Making the new men who come along pay for things other men were perceived to have done.
 

pipeman84

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OP reeks of beta so I had to look up the author. Here he is:
The Single Guy
After 30 years of marriage, I'm exploring online dating. Offering fun, factual advice for women on dating apps from a single guy's perspective, based on real interactions and bios.


He must be at least 55yrs old. What the heck is he even doing on dating apps? What's he expecting to find, particularly at his age? :rolleyes:He's like a guy rummaging through garbage bins and complaining they're not full of $100 bills. Like, is this for real? He should take a good look in the mirror to see the real problem.
 

BaronOfHair

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OP reeks of beta so I had to look up the author. Here he is:
The Single Guy
After 30 years of marriage, I'm exploring online dating. Offering fun, factual advice for women on dating apps from a single guy's perspective, based on real interactions and bios.


He must be at least 55yrs old. What the heck is he even doing on dating apps? What's he expecting to find, particularly at his age? :rolleyes:He's like a guy rummaging through garbage bins and complaining they're not full of $100 bills. Like, is this for real? He should take a good look in the mirror to see the real problem.
And when he writes: "There’s no denying that a lot of men in the past have hurt women. The stories are endless—gaslighting, cheating, emotional abuse, manipulation. Women have every right to be cautious", there's also no denying that most men have, at some point, FELT hurt by sh-t women have said and done...

The sort of guys who think of themselves as "Nice/Good Men" (I.E. They've yet to recognize just how morally schizophrenic they are)are predisposed to self-talk like: "I was nice, she SHOULD NOT have done (insert behavior he disapproved of)". A thinking error David Burns and his fellow CBT practicioners refer to as Shoulding/Musturbation. Which prompts us to ask:

Given that we have zero control(and limited influence)over how women think and the way they behave, at one point do we stop centering our past heartbreaks, in favor of laying the groundwork for a richer future here in the present?
 
Last edited:

Fortune_favors_the_bold

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I see two major issues here.

1)Men dont get anything that matches in value the effort/work they put

2)Men what are all the time with no break under the microscope in a non stop testing expecting to perform

Is it really a surprise if they leave the table? who would apply for a job where your performance is constantly reviewd while your salary is crap.
 

The Duke

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When I first became active on dating apps 15yrs ago, I had the same complaints. Overtime I learned to work the system and cut out a lot of the schitt. I also made lots of improvements and became better at understanding women.

The author doesn't understand women, thats his first problem. He expects them to react/behave/communicate like men.

Yep women like attention, they aren't great at narrowing down a list of potential suitors, they have a hard time focusing when too many choices are presented, they don't practice what they preach very often, they are natural game players/actors. But you find one with high interest, and all that goes out the window.

Men need to get better at interpreting low interest. A guy can complain and quit or get better and have some success.
 

SW15

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When I first became active on dating apps 15yrs ago, I had the same complaints. Overtime I learned to work the system and cut out a lot of the schitt. I also made lots of improvements and became better at understanding women.
He was married for 30 years and likely in the same relationship for 32-35 years. He went from the late 1980s/early 1990s mating environment to the 2020s mating environment as a guy likely around age 55.

That's a brutal adjustment.

The author doesn't understand women, thats his first problem. He expects them to react/behave/communicate like men.
I wonder if he had that problem circa 1990 before his wife.

women like attention, they aren't great at narrowing down a list of potential suitors, they have a hard time focusing when too many choices are presented, they don't practice what they preach very often, they are natural game players/actors. But you find one with high interest, and all that goes out the window.

Men need to get better at interpreting low interest. A guy can complain and quit or get better and have some success.
He has failed to present himself as a man who can get high interest from some women.

He is likely a boring and neutral guy in person. That's bad as both a younger man and as an older man.
 

CheekyMonkey101

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When I first became active on dating apps 15yrs ago, I had the same complaints. Overtime I learned to work the system and cut out a lot of the schitt. I also made lots of improvements and became better at understanding women.

The author doesn't understand women, thats his first problem. He expects them to react/behave/communicate like men.

Yep women like attention, they aren't great at narrowing down a list of potential suitors, they have a hard time focusing when too many choices are presented, they don't practice what they preach very often, they are natural game players/actors. But you find one with high interest, and all that goes out the window.

Men need to get better at interpreting low interest. A guy can complain and quit or get better and have some success.
That's it. Dating nightmares largely become a thing of the past when you stick to high interest women. Easier said than done for most men, though.
 

BackInTheGame78

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Sounds like a guy that wants things to be easy and work the way he wants them to work rather than accepting that things work the way they do and he can either choose to become successful based on how things work or he can continue banging his head into the wall trying to become successful with the way he thinks they should work.
 

BaronOfHair

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1)Men dont get anything that matches in value the effort/work they put
Entirely too many of us continue to fall for the lie that if we simply put in effort, without ever asking ourselves questions "What's the likely ROI on this particular investment*?", we'll succeed. The adage "Work smarter, not harder" is more relevant now than perhaps at any time in history prior


*No, I'm not advocating that we "Vote with our feet"(I.E. Drop out of society completely, the dating market included)as preached, but not practiced by MGTOW's most prominent proponents. Just that we recognize that all women, business opportunities, etc etc ARE NOT equally worthwhile
 

BackInTheGame78

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I see two major issues here.

1)Men dont get anything that matches in value the effort/work they put

2)Men what are all the time with no break under the microscope in a non stop testing expecting to perform

Is it really a surprise if they leave the table? who would apply for a job where your performance is constantly reviewd while your salary is crap.
That's because men continue to pursue women who have blatantly displayed non-interest in them.

That's a basic requirement for even putting in effort.

Mistakenly, they believe if they put in more effort it will make them interested, but they have it all wrong.

You don't reward disinterested women with effort, you reward interest with effort.

That's on them, not on anything or anyone else for playing the game entirely wrong and having the wrong rule book.
 

BadBoy89

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The author doesn't understand women, thats his first problem. He expects them to react/behave/communicate like men.

Yep women like attention, they aren't great at narrowing down a list of potential suitors, they have a hard time focusing when too many choices are presented, they don't practice what they preach very often, they are natural game players/actors. But you find one with high interest, and all that goes out the window.
The issue for a lot of men is: “What is high interest”? They can’t recognize it. Or maybe they can and I can‘t.

When I young, an older female friend introduced me a Filipino Maxim cover model at a big event. I couldn't believe my luck and was so excited. At an event we exchanged phone numbers. I asked her out by text and she said yes, and then she would often text me late at night from University, saying “I just got off work, getting home in 20 min, how are you doing?”

You know what I was thinking? ”Ah, she’s probably with her 6’1 boyfriend going to sleep with him tonight, and just texting me to see how desperate I am for a girl.”

A while ago, I went with a hot woman a few times and really wanted to sleep with her. One Saturday night she texted me “Hi BB89, how are you doing?“. I was pumped, I was thinking “sweet, she’s going to come over and finally it’s going to happen”. I texted her back “Good, what are you doing?” Her <Silence> Again, I’m thinking “What, her boyfriend is sleeping with her at the time and he told her to text me that to see how desperate I am for a woman?”

So many more examples like that. So what is “high interest“ from a woman?
 

BaronOfHair

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The issue for a lot of men is: “What is high interest”?
You engage, she reciprocates. Rather running off in the opposite direction, shouting for someone to dial 911, or pulling a K Bar from her purse, then ramming it through your neck
 
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