Dating in London - some thoughts and theory's

Being a single girl in London for 3 years I learned a few things, ended up in some interesting situations, and met lots of people. My observations on dating are from a London perspective. I believe in London things are a bit different that the rest of England due to the anonomity of a big city, but for the most part I think things are similar across the UK.

I have been open to trying most anything.... and it has been interesting to say the least!

Here is what I learned in my years as a single girl:

They don't get dating in England. They tend to get drunk, sleep together, then ask the girl out for dinner.... or not. Things are a bit backwards.

For guys last call at the pub means last chance to talk to a girl before you get chucked out and have to go home alone.

Unless it is last call (and/or 8 pints later) British guys are not likely to approach you.

However they will surround a group of girls on the dance floor and before you know it some guy you don't know, hasn't even said hi, is rubbing up against you. Awful!

Speed dating is exhausting, but an interesting experience and good for a laugh. Group support recommended (bring friends).  I met a presenter at an event, he was mortified to meet someone from work, and that I might tell people I saw him there.

On-line dating, is not for me, you can't tell if their is chemistry via email (or a 5 year old profile photo), and I'm not looking for a pen pal.

Singles parties, are as awful as they sound.

Work - tread with caution, and if they work in TV or sport don't bother. I suspect banking and finance is the same.

Approching randoms in bars, this can work, just think of it as a way of meeting new people and making a night more interesting, no pressure.

After seeing someone for 2.5 months if they stop calling, texting and emailing you, as a way let you know they don't want to see you any more don't be surprised. (For the record this one of the most cowardly ways to behave I can think of).

My tips for the single girl:

If he likes you enough he will talk about future plans, in fact he will want to know before you leave when he will see you next.

Also if he really likes you he will not make you wonder what is going on, he will make sure you know where you stand, mostly this can be seen in how he behaves. Talk is cheap.  He won't want to risk some other guy nabbing you.

If he really likes you he won't text you at inappropriate times saying inappropriate things, this boy is looking for a booty call, stop hoping more will come of it.

If he has just broken up with someone in the past 30 days wait, you don't want to be the rebound girl.

Some of you may find this offensive as modern independent girls, but I think it is true. If he likes you he will want to spoil you and look after you. This means he will go out of his way to meet you (not the other way around), and he will pick up the bill when he asks you out for dinner. He won't be keeping track of how much things cost, he will be concerned with making sure you are enjoying yourself. However this doesn't apply to drinks at a bar, if he keeps those flowing like water from a tap he is most likely trying to get you drunk and in bed.

Go on dates even if you aren't sure, you may get to know them better and like what you learn about them, or if they don't work out as boyfriend material they could become a new friend.

Keep first dates causal, and short, meeting for a coffee is so popular in North America because we know how to date.  If it is going really well there is no reason not to continue on to get something to eat or go for a walk etc. If it's not then off you go after your coffee is done.  Also it is easier to judge someone after some drinks in a well lit Costa Coffee than a few Martinis in a dark bar.

Make sure to have a friend or 2 who are also single for support. It is amazing how fast those who are coupled up forget the reality of being single.  It is fun and exciting but it can be lonely and frustrating too.

Enjoy yourself, and be safe!

Canada - Wedding

I never planned to go home to Canada every year, but when an invitation arrived from an old friend for her wedding I knew that I couldn't miss it, I would be home again in 2009.  As a bonus I would be home for Canada Day and it would be summer so I could look forward to a day or two at the beach.

The happy couple.

Catching up with an old friend who moved out West years ago.

The tan is from Turkey, the weather in NS did not cooperate one bit, no beach for me.

Nicole's dress was amazing, and she looked radiant, she really did. 

The gang, just like the old days (am I sounding old?).

The day after the wedding lunch on the waterfront.

Summertime

Summer seems a long way off now, but here are some summery London photos. When summer does arrive, and for however long it is, a day or a week, London comes alive, parks are full, people are smiling, and as long as you don't have to take the underground, where it is 1000 degrees, life is good.

In our back garden.

mmmm Pims

Movies under the stars at Somerset House.

Day trip to Windsor.

Day trip to the beach, Broadstairs in Kent

Skyfest, summer doesn't always go as planned.

Another road trip. Alton Towers, scariest roller-coaster ever!

A trip down the Thames.

Regent's park, early spring picnic (in London you make the most of summer when it shows). 

An afternoon at the Rugby.

Sky ladies lunching in Chiswick (Colin Firth walked by and I missed it!)

Dartmoor in Devon.

Dartmouth in Devon

A light meal by the sea side in Devon.

Trafalgar square usually has something going on during the summer. This is a shot from Canada Day, more to follow on that.

Turkey - Dalyan

Since the trip to Slovenia went so well I decided to book a second and longer trip with Adventurea, this time looking for some sun. Turkey fit the bill for when I could travel and it is somewhere warm. There was enough time-out in the itinerary for relaxing and recovering from another exhausting football season at Sky Sports. So I put down my deposit and booked my fights.

Once I arrived a the gate at Gatwick airport, I checked out the crowd trying to figure out who might be part of the group. As it turned out I didn't have to wait long to find out, the seating had been arranged for us and I was sitting amongst the group so I got to know 2 of the group I was sitting with before landing in Turkey.

The group was a varied one and everyone brought something different to the group.  It made for a great week getting to know the others, exploring Dalyan, trying some new activities and relaxing.  My favouites were the Turkish bath and hot springs and mud baths. Canyoning pushed me to the edges of my comfort zone with ledges and cold water, as did Karaoke! There was lots of time spent on various boats and a couple hours on a beach with surf that was big enough to be fun but not scary.  The water was the perfect temperature and nice and clear.

Beautiful scenery.

Roman Ruins, those Romans, where have they not been?

The sheep have made themselves at home.

Kayaking

Mud baths and thermal hot springs my favourite.

It was deemed too hot for mountain biking so we went canyoning instead. Yes, it is as high as it looks, and that water is pounding down as you try to grab the rope. Testing the limits.

There was lots of karaoke. 

One of our many boat excisions.

I would definitely recommend Turkey, great weather, fantastic food, friendly locals who mostly understand English.  I look forward to returning and seeing more of the country.

Working in Television

My job as Studio Travel Coordinator at Sky Sports brought it's challenges.  I knew nothing about football other than the general rules of the game, and my UK geography on a local level was lacking.  So it was a stressful start with lots to learn.

This meant working about 10 to13 hours of overtimes a week. After football season ended and I had a break in the summer with lots of time off. I get 27 days off a year in England and not being used to having so much time off I didn't take many days off when it was busy so had about 4 weeks still left at the end of the year (end of June here) to use up. When in the office I used the quiet time during the summer to get myself organized for another crazy season.  It was about 3/4 months into the football season I knew it was not me or my lack of football/geography knowledge that was the problem, the workload was just to much for one person.

The job as Studio Travel Co-ordinator entails calling guests finding out what they need to get to the studio for the shows I worked on (mostly football) as well as travel arrangements for shoots and travel for Sports News reporters. It required a lot of prioritizing due to the work load, and careful timing to make sure they were here on time and there were no empty chairs on air.  It also requires keeping finance and producers happy about what I spend and keeping the guests and others happy with their travel I've arranged.

Over the next year my boss listened to my concerns about my workload, acknowledged them and over time I got help and my work reduced. At the moment things are at a good balance and I can go home most days on time.  A nice result, and much appreciated.

I would like to send a huge thank you out to google maps, saved me hours of work figuring out where things are and how far apart the are! Also thank you to my co-workers who despite stupid questions like "what is netball?", and "Does the name Ross Kemp mean anything to anyone?", still put up with me and helped me out loads.