When I think back to my early days in trying naughty things the fear of meeting someone and not wanting to do anything made me a timewaster a few times. The thought of saying no made me chicken out but I'd leave it till it was to late to tell them because I desperately wanted and hoped to get over it in time. I would feel terrible for days after and not attempt another try for months sometimes.
SO I've come to accept that this happens and understand that some need more time and patience.
Nowadays if someone doesn't show I get in touch and tell them it's ok and when they are ready, to get back in touch. I also tell them I did the same at first but got over it.
I would have had less heatache if some one had said this to me.
I wonder how many of us chickened out once or twice at first???
That's a good point Hayley, it can be incredibly nerve wracking, especially the first couple of times. I nearly didn't go through with it when I went to my first party, if it wasn't for a very understanding and patient friend who came with me I may have spent the evening alone and crying in a hotel room! So thank you M if you read this, I had the most fantastic time once I got over my nerves!
It's a great point, well put.
We are not exactly first timers but we have always known the other couple for a bit of time before hand which eased the passage a bit (ooh err.....no pun intended!).
Those we plan to meet of the forum, we have at least got to know a bit about before hand but when we meet face to face it will be the first time and even as someone who personally doesn't really suffer a great deal from nerves, I know there will be butterflies, albeit excited ones but that is also part of the attraction for us.
The one thing I think is, as long as we all show respect and undertanding towards each other, then it will be easier to say No if need be at a particular time without anyone feeling hurt.
Dont make out you are something you are not, be upfront, honest and genuine. It's always stood me in good stead in day to day life and I dont see why it should be any different in this community.
When I first tried to get into the swinging scene, some 10 years back and before the internet was popular and making these things easier, I got a response from a lovely single lady whose ad I had responded to. When she gave me her phone number I, somewhat nervously, tried calling it. I was freaked out when a guy answered the phone that I hung up and never tried again! That's about as close as I've come to wasting anyones time.
I'm not calling anyone a chicken and sorry if it sounds like that.
Its just that no-one is born with confidence its something life and circumstances teach you.
I would have liked better teaching, earlier so i'd have had less to do later.
If you're going to have an attack of nerves, that's okay, happens to everyone, but at the least you should pluck up the courage to let the poor sod know about it so they don't sit waiting for hours, or drop them an email to apologise afterwards. I mean, that's common courtesy, isn't it?
It can all feel like its all oneself,one sided but this thread shows everyone feels it in their own one thing thats a no-no is to just plain not turn cancel - thats always another all lead complicated lives,there can be practical reasons - and even if its a vibe/mood thing,we're not machines,its got to feel right.
We recently botled it and cancelled a meet. Have emailed said person and explained & apologized but as yet no response. Feel awful.
Sounds to me that you did everything right, so no need to feel awful on this regard. (Just because you do everything right doesn't mean the other folks will too, sadly.)
Everyone has the right to cancel, but equally, we're all bad at handling rejection.
Fortunately the majority of the SH regulars are adult enough to respect others feelings enough to make the effort to let the other party know whats going on.
But I think we're actually in the minority.
SA
XXX