The Student Room Group

Zero relationship experience

As a 22 year old male, I’ve never had any relationship, dating experience, nor have I ever hooked up. There may have been several factors, but I just never had any luck with dating. Every time I would ask a girl out, I would always be rejected. I was always told from a young age not to just shag anyone but keep pure for your future spouse and they will love you more for it. I thought this was real as I thought others did the same. Fast forward to now, and over time I realised that I feel like my upbringing has been a lie. No one is pure and chase and other people my age have been in a relationship, or currently is in one. Any womean I approach always reject me which puts me down. I few inferior and have no idea what to do. I’m always told, don’t be desperate. But how can you not be desperate when you feel like zero, and everyone else around you is in a relationship and you are still getting nowhere. Just makes you more separate doesn’t it.

I know this has been a rant, but it’s probably my ADHD overthinking that’s causing me to waffle.

But I would still like to hear what everyone has to say.

Thanks you
Hey - older student here!
It's all going to come good, but that wont help you right now.

Concentrate on being a decent bloke - whilst it might not win you many quick wins, it'll be awesome in the end and pay dividends. And research - so that when the opportunity arises you blow minds. 100% quality over quantity for ladies.

If you're into chaps, I can't help so much but maybe we're not all so different in the end?!

Figure out who you are, what you like to do in terms of hobbies and you'll meet plenty of cool people and who knows what will happen 🙂 And we all get it wrong a time or two, so don't sweat it.
Reply 2
It’s about playing to strengths, doing what you can on weaknesses, learning from set backs, widening the search and a lot of resilience. Dating is not easy for many, but if you do this something good turns up. You’re right, staying pure is bunkum
yup, not unusual or unheard of for guys, men, to be a decade or more older than you and still be in this position
All my friends are in relationships and it doesn't bother me. So just don't worry about what others say or think about you, as long as you're doing what makes you happy and what you like. Your time will come, even though it doesn't seem like it. Just focus on you and love yourself, and people who like you for you will come. You'll find your perfect someone soon!
I know that social pressure might make you feel like this is something you need to be doing right now, but as a a 28 (f) i can tell you the following: (1) girls don’t like when guys immediately show their romantic interest. Try becoming friends with them first and only pursue a girl that you actually like and are actually attracted to. It’s important though that you see that she reciprocate interest 2) girls like when guys are confident & funny and treat them as equals 3) 22 is still so young, don’t worry about it too much. There are also a lot of girls that are in the same position as you right now. People just don’t share that information you would be surprised how many people are in your position right now 4) you have to realise that everyone has different values when it comes to sleeping with people and not one is better than the other. Chose how you would like to go about that, do you want to wait? Would you like to engage in more casual things? Would you like to wait for a relationship,…? These are things you need to think of for yourself while also not judging the choices of other people.
Life is about making connections more than being able to say you had meaningless sex. Good luck out there!
Original post by Anonymous
I know that social pressure might make you feel like this is something you need to be doing right now, but as a a 28 (f) i can tell you the following: (1) girls don’t like when guys immediately show their romantic interest. Try becoming friends with them first and only pursue a girl that you actually like and are actually attracted to. It’s important though that you see that she reciprocate interest 2) girls like when guys are confident & funny and treat them as equals 3) 22 is still so young, don’t worry about it too much. There are also a lot of girls that are in the same position as you right now. People just don’t share that information you would be surprised how many people are in your position right now 4) you have to realise that everyone has different values when it comes to sleeping with people and not one is better than the other. Chose how you would like to go about that, do you want to wait? Would you like to engage in more casual things? Would you like to wait for a relationship,…? These are things you need to think of for yourself while also not judging the choices of other people.
Life is about making connections more than being able to say you had meaningless sex. Good luck out there!

yeah, sadly reminds me of how i've heard of sad stories or cases of some guys, for example, an acquaintence of mine, a guy who never had a girlfriend until his early 30's, not until like 31 or 32, when i hear of stories like that, it fills me with anger and resentment, because its a reminder that, men are obviously more likely than women are to still be single like that.
Reply 7
Original post by Anonymous
As a 22 year old male, I’ve never had any relationship, dating experience, nor have I ever hooked up. There may have been several factors, but I just never had any luck with dating. Every time I would ask a girl out, I would always be rejected. I was always told from a young age not to just shag anyone but keep pure for your future spouse and they will love you more for it. I thought this was real as I thought others did the same. Fast forward to now, and over time I realised that I feel like my upbringing has been a lie. No one is pure and chase and other people my age have been in a relationship, or currently is in one. Any womean I approach always reject me which puts me down. I few inferior and have no idea what to do. I’m always told, don’t be desperate. But how can you not be desperate when you feel like zero, and everyone else around you is in a relationship and you are still getting nowhere. Just makes you more separate doesn’t it.
I know this has been a rant, but it’s probably my ADHD overthinking that’s causing me to waffle.
But I would still like to hear what everyone has to say.
Thanks you


Just don't care what other people think ..

I'm 16 year old girl which is also never been in a relationship because I've always had a thought in my head asking myself to wait for the right person and I know would love everyone would think it that way rather than hooking up with every person they think attractive or something and honestly I would love it if one day my partner has always been single. That will tell me that I can keep him to myself (ik I'm selfish but better than a man who wouldve keep reminding about ex's)

Forget what others think and do what you want to do. And at this point we both can question ourselves asking is there any humanity remains in this society to expect love ..

Hope you'll have a great love life where you're 100% happy about yourself and your partner
Original post by H8Courtship217
yeah, sadly reminds me of how i've heard of sad stories or cases of some guys, for example, an acquaintence of mine, a guy who never had a girlfriend until his early 30's, not until like 31 or 32, when i hear of stories like that, it fills me with anger and resentment, because its a reminder that, men are obviously more likely than women are to still be single like that.

There isn't much wrong with starting dating in your 30s. As long as he's happy with a person he likes he's won as far as I'm concerned.
Original post by Doomotron
There isn't much wrong with starting dating in your 30s. As long as he's happy with a person he likes he's won as far as I'm concerned.

why is there nothing wrong with it? thats not normal, he says he's not proud of the fact it took him that long, didn't grow up having a normal youth because of that.
Original post by H8Courtship217
why is there nothing wrong with it? thats not normal, he says he's not proud of the fact it took him that long, didn't grow up having a normal youth because of that.

If his main priority in his twenties was to lose his virginity and he failed at that, he probably should have re-evaluated his goals in life.

I don't know what your friend might say, but sex really isn't the life changing moment it's made out to be.

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