mfh

So I'm 23, male, and have never been in a relationship. All my sexual experience was in college, where "dating" didn't really mean "going out on dates" but rather "sex where you can just ignore the consequences". I am beginning to regret this, and think that I should have fostered my relationship "skills" as it were a little better while I was in school.

I've been working professionally (pretty hard) for 2 years now, and have only been on a few real "dates" - talk about awkward. I get the distinct feeling that I am at a job interview when I am sitting across the table being asked questions or asking questions with a girl. I went on dates in high school but never felt the kind of pressure I do now. It's a really strange thing. The past 2 girls I've "dated" sort of just blew me off after a couple of times. I'm not sure what this means. I wouldn't say I'm unattractive, and I have a great career, so it must be something else. Something less.. tangible.

Anyway, so I'm kind of lonely these days because the only consistent human interaction is my buddies and their girlfriends (none of which seem to have any damn girl friends...), which gets monotonous, and pretty much cannot think of any kind of scenario where I'd end up in a relationship with someone I actually like, and who likes me.

So I guess my question is how old were you when you first became involved with someone else? Is a slump in your early 20s normal? Like I said I'm 23.

Thanks for your input.

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mike