Suzan Mutesi, who works as a writer and actor, divides her time between London and Sydney. Because of her lifestyle and career, she has met a wide range of people over the years.
After being in two long-term relationships during her twenties, Suzan decided to change how she approached dating in her thirties. She even joked that she would line up dates for evenings when she did not feel like cooking, turning dating into something more casual and routine.
One of the more unusual situations started when she connected with a man on LinkedIn, who initially came across as professional and put-together.
After moving their conversation to WhatsApp and speaking over video calls, she agreed to meet him in person, expecting a similar impression.
During the date, he revealed that he lived in a van without basic facilities like a shower or toilet, and that he washed himself in the ocean each day.
“He tried to kiss me and I just said ‘Oh look at the stars’ to distract him – I just couldn’t believe it,” Suzan told PA Real Life.
Another date also took an uncomfortable turn after someone she initially got along with drank heavily during their time together. Things escalated when he showed her an AI-generated image of her in underwear on his phone.
“He said he wanted to envision me in lingerie, so I got up and thanked him for his time – I was just in shock,” she added.
“It was so creepy – it was the one time I didn’t screen someone.”
Even though her recent dating experiences have not gone as planned, Suzan still sees herself as a romantic person. She even bought herself flowers to celebrate Valentine’s Day, choosing to focus on self-appreciation while she rethinks her approach to dating.
