Accused of Catfishing! (I don't fish)

TTMR

Hall of Fame
As many of you know, my wife and I parted ways mutually a few weeks ago, so I've been working on trading up using the new-fangled technogadgetry called "online dating". As technology has improved immensely beneficial to human progress over millennia, I deduced that the same would apply to the field of companionship.

The matchmaker suggested that it was important that my photos be taken by someone else, and that it was crucial to have at least one "group shot". As I don't have a photogenic (or willing) group of friends, I hired some students from the local university to be my backdrop, pretending to be from a soccer team (I've never kicked a soccer ball).

So this one lady and I went on a date to a Seattle-based coffee chain. The caffeine, sugar and bitter taste made me nervous and jittery and I kept complaining about the food and caramel-encrusted leather lounge chairs we were forced to sit on. Nevertheless, the date went well and we planned another.

Well apparently the lady's nephew attends local said university, and his roommate knows one of the students I hired and told the story to the nephew. I guess the lady was over at the nephew's parents' house and when she was talking about her date, the nephew connected the dots, laughing it up. The lady was humiliated.

She confronted me (over e-mail), cancelled our date and accused me of "catfishing". I replied and told her I don't know what she's talking about and I don't fish. She elaborated and told me the above, and how I embarrassed her. I replied saying, "LOL! As if you didn't take your pics 15 lbs ago!".

Do you think I still have a chance? It's a small town.

(P.S. While in preparations I asked the matchmaker "Why don't you and I just date?" He wasn't interested.)
 
As many of you know, my wife and I parted ways mutually a few weeks ago, so I've been working on trading up using the new-fangled technogadgetry called "online dating". As technology has improved immensely beneficial to human progress over millennia, I deduced that the same would apply to the field of companionship.

The matchmaker suggested that it was important that my photos be taken by someone else, and that it was crucial to have at least one "group shot". As I don't have a photogenic (or willing) group of friends, I hired some students from the local university to be my backdrop, pretending to be from a soccer team (I've never kicked a soccer ball).

So this one lady and I went on a date to a Seattle-based coffee chain. The caffeine, sugar and bitter taste made me nervous and jittery and I kept complaining about the food and caramel-encrusted leather lounge chairs we were forced to sit on. Nevertheless, the date went well and we planned another.

Well apparently the lady's nephew attends local said university, and his roommate knows one of the students I hired and told the story to the nephew. I guess the lady was over at the nephew's parents' house and when she was talking about her date, the nephew connected the dots, laughing it up. The lady was humiliated.

She confronted me (over e-mail), cancelled our date and accused me of "catfishing". I replied and told her I don't know what she's talking about and I don't fish. She elaborated and told me the above, and how I embarrassed her. I replied saying, "LOL! As if you didn't take your pics 15 lbs ago!".

Do you think I still have a chance? It's a small town.

(P.S. While in preparations I asked the matchmaker "Why don't you and I just date?" He wasn't interested.)
She went on a second date. That means she likes you. Just up to you to play your cards right.
 

Lleytonstation

Talk Tennis Guru
As many of you know, my wife and I parted ways mutually a few weeks ago, so I've been working on trading up using the new-fangled technogadgetry called "online dating". As technology has improved immensely beneficial to human progress over millennia, I deduced that the same would apply to the field of companionship.

The matchmaker suggested that it was important that my photos be taken by someone else, and that it was crucial to have at least one "group shot". As I don't have a photogenic (or willing) group of friends, I hired some students from the local university to be my backdrop, pretending to be from a soccer team (I've never kicked a soccer ball).

So this one lady and I went on a date to a Seattle-based coffee chain. The caffeine, sugar and bitter taste made me nervous and jittery and I kept complaining about the food and caramel-encrusted leather lounge chairs we were forced to sit on. Nevertheless, the date went well and we planned another.

Well apparently the lady's nephew attends local said university, and his roommate knows one of the students I hired and told the story to the nephew. I guess the lady was over at the nephew's parents' house and when she was talking about her date, the nephew connected the dots, laughing it up. The lady was humiliated.

She confronted me (over e-mail), cancelled our date and accused me of "catfishing". I replied and told her I don't know what she's talking about and I don't fish. She elaborated and told me the above, and how I embarrassed her. I replied saying, "LOL! As if you didn't take your pics 15 lbs ago!".

Do you think I still have a chance? It's a small town.

(P.S. While in preparations I asked the matchmaker "Why don't you and I just date?" He wasn't interested.)
I think the matchmaker would be open to the idea. Obviously he still seems invested in you. My thoughts would be to keep working that angle.
 

TTMR

Hall of Fame
I think the nephew is to blame here, mocking his aunt at the supper table. Back in my day, we practiced something called "saving face". Zoomers should give it a try.
 

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
He wrote that he pretended to be a part of a soccer team. He is not.
He didn’t pretend to be part of a soccer team. He just made some new friends who happened to be soccer players, and decided that he looked good in the pic taken with them.
 

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
If OP messed up here, it wasn’t in the dating profile, which appears to have been executed quite successfully.

It was in not coming clean during the date, which could have been done smoothly in a moment when her guard was lowered by his charm.
 

TTMR

Hall of Fame
He didn’t pretend to be part of a soccer team. He just made some new friends who happened to be soccer players, and decided that he looked good in the pic taken with them.
Indeed. My profile never said I played soccer. One of my pictures is of me with athletic university males I paid to pose in a group shot.

I don't consider it deceptive, but if @vokazu has a problem with it, his beef should be with the matchmaker. I'm the victim here.
 
I think the nephew is to blame here, mocking his aunt at the supper table. Back in my day, we practiced something called "saving face". Zoomers should give it a try.
catfish is still a good meal aunt throwing away her chances. Just need a little tartar sauce and the right spices. Maybe invite her to a fish fry. Everybody wants a little extra on their fish.
 

vokazu

Legend
He didn’t pretend to be part of a soccer team. He just made some new friends who happened to be soccer players, and decided that he looked good in the pic taken with them.
He did not make new friends. He HIRED them.

He did write he made that group photo to pretend to be part of a soccer team. Why made a fake group photo by hiring strangers and you pretend to be part of that fake hired group? It's not a genuine photo and it's a form of dishonesty.
 

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
He did not make new friends. He HIRED them.

He did write he made that group photo to pretend to be part of a soccer team. Why made a fake group photo by hiring strangers and you pretend to be part of that fake hired group? It's not a genuine photo and it's a form of dishonesty.
What if he had snapped a photo of himself on vacation in the Monte Carlo Ritz Carlton penthouse suite using a fake background to lure gold diggers to his profile? Would you consider that worse than baiting soccer moms?
 

TTMR

Hall of Fame
He did not make new friends. He HIRED them.

He did write he made that group photo to pretend to be part of a soccer team. Why made a fake group photo by hiring strangers and you pretend to be part of that fake hired group? It's not a genuine photo and it's a form of dishonesty.

Group photos are imperative for an "OLD" profile. The problem is there's too few real life situations where the opportunity comes up.

The matchmaker was adamant that it was necessary.
 

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
Group photos are imperative for an "OLD" profile. The problem is there's too few real life situations where the opportunity comes up.

The matchmaker was adamant that it was necessary.
It sounds like your matchmaker knows what she’s doing.
 

TTMR

Hall of Fame
He did not make new friends. He HIRED them.

He did write he made that group photo to pretend to be part of a soccer team. Why made a fake group photo by hiring strangers and you pretend to be part of that fake hired group? It's not a genuine photo and it's a form of dishonesty.

Isn't it dishonest of her to post pics from when she was thinner?

I'd argue it's more dishonest. I was standing next to a group of athletes -- she made an inference that I was an athlete as well. Her brain made unwarranted associations.

Don't hate da playa - hate da game.

That’s unfortunate. All of the matchmakers I have ever come across have been female and opportunistic.

Example?
 
Isn't it dishonest of her to post pics from when she was thinner?

I'd argue it's more dishonest. I was standing next to a group of athletes -- she made an inference that I was an athlete as well. Her brain made unwarranted associations.

Don't hate da playa - hate da game.



Example?
You literally say pretending:
pretending to be from a soccer team

This is not some of your better work.
 
As many of you know, my wife and I parted ways mutually a few weeks ago, so I've been working on trading up using the new-fangled technogadgetry called "online dating". As technology has improved immensely beneficial to human progress over millennia, I deduced that the same would apply to the field of companionship.

The matchmaker suggested that it was important that my photos be taken by someone else, and that it was crucial to have at least one "group shot". As I don't have a photogenic (or willing) group of friends, I hired some students from the local university to be my backdrop, pretending to be from a soccer team (I've never kicked a soccer ball).

So this one lady and I went on a date to a Seattle-based coffee chain. The caffeine, sugar and bitter taste made me nervous and jittery and I kept complaining about the food and caramel-encrusted leather lounge chairs we were forced to sit on. Nevertheless, the date went well and we planned another.

Well apparently the lady's nephew attends local said university, and his roommate knows one of the students I hired and told the story to the nephew. I guess the lady was over at the nephew's parents' house and when she was talking about her date, the nephew connected the dots, laughing it up. The lady was humiliated.

She confronted me (over e-mail), cancelled our date and accused me of "catfishing". I replied and told her I don't know what she's talking about and I don't fish. She elaborated and told me the above, and how I embarrassed her. I replied saying, "LOL! As if you didn't take your pics 15 lbs ago!".

Do you think I still have a chance? It's a small town.

(P.S. While in preparations I asked the matchmaker "Why don't you and I just date?" He wasn't interested.)
such paraphrasing, much low standards
 

TTMR

Hall of Fame
So you weren't standing next to a group of athletes, you were standing next to a group of fake athletes.
They looked athletic. I carefully selected them based on their build and features. I also ensured they were diverse.

A group shot was pivotal for proving to romantic prospects that I'm sociable and athletic. You have a problem, take it up with the matchmaker.
 
They looked athletic. I carefully selected them based on their build and features. I also ensured they were diverse.

A group shot was pivotal for proving to romantic prospects that I'm sociable and athletic. You have a problem, take it up with the matchmaker.
I feel like I'm talking to Nathan Fielder.
 

NattyGut

Professional
They looked athletic. I carefully selected them based on their build and features. I also ensured they were diverse.

A group shot was pivotal for proving to romantic prospects that I'm sociable and athletic. You have a problem, take it up with the matchmaker.
"diverse" ...
 
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