I could kick myself!

Men, when it comes to shopping tend to be a bit set in their ways so perhaps, if you went shopping at the same time next week, he might be there.

Thanks Tegan. He did mention that he had forgot to take some chops out of the freezer so had called for a meal for one when he didn't normally go at that time. It's not often that I actually find someone I am attracted to so I am annoyed at myself.

If he is thinking the same he may call into the shop at the same time next week in the hope of bumping into you again - so go along anyway.

Ooh, ruby and he gave a clue, or dropped a hint in the mention of the 'meal for one'.

I'd be too shy to give someone my number in a brief encounter as you describe, but oh, I'd be kicking myself too. And I'd be frequenting that shop from now on.

Keep us posted ...! It may go from 'brief encounter' to 'some enchanted evening...'

I think if I was at the supermarket and innocently chatted to a man in the queue, and he asked me for my phone number, or suggested having a drink, you wouldn't see me for dust.

Oh yes - go again at the same time and perhaps suggest a coffee in the café - then you can wrestle him to the floor and have your wicked way with him.

Ah janea but you'll be sporting a wedding ring probably

I will quite happily chat like that at the checkout, but love my single lifestyle too much to take it any further, so if a relationship was in the offing it would need a few further 'chance' encounters to convince me to give anyone my number. Why seize on that one enjoyable chat with a stranger, rubylady? if you're ready for another relationship, there will be more opportunities. Don't rush in when you can create further opportunities by joining social groups and get to know people better first.

Nothing to do with wedding rings Lona, I do have one but even if I didn't, I'd be wary of a complete stranger who tried to pick me up in a supermarket!

I put Ruby's situation to MrA and he assumed an alarmed expression. He frequently buys dinners-for-one at the supermarket when I am off gadding somewhere and didn't realise he might be viewed as fair game by fellow shoppers on the prowl

In the same circumstances I would like to think I would have offered my number,but in reality i would be loitering by the checkout same time next week and then would suggest a coffee as it sounds very promising and why the heck not?

And there's always the Tesco delivery man to fall back on! (not literally, of course...)

None of my Tesco delivery men are suitable for falling back on!

rubylady has her eye on one of hers, though!

Or the Iceland delivery man, although probably he would be short , fat & balding

jane re Mr A - that's what my husband would react like too.

I have quite a few single friends who fawn over my husband (particularly his DIY skills and his lovely singing tenor) so I love to tease him and say there'll be a queue forming should anything happen to me - and that's when he assumes the alarmed expression .

Gk

My widowed eldest sister and widowed elder brother have just returned from a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. My sister was approached by an American lady one evening and asked for a private word. She wanted to know if my brother was "available" so my sister said "Why don't you ask him?"

Apparently he's not!

Agree with jane. I would run.
Is there a cafe at the supermarket ruby? In case you have another 'chance' meeting?

Having said the above re the women that seem to fancy my husband, that doesn't mean that I am making fun of those in their latter years looking for new relationships - and, often I'd say - they're welcome to him now!

I have another friend who had a lot of sadness in her 2 long term relationships, first husband was an alcoholic and died youngish, left her with two teenagers to raise, and her second husband was a depressive who kept threatening suicide (he eventually died of a heart attack and was found having made all the preparations for yet another suicide attempt). She is my age (65) and for the past 3 years has been in a relationship with a man who spoils her and had made her happier than I've ever known her to be.

My sister was divorced at 50 and said to me recently "the time has flown so quickly, and I never anticipated that I would still be on my own at 68". So go for it, ruby while you're young.

I suppose the only way is to regularly lurk around the checkout at that supermarket and hope to see him again. Giving a man your phone number is tricky, or would be for me, but on the other hand, why not?
The main thing is to find out if he is single, and the only way is to ask him, I suppose.
One part of your message resonated with me; you said it's not the ex boyfriend who you miss now, but the things you did together. I so agree.
My ex went off with someone else, over 5 years ago now, and I missed him unbearably at first. I don't any more, but I do miss our lifestyle, our holidays, our fun, our travels in a camper van. It's just not the same on your own, is it.
Good luck in your search! I hope the lovely chap turns up again.

Sadly real life is not always like When Harry Met Sally or Pretty Woman and thete may be very good reasons why he is shopping for meals for one- you might have had a lucky escape! However if you are "seriously" looking I know of 3 friends, divorced or widowed who have each found new soulmates through walking clubs. You also get fit so potentially a win-win situation

Soutra makes a good point!I would not give out your phone number either, as somebody could become a phone pest.You don't want to look too desperate either, try internet dating, always make the first date a coffee and chat, and don't give your address. If you like them [when you meet] have a further date, and then see how it goes. Good Luck.

Would those of you who would give your phone number to a complete stranger advise your teenage GD's to do the same?
What sort of message does that send out?
How do you know having chatted to them for 2 minutes that they are not some variety of weirdo that pop up on GN from time to time?
I must confess I'm if not gobsmacked, at the naivety being shown here.

In reply to jainainsworth. Needs must when the devil drives. Sorry, rubylady, it just had to come out.
On a serious note: we have 3 male, unattached friends who we socialise with and they can all spot a 'needy' woman a mile off. Try and make sure that your not giving out the wrong vibe.
I have a very attractive, intelligent friend but I can't invite her to any of our get togethers because she is needy and my male single friends run a mile.
It's become a joke now amongst our crowd.