Why do you think he didn't show up?

I chatted with someone here and actually agreed to meet him because he didn't live far from me (against all my friends advice, I should add). I drove about two hours and went to the area where we were to meet and messaged him. He never showed up. He said he was working hard on a job and apparently didn't check his messages. He has apologized. I have a strong feeling there is more to the story about why he never showed up. Any ideas?

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greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

Just thought I would add a comment about why I'd take a chance meeting someone I met on the Internet.

All my life I've been conservative and cautious about things like that. I've always used a lot of common Sense about risky situations. In general, I have been careful about taking undue risk with people or activities.

And...I've been a victim of violent crime numerous times anyway! And I've always been revictimized by people assuming I must be very irresponsible and trashy. The comments people have made, the questions people have asked me to put me on the defensive, were actually as hurtful as the crimes themselves were.

It seems all my caution did was limit my life. It did not prevent harm and it did not save my social reputation at all. It is now one of the facets of my life and personality I find myself reexamining, like my former belief in always handling conflict non-violently. (I've come to the conclusion that harsh words are often more destructive than fists). A lot of things are now questionable in my mind; this is like a second adolescence for me.

wilderflower · F

@greenmountaingal Everybody has a time when they do something different to break out of their shell.
You’re fine.

daydeeo · 61-69, M

@greenmountaingal I like your attitude. Common sense caution, of course. But a life with zero risk is pretty darn boring.
In fact, there's no such thing as zero risk. If you spend all your energy doing nothing but minimizing risk - what's the point of living?