u/Sad-Piece6213

I'm 34, short, curvy, partnered and exploring polyamory. I'm based in Johannesburg, but I'm open to online connections too because apparently finding emotionally available people in one geographic location is harder than it should be.

I'm not looking for a collection of people to flirt with at 11pm when they don't have anything to do. I'd actually like to get to know someone.

I'm open to multiple connections and I'm not coming here with a predetermined “this needs to become a relationship” agenda. I'd rather meet people, talk, build trust, see if there's chemistry and let things develop naturally.

Emotional connection matters to me. So does companionship, affection, being able to talk about absolutely nothing and everything, checking in because you actually want to, laughing together and eventually becoming people who genuinely enjoy having each other in their lives.

I'm a slow burn. I'm not rushing into anything, and if your opening message is basically a sexual proposition, we're probably not going to be a great match. 😅

I'm attracted to people who are kind, emotionally intelligent, curious, communicative and consistent. Bonus points if you're funny and can hold an actual conversation.

I'm very independent in everyday life, but here's the contradiction: I spend most of my life being capable and taking care of things, while secretly wanting someone to make me feel ridiculously adored and safe enough to switch all of that off sometimes.

I read far too many smut books, I'm fascinated by psychology and people, and I'm probably a little shy underneath all the confidence.

Johannesburg is ideal, but I'm willing to see where online connections go too. I'm much more interested in effort and genuine interest than a postcode.

If you're going to message me, tell me something about yourself. Give me something I can actually respond to. “Hey” is technically a word, but it's not exactly a conversation starter. 😉

Honesty, respect and sexual safety are absolute requirements.

Hi everyone, I’m in Johannesburg East and I’m looking for advice on what my next step should be with a mechanic.

I paid a mechanic to carry out repairs on my vehicle. Unfortunately, the vehicle was still not fixed after the work was supposedly completed. I contacted the mechanic numerous times and complained that the problem had not been resolved, but I got nowhere.

Because this is my only means of transport, I eventually had to take the vehicle to a second mechanic to have it properly diagnosed and repaired.

This is where things became very concerning.

The second mechanic found that some of the parts/repairs that I had paid the first mechanic for had apparently not been done at all. The new mechanic was able to show me what had actually been done/not done, and I have photos as evidence.

I then sent the first mechanic a written letter explaining the findings, together with the photographs, and gave him a few days to refund the money I had paid for the work that wasn't done.

Interestingly, before I sent him the photographs, he told me that everything had been fitted and completed exactly as stated on the invoice.

After I sent the photographs showing the findings from the second mechanic, he went completely quiet.

The deadline I gave him has now passed and I have received no response and no refund.

I’m now trying to figure out what the correct next step is.

I’m considering lodging a complaint with MIOSA and/or the National Consumer Commission, but I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has dealt with something similar in South Africa.

There is also something else that concerns me.

The mechanic relied quite heavily on his Google reviews/reputation when I originally chose him. I intended to leave an honest review this morning explaining what happened, but I noticed that his Google business listing now says “permanently closed”, so I can't leave a review there.

The strange thing is that he is still operating.

The timing is concerning because the deadline I gave him to refund me has just passed, and now the Google listing has apparently been marked as permanently closed.

I obviously don't want to make accusations that I can't prove, but the timing seems very suspicious.

What would you do in my position?

Should I go straight to MIOSA?

Should I lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission?

Is there another authority or process I should use?

Should I consider opening a criminal case if I can prove that I paid for parts/work that were never actually supplied?

Should I send one final formal demand before escalating?

Is there anything specific I should make sure I include in my evidence?

I have the invoice, proof of payment, WhatsApp/messages, the letter I sent him, his response saying the work was completed, the photographs from the second mechanic, and the second mechanic's findings/repair invoice.

I would really appreciate advice from anyone familiar with consumer law, MIOSA, mechanics/repair disputes, or who has been through something similar in Gauteng.

I’m not looking for a witch hunt or to damage the business — I just want to recover the money I paid for work/parts that, according to the second mechanic's findings, were not actually supplied.

Thanks in advance.

I'm a 34-year-old woman working in a high-demand industry and lately I've been feeling completely lost.

There's a lot of stress at home and work isn't helping. The company isn't performing particularly well, yet the workload just keeps increasing. They keep taking on more work but expect the same already overworked people to just get on with it and be grateful.

I know I'm lucky to have a job and I genuinely am grateful for it. That's part of why I feel guilty for complaining. But the truth is, I'm exhausted. I wake up tired, I go to bed tired, and I honestly feel a bit dead inside.

I'm just wondering... is this how a lot of people are feeling these days, or am I just being soft? I'd really like to hear other people's experiences because I'm struggling to tell whether this is normal burnout or if it's just me.

Hey everyone,

I’m considering investing in a sewing machine and starting a small handmade products side business as an extra source of income. I’m still in the research/planning stage and wanted to get some honest feedback from people who actually buy handmade/custom products.

I’m interested in things like hats, bags, accessories, apparel, and other sewn/custom items, but I’m keeping an open mind and trying to figure out where the real interest is.

I’d really appreciate some honest opinions on things like:

What kinds of handmade/custom products do you personally buy or find interesting?

What makes you choose a small independent seller over a larger brand?

Do you care more about:

quality

uniqueness

customization

branding

affordability

locally made products

limited editions

Where do you usually discover smaller brands/products? (Instagram, TikTok, Etsy, markets, Reddit, etc.)

What price range feels reasonable for handmade items?

What kinds of products do you think are oversaturated right now?

Are there any niches/styles/themes you think are underserved?

What immediately turns you off from buying from a small brand online?

Do you prefer practical/everyday products or more fashion/style-focused items?

For anyone already running a handmade side business:

Was it worth getting into?

What products ended up selling better than expected?

What mistakes should beginners avoid?

How difficult was it to become profitable?

What platform worked best for getting your first customers?

Would you recommend starting small and made-to-order, or trying to build inventory first?

I’m open to experimenting and learning, so honest opinions are genuinely appreciated — even if the feedback is critical.

Thanks in advance.

Hey everyone,

I’m considering investing in a sewing machine and starting a small handmade products side business as an extra source of income. I’m still in the research/planning stage and wanted to get some honest feedback from people who actually buy handmade/custom products.

I’m interested in things like hats, bags, accessories, apparel, and other sewn/custom items, but I’m keeping an open mind and trying to figure out where the real interest is.

I’d really appreciate some honest opinions on things like:

What kinds of handmade/custom products do you personally buy or find interesting?

What makes you choose a small independent seller over a larger brand?

Do you care more about:

quality

uniqueness

customization

branding

affordability

locally made products

limited editions

Where do you usually discover smaller brands/products? (Instagram, TikTok, Etsy, markets, Reddit, etc.)

What price range feels reasonable for handmade items?

What kinds of products do you think are oversaturated right now?

Are there any niches/styles/themes you think are underserved?

What immediately turns you off from buying from a small brand online?

Do you prefer practical/everyday products or more fashion/style-focused items?

For anyone already running a handmade side business:

Was it worth getting into?

What products ended up selling better than expected?

What mistakes should beginners avoid?

How difficult was it to become profitable?

What platform worked best for getting your first customers?

Would you recommend starting small and made-to-order, or trying to build inventory first?

I’m open to experimenting and learning, so honest opinions are genuinely appreciated — even if the feedback is critical.

Thanks in advance.