Metro

‘You’ve never kissed anyone? Does that mean, you know, you’ve never had sex?’ Yes, Jonathan from Tinder, that is exactly what it means. I’m 23 years old and I’m a virgin. That’s not something you hear everyday I know, but we exist and I am sick of not talking about it, tired of tiptoeing around the topic and of it being a ‘bad thing’ in my head. The fact that I haven’t had sex yet has nothing to do with religious reasons, strict parents or being ashamed of my sexuality – I just haven’t ever go

Working from home has its perks – easy access to the snack cupboard, the fact PJs can be worn all day and being around for deliveries. But there are some downsides to the new remote working climate. One of them being how easy it is to pop for a wee without any of your colleagues noticing – and the effect this is having on our bladders. As a result, there’s a new phenomenon emerging which we are coining ‘the WFH bladder’ – whereby the organ is noticeably weaker than it was when we were all in t

Hours, days and months are going by, but many of us are getting that repetitive ‘Groundhog Day’ feeling. Time is passing yet nothing is really happening. Instead we are in a limbo where we are not living our lives to the full and we are faced with a limited amount of freedom. Restrictions on socialising, going into the office, dining out, travelling and more are making it difficult for people to feel satisfied with their lifestyles. Simply put, most of us are just existing, rather than living

Remember a few months ago when young people got their hopes up that they would finally be able to afford a house? Well, reality has come crashing back down for those hopeless dreamers, as the Rightmove House Price Index for October revealed that house prices are now 5.5% higher than a year ago. That’s the biggest rate of increase for over four years. To put it frankly, the housing market is booming, when a few months ago people were predicting the uncertainty of the pandemic would finally help

Graduating during a global pandemic is a whole new level of terrifying. On top of the normal fears that come with this huge life change, there is the added pressure of a catastrophic economic downturn.

Paul Hollywood has come under fire for introducing rainbow bagels to Great British Bake Off with absolutely no idea what significance his technical challenge had to an LGBTQ+ audience. While Paul may be the one in the firing line, his bagel blunder is simply evidence of a much bigger problem. During Tuesday’s Bread Week, the 54-year-old set the Bake Off class of 2020 its most colourful challenge yet in rainbow bagels and acknowledged their historical relevance. Only, he’s been reading the wron

Yes, that’s right. Spaghetti in a burger. You heard me correctly. The Oxford Circus branch of restaurant chain Honest Burgers has released a deep-fried spaghetti burger in collaboration with pasta restaurant Pastaio.

Flushable sanitary pads are now a thing, all thanks to a new brand called Planera. These pads really are a milestone for anyone who experiences periods. For years now we’ve seen reusable and eco-friendly sanitary products brought out, but nothing on the flushable front. This was something that bothered Planera’s co-founder Dr Olivia Ahn, who felt that it was the responsibility of brands to do better. She tells Metro.co.uk: ‘I really became quite frustrated that the responsibility had been pus

A woman has shared her anger after ‘rude’ staff at Alton Towers shouted ‘she can’t walk’ and turned her disabled sister away from a ride. Becky Cheetham, 28, paid £40 to visit the theme park with her girlfriend Lucy and sister Hannah, 30, who has cerebral palsy. In an open letter, she told how Hannah, described as being ‘the biggest adrenaline junkie’ couldn’t ride three of the park’s main attractions.

It’s safe to say that lockdown (and the subsequent norm of staying at home a lot more) hasn’t helped the nation’s plant obsession. We are more committed to our houseplants than ever and, being the doting plant parents that we are, we’re always looking for different ways to keep them thriving – from knowing how to water them correctly to researching the best technology and gadgets to help them along. One theory that’s been floating around over the years is the idea that talking to your housepla

As we hit the six-month coronavirus mark, there’s still plenty of restrictions in place. The ‘rule of six’ is perhaps the biggest one that is affecting our day-to-day lives at the moment. Having to choose just five other people to socialise with at a time can be difficult and stressful – especially when you’re part of a larger friendship group. Obviously, nobody wants to offend anyone or make it seem like there are favourites within a group – so there are all sorts of emotional issues the rule

Today, 23 September, marks an important milestone – six months since the UK went into coronavirus lockdown. A lot has happened during that time. If we think back to the very beginning, we saw the nation adjust to a new stripped-back, isolated lifestyle. Many busied themselves with baking – posting photos of banana bread and sourdough loaves – while others saw it as an opportunity to make the most of having so much time with partners, kids and housemates. After a difficult three months, meeting

There have been numerous repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic, from social restrictions and job losses to financial difficulties, but a huge one that is floating under the radar is the impact it has had on sexual health. And it’s women, in particular, who are suffering. In fact, medical journal The Lancet has said the pandemic is having a ‘devastating’ effect on the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls across the globe. Back in April, one Lancet report even stressed that, whi

Because I’m an openly bisexual man, I’m required to wait three months if I’ve engaged in oral or anal sex with a man to donate again – no matter if protection, medication or testing has been used – but the same rules don’t apply if it’s a woman. This means I’ve deliberately not gone on dates with men to keep my blood donation appointment. It really feels like I’m having to compromise a part of my identity to continue donating blood.

Over the past few years, more and more brands have been adopting rental models that allow customers to momentarily own their desired item, without taking a giant hit to their bank balance in one go. Fashion brands have fully backed this renting movement, with many offering designer clothes on a short-term lease at a fraction of the price. Now, homeware brands are jumping on the bandwagon, with retailers such as John Lewis, Ikea and Muji introducing their own furniture rental schemes. The dema

Lynsey Searle has lived with fibromyalgia, a condition causing widespread pain and extreme tiredness, for around five years. The counsellor, 42, has regular massages and chiropractic treatment but fears this option may soon be taken away. East Lancashire, where she lives, remains under strict local lockdown after a surge in coronavirus cases.

Last week, the UK entered a recession for the first time in 11 years – following the devastating impact of coronavirus on the economy. To make things worse, official data has shown that it’s the biggest recession on record. For many millennials and all Gen Zers, it marks the second recession in their lifetime before they turned 30. There’s no denying that the coming months (and years) will be a bumpy ride financially – particularly with widespread redundancies and salary cuts on the horizon w

My single self would have felt disbelief at the present sight of me. Music holds a stronger potency than it did before. And it turns out that letting someone cut your fringe, even if a part of your brow goes with it, isn’t so scary after all. Of course, it is frightening to make yourself so vulnerable to someone else; to unpick the armour that surrounds your heart and place it in the delicate hands of another person. But I have had to allow myself to trust the process. If you meet someone who you get along with like a best friend, they make you laugh till your belly aches and you have a gorgeous time, hold onto that. That is the stuff of life and it doesn’t happen often.

As an iconic seaside destination, Brighton is already a popular option for staycations this summer, with families and day-trippers flocking off the train from London’s Victoria station.

The cobbled streets of Paris are starting to fill up once again. Tables and their guests spill out onto the roads, making the most of their newfound space.

Every young woman I had contact with in Westminster appeared to have a ‘story’ to pass on, and would warn the new women who became involved...

Lockdown is slowly lifting and social events are back on – albeit in a distanced and safe manner. But after months of being told to ‘stay home’ to protect ourselves and others, lots of people are finding it difficult to ‘switch on’ their social lives again. We’re all in different places on the ‘new normal’ spectrum – some are perfectly happy to go to the pub with friends while others are still cautious about social meet-ups of any kind. And people who are not ready to engage in social events

Over the past few months, working from home has become the ‘new normal’, but with restrictions lifting, lots of people will (slowly) be getting back to office life. This has prompted many to think about whether they want to return at all. The coronavirus pandemic has put things into perspective. Some have realised they don’t want to continue in a job they don’t enjoy, while others have come to see that they are not getting the support/progression/pay they need. ‘What coronavirus is doing for

There’s a lot to be anxious about at the moment. The coronavirus pandemic has had a knock-on effect on so many different areas of our lives – from our dating routines to our socialising habits. Our work lives are also changing (or are about to) and this is causing a lot of concern. Whether it’s the impending economic recession that’s likely to result in a number of job losses, or the fact that the pandemic could slow career progression (and pay rises) down. Career anxiety is rife in the curr

A new shop in Beijing will make book lovers weak at the knees. The Zhongshuge bookstore – which has recently opened inside the city’s Lafayette department store – features tunnels and hidden reading nooks. Designed by architecture firm X+Living, the building is inspired by traditional Chinese gardens. The unique space includes walls of books and round walkways, which pay homage to ‘moon gates’ – circular openings often built in Chinese gardens. But nods to the country’s culture do not stop t

Imagine spending months locked in a cramped, six-by-twelve-foot space – with only two hours outside per day. It’s enough to destroy anyone’s mental health, but this is the reality of life for my partner Chris, and the 87,900 people inside prisons in the UK during this pandemic. I remember crying inconsolably when he was arrested in November 2019. I was devastated at the thought of his freedom being taken away. Now, he’s awaiting trial on class A drug importation charges after being accused of

Dame Helen Mirren and Liam Gallagher were among the celebrities who donated their things to Oxfam to raise money for its coronavirus response appeal.

Yesterday, news broke that, for the first time in eight years, house prices had fallen. After years of crippling financial setbacks – from the tripling of tuition fees to travel prices soaring – it was just what millennials and Gen Zers needed to hear. But before we crack out the champagne (or more likely Aldi prosecco – there’s an impending UK recession, after all), it’s worth considering just how noticeable these changes will be. First, let’s get our heads around the actual statistics. Acc

As lockdown slowly lifts, people are descending on outdoor spaces. But after watching the natural world thrive over the past four months – with wildlife returning to tourist-free cities and pollution levels lowering – humans have been quick to leave their mark on beauty spots again. Images taken over recent weeks show the country’s parks and beaches flooded with litter after crowds head home for the day. From Starbucks cups and picnic remains to cigarette butts and beer bottles, park-goers ha