Blind dates

Blind date is when a two people see each other for the first time, usually in a romantic context. Most blind dates come after few online chats and phone conversations. Here are some tips that would help you get through with the blind date in one happy piece:

The first thing to remember is to always be ready. Not in terms of contraception (that’s for a different blog) but in terms of clothing. Dress to impress but comfortable enough to be able to do all sorts of activities in your clothing: dancing, walking etc. Remember: your clothes reflect your personality – so don’t overdo it.

Smell is crucial. Always have small mints in your purse or pockets- you never know when that kiss is coming. You might want to brush your teeth before the date too. Oh, and a touch of perfume never killed anybody (notice I wrote “a touch”, because if you shower with your perfume, you might just kill someone).

Guys-

-Be ready to take care of all the financial part of the date, although we don’t object to (and rather encourage) splitting the bill.

- Avoid all barriers that can come between you.

- Humor would help her feel comfortable and relaxed. Use it wisely.

Girls-

-  Be sure you tell a friend or a sibling of the date, where you are going to meet and when you estimate you will return home. Just in case…

- Be a lady. Don’t be too flirty and on the other hand don’t be a snob. Bee yourself.

On the way to love…

*    Don’t reject someone solely on a bad profile picture.

*    Let the man lead the first date. He should pick you up, choose a place and of course pay.

*    All five senses should be pleased- if sound and smell are pleased, than taste and touch will follow

*    Talk and laugh about sex without being rude or vulgar

*    Don’t count on him/her changing.  There is no need t o insist on something that is not right

*    Don’t be your partner’s therapist

*    Unresolved sexual issue can lead to low self esteem and ultimately breakup. Try solving those before you engage with someone.

What Men Want?

Sick of not knowing why he doesn’t call you after the first date? Or why he’s just not that into you?

Here are few tips to help you get him to really like you:

• Be interested in what he has to say, even if all he talks about is work, his buddies, his childhood or even his family. It wouldn’t kill you to at least pretend that you are listening.
• Emphasize your personality, not your femininity. During a date let him know that you are interesting and that you are able to maintain a conversation about many subjects and not only about yourself. You would have plenty of time to show off your femininity- don’t worry.
• Don’t criticize him. It is the last thing he want to hear from you on your first dates.
• Don’t be easy. Men enjoy the chase, why ruin their fun?

How do I look? Choosing your profile picture for online social dating platforms

We are all looking for that special someone who’d listen to us, hear us, and make us laugh when we are down. But if he/she doesn’t have an attractive picture on their profile we would not even consider them us a potential date. Your picture is the door to your world – choose it wisely.

When you go at choosing a profile picture for any online dating platform you must make sure that it portrays you the best way possible. A good picture is one that reflects not only your outer “package” but also your inner personality. A perky and energetic person would not want to be portrayed as too serious or “heavy”, whereas a perky picture of a serious personality would not reflect reality.

Don’t be mistaken, we do not encourage a natural picture: a picture of you first thing in the morning would probably not flatter you as much. We do however encourage a planned-out, pre-staged “natural” picture.

A perfect picture entails wearing your most flattering clothes (even if it is jeans and t-shirt), putting on some make-up (only for women!) and doing your hair. Remember, social online dating is like going out with friends. Dress up for your picture just as if you were going out.

When you feel pretty enough, go somewhere you feel comfortable at with a friend and a good camera. Let them take quite a few pictures of you: smiling, serious, standing up, sitting down, torso photos and full length photos. When done, go home and filter the best photos of you. Consult with your friends and family if needed. Then, add two or three photos to your dating profile. Always add more than one, so that others can see you in more than one position.

If you are looking for a serious relationship, try not to use pictures of you in a bikini or without a shirt on. They might flatter your figure, but keep in mind that you might be reflecting something that you are not interested in.

Today the online dating world is divided into dating sites and dating applications (on social networks). Online sites let you add a picture of your own choice, whereas dating applications on social networks, like Facebook, tend to use your network’s profile picture as your picture in the application. That leaves us with the immanent conclusion that you must only publish your best pictures.

10 don’ts when creating a dating profile

Now that you know what social dating is and you have found the dating platform that is right for you; it is time to create your own personal profile. When creating a profile in an online dating application, one should refrain from few common mistakes.

We hereby present to you a list of definite no-nos when it comes to creating a dating profile:

1. List of interests:

We all have a list of our favorite this to do. Go ahead make note of them, but don’t overdo it. A list of 4-5 items will do. No one is interested in your life’s story.

2. List of demands:

When asked to list what you are looking for in a potential partner, be gentle. No one likes a picky person. Do know that it is OK to have a list of all the things that you consider a “must” in a partner. But when it comes to publishing them, name only the 2-3 most important things to you. The rest of your list will be checked out as you get to know someone.

3. Lying:

People hate liars. Many people lie about their age, status, job, etc. Other than an irreversible bad impression, lying scars both partners. So don’t lie, be yourself, someone would surely love you for that.

4. Too much information:

In continuance to the above mentioned “don’ts”, this is a general don’t: don’t over share! Leave your future partner the possibility to find out more about you, in person. Don’t reveal all in your profile. Mystery is a great aphrodisiac; let it play its role.

5. Bragging:

You are not all that! And even if you are, let someone else say that about you. Avoid superlatives like “awesome” and “hot”.

6. Generic phrases:

Avoid writing generic phrases like “I love long walks on the beach” and “candle-light dinner”. They don’t imply on anything special on yourself and will only make you come across as boring. Mention things you really like and elaborate on that.

7. Don’t be a loser:

Avoid using sentences that describe you as “incapable”:

“I’ve had it of being alone” – Those are desperate words and can only attract manipulations.

“I’m not any good at those things” – Not many people think they are, there is no point of mentioning it.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this..” – Well, you are. Get over it!

8. Negativity:

Negative people are not fun to be around. Write about things you like and enjoy. It is easier to connect to people who are positive and content about life.

9. Criticizing the ex:

We have all been in past relationships, which the best part about them is that they belong to the past!

Don’t write nasty things about your ex; it will make people wonder if you’ll do the same to them.

10. Don’t be a sesquipedalian

Translation: Don’t use big words.

No one will understand you, and that’s the whole point isn’t it?

What is Social Dating?

Social dating is what happens when online dating and social networks come together.

Let’s say you walk into a party where you don’t know anybody… that’s online dating. You want to get to know someone that you find attractive but you are confined to your own openness of character. That for itself is great, if you are easy and outgoing. But what if you are not? What if you’re the shy kind or what if you just don’t know how to initiate an engagement with the other sex? What if all you need is to feel comfortable?

Than social dating must be the thing for you. There, you are accompanied by your friends with their lead and support. They provide you the comfort zone that you need and the connections that you don’t have. But don’t you worry; you do the same for them.

Today, social networks let you access circles of friends that in reality, you wouldn’t have known even existed. It makes interaction more interesting and much more fun. With Facebook having more than 400 million daily users, you potentially have access to almost 6% of the world’s population. That makes A LOT of potential relationships!

The concept of social dating is not new; it is merely the outcome of the technical revolution of the last decade and the growing popularity of social networks that permit us to manage our traditional connections with other people in an online platform. Traditionally, people met by chance in all sort of occasion. Today, we have grown accustomed to meeting people online regardless of their social expectations.

Social dating can be done through specialized sites and applications or simply through your friend’s friends-list. To get started all you have to do is to find a dating application that suits you best and join it alone or with your friends. This way, you can consult with your friends concerning a certain someone or even ask them to introduce him/her to you. Another way to go at it is to tell your friends that you are looking for a special someone and ask them to refer you to someone from their friends-list they think is suitable for you. The worse thing that can happen is that you’ll have another friend in your list.

Good Luck!