It's challenging enough to meet someone in real life, let alone to try to find them in the abyss of the World Wide Web! Today more than ever, online dating is the most common way to meet potential mates. Online dating can put a small dent in your pocket, but it costs less than going to a bar a few nights a week waiting for Mr. or Miss right to walk in while you throw down yet another shot of Patron. Dating would be way simpler with a rulebook, but unfortunately, we couldn't find one appropriate for this century. So we came up with our top ten suggestions of Do's and Do Not's of online dating.
1. DO have fun! Remember that dating is supposed to be a good time and not a chore. Pick activities or places that make you happy so you can relax and laugh. It's always easier to break the ice with something cool to do. Even if you both can't ice skate or bowl, at least you can bond while you fall on the floor or strike out.
2. DON'T assume that the other person's photo is as accurate as yours. Once, we made a date with someone whose dating head-shot looked attractive, but upon meeting him, he could have passed as our 65 year old, balding, pudgy Uncle Morty who pulls coins from our ear.
3. DO make your dating head-shot and profile accurate and fun to reflect your personality. Be positive in your profile. Even if you just lost your job or you had a fight with your best friend, don't tell your date. A bad outlook can destroy a potential date faster than you can say, "I have an STD."
4. DON'T be desperate. Even if you are totally ready for marriage and kids, coming on strong is a sure date killer. While it's important to know what you want and to be on the same page, don't answer the door in a wedding dress. In fact, don't even talk about weddings until the third month of dating. Yes, third month, not third date.
5. DON'T lie. If the date stunk and the person isn't for you, tell them NICELY in a follow up e-mail. You don't have to tell them you think they're the most boring person on earth and you wouldn't go out with them again even if your life depended on it. Instead, thank them for their time and say you just don't think it's a match.
6. DON'T cyber-stalk someone. Don't text or email more than once after a date. Meet that person with the same energy they are giving you. If them e-mail you through the dating website you're using then return the e-mail through the same site. If they move on to your private e-mail, them return the message to their private e-mail and so on. Don't text if they're e-mailing and DON'T call if they're texting, etc...
7. Don't get drunk on your date; it's not cute or sexy. Practice some self-control.
8. DO learn the language of dating profiles: Cuddly = Chubby, Fun Loving= Player, Travels a Lot for Work = married with kids.
9. DO move the conversation along from email to text to phone calls as quickly as possible. Some people are better writers than others. On a phone call you'll get a better sense of who the person is and if you'll get along. Plus, you'll find out if you like the sound of their voice.
10. Don't give out too much personal information during your first few e-mail exchanges. Make sure to meet your dates in a public place and keep your contact information confidential until you know your date's middle name, at least one child hood story and where his mother grew up. It's best to wait on sharing personal info until the second date. Taking things slowly can pay off in the long run. Just ask yourself how all those times you rushed things have worked out for you? - 15615
1. DO have fun! Remember that dating is supposed to be a good time and not a chore. Pick activities or places that make you happy so you can relax and laugh. It's always easier to break the ice with something cool to do. Even if you both can't ice skate or bowl, at least you can bond while you fall on the floor or strike out.
2. DON'T assume that the other person's photo is as accurate as yours. Once, we made a date with someone whose dating head-shot looked attractive, but upon meeting him, he could have passed as our 65 year old, balding, pudgy Uncle Morty who pulls coins from our ear.
3. DO make your dating head-shot and profile accurate and fun to reflect your personality. Be positive in your profile. Even if you just lost your job or you had a fight with your best friend, don't tell your date. A bad outlook can destroy a potential date faster than you can say, "I have an STD."
4. DON'T be desperate. Even if you are totally ready for marriage and kids, coming on strong is a sure date killer. While it's important to know what you want and to be on the same page, don't answer the door in a wedding dress. In fact, don't even talk about weddings until the third month of dating. Yes, third month, not third date.
5. DON'T lie. If the date stunk and the person isn't for you, tell them NICELY in a follow up e-mail. You don't have to tell them you think they're the most boring person on earth and you wouldn't go out with them again even if your life depended on it. Instead, thank them for their time and say you just don't think it's a match.
6. DON'T cyber-stalk someone. Don't text or email more than once after a date. Meet that person with the same energy they are giving you. If them e-mail you through the dating website you're using then return the e-mail through the same site. If they move on to your private e-mail, them return the message to their private e-mail and so on. Don't text if they're e-mailing and DON'T call if they're texting, etc...
7. Don't get drunk on your date; it's not cute or sexy. Practice some self-control.
8. DO learn the language of dating profiles: Cuddly = Chubby, Fun Loving= Player, Travels a Lot for Work = married with kids.
9. DO move the conversation along from email to text to phone calls as quickly as possible. Some people are better writers than others. On a phone call you'll get a better sense of who the person is and if you'll get along. Plus, you'll find out if you like the sound of their voice.
10. Don't give out too much personal information during your first few e-mail exchanges. Make sure to meet your dates in a public place and keep your contact information confidential until you know your date's middle name, at least one child hood story and where his mother grew up. It's best to wait on sharing personal info until the second date. Taking things slowly can pay off in the long run. Just ask yourself how all those times you rushed things have worked out for you? - 15615
