Dating

Online Dating Tips and Meeting in Person

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Christian Singles

The world of online dating is exploding like never before and there are more relationships starting over the Internet than ever. There are people meeting online right now and laying the groundwork necessary to establish a connection that could grow into something else. It’s important to stay focused if true love is your ultimate goal because there are a lot of distractions when it comes to online dating. But if you remember to take things slow, and you have a healthy perspective about the situation you could find yourself meeting someone in real life in no time. And when that moment comes you could be filled with stress and anxiety, but it can be incredibly thrilling at the same time. Here are some basic online dating tips for when you finally get to meet that special person in real life.

Take things slowly – even if you have been e-mailing back and forth for quite some time it’s important to understand that an online persona is often different than what a person is in real life. When a person is online, they can be a bit braver than they usually are, or they might fudge the facts a little bit when it comes to certain details. You also have to consider that you might have built them up into something different entirely, and a lot of what you know about them actually comes from your own head. This is not to say the date is going to be some surprising disaster, but you have to be realistic about the situation as well.

Remember it’s just a date – even if you have started a relationship online, once you agree to meet in person it pretty much turns into a regular dating situation. That means that first date tips apply, and in many aspects you are starting from zero. You still have to worry about making a great first impression and that’s usually done by showing up on time, dressing well for the occasion, and being on your best behavior. Remember, you can’t rely on Internet websites to do all of the work for you. Once you are face-to-face then you have to kick into real-life date mode and be on your game if you want to establish any type of chemistry.

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How to Choose Good Plenty of Fish Profile Pictures

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Christian Singles

If you’ve ever delved into the wonderful world of online dating then you are probably well aware that putting up good pictures on your dating profile is about eighty percent of the battle. This concept of having strong visual attraction on one’s profile is especially true for free dating sites like Plenty of Fish. The reasons for this is that with a greater number of users, which is the case for free versus paid dating sites, then the quicker the other users will scan through the vast sea of profiles, typically only stopping at the one’s with attractive profile pictures. It’s true what they say, first impressions make a big difference.

So what’s a person to do when faced with a multitude of Plenty of Fish profile picture choices? Here’s a few tips that will should help in whittling down your dating images.

  1. Be sure to have at least one clear head shot and one full body shot. There’s no reason to deceive people and having clear pictures that show your face in a good lighting and the profile of your body gives people the assurance of what you look like without having to be skeptical.
  2. Don’t use any pictures where you have been drinking alcohol or are clearly doing something while drunk. These pictures may be funny but you don’t want anyone to get the image that you are a booze bag who can’t control him or herself.
  3. Try to avoid the “cell phone in the mirror” picture.  This tends to come off as lazy and typically results in terribly unclear images of yourself, ones that will not do you any justice.  And by all means, if you are a guy, keep your shirt on.  Nothing makes a guy look more like a douche than flexing his biceps in his bathroom mirror.

As with any online dating profile on Plenty of Fish, the more time you take to get your best pictures up, the more success will have with the rest of your efforts.

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The Antidote To Valentine’s Day

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Christian Singles

If you’re still paying for Christmas then you’ll be overjoyed to be reminded that Valentine’s Day is almost here. And that marketing event ain’t cheap neither, the average American spends $160 on gifts for their partners and family, not a whole lot less than Christmas.

You could try to do things on the cheap, yeah, right, if you fancy being single on the fifteenth! However, you could do things that will keep the costs down by stealth, making a card yourself rather than sending an overprices tacky missive from a high street stationer says that you’re thinking of her; baking a cake instead of buying one off the supermarket shelf says you like to do things for him.

You can dip your own strawberries in melted chocolate, that often leads to other things and it’s cheaper than a huge box of chocolates that you present her with only to be accused of “trying to make her fat.”

How about taking care of business yourself with a home vajazzling kit? That’s an awesome surprise and much cheaper than getting it done professionally.

If you’re single at the moment then you’re probably sick of it all before it’s even begun, going out this weekend is going to be a chore with all those smug couples staring longingly into one another’s eyes, smooch induced nausea! So, if you don’t feel you’d be responsible for your own actions out on the streets then how about holding your own anti-Valentines day party? Make it themed and it could be a scream.

How about a Gangsters and Molls themed cocktail party? Or invite a few of your single crew over and have a night of slasher movies and beer? You could invite everyone over and indulge in a bit of speed hating. Speed dating’s been done to death, speed hating involves getting together and having a really good moan about your job, the government, taxes, you get it, just rag on everything that’s getting you ripping for a few hours.

If you’re a single girl and you’re not looking to get tied down then how about treating yourself to a day of mani pedis and massage? Get a facial and a new ‘do. Do it for yourself sister!

If you’re a single guy you might like a mani pedi and massage but how about sending a card to your dear old mum, tell her how much you appreciate her and that you love her dearly. She might think you’ve flipped but it’s good to tell her every now and again, no matter how old you’re getting.

Another thing a guy might do is send flowers to one of his single lady friends. I don’t mean all creepy weird stalkery but just a few flowers (Not a single red rose!) to some-one who might appreciate the thought right about now. And you never know, she might have a sister…

Dan Cash will be sobbing bitter tears as he microwaves his romantic ready meal for one on Valentine’s Day.

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Valentines First Date Tips for Guys

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Christian Singles

That time of year is fast approaching that us singletons dread – Valentines Day. Every year on the 14th of February love birds across the nation suddenly switch to some kind of altered state of sappiness and any respect you once had for them flies out the window as they turn their attentions to writing slushy, clichéd, poetry in cards the size of a small bungalow in the shape of a fluffy teddy bear. OK, maybe I’m a tad bitter, at least I used to be until I found a sure fire way of landing that hot date on Valentines Day that means you’re not stuck indoors on your own like the proverbial lemon.

Snaring the Date

The first stage is getting a date, even if you hate dates and have had bad experiences in the past, it’s better to at least make an attempt than be stuck indoors watching Emmerdale farm while your buddies gaze lovingly across a candlelit table into the eyes of their partners. So how do win a date with a hot chick?

First, rest assured that the majority of single women are feeling the same sort of anxieties as you as valentines day approaches, they don’t want to be on their own while their friends are off having fun. But how you find these single women? The best avenue for finding a potential date I’ve found is through friends, one of your friends or even friend of friends is bound to know a girl in the same situation as you.

Arrange to all go out as a group and get your friends to introduce you to each other on what is essentially neutral ground, take it from here. By all means utilize a touch of Dutch courage if you need to but don’t go overboard and make a total fool of yourself.

If meeting someone in real life simply isn’t an option, use the tried and tested medium of the internet. Looking for love online is no longer a taboo, whether it be through Facebook or a specialist dating site. In fact most of my friends who have girlfriends met them through Facebook.

The Date Itself

OK so you’ve managed to convince an unwitting female to go on a date with you, so how do you get through those desperately awkward first few hours unscathed? It’s true that dates can be initially uncomfortable, but your role, as the guy is to try and break that ice and make you both feel relaxed.

Even if you already know your date, seeing each other in a romantic capacity can make it feel like it’s the first time you’ve met, If this is the case talk about the past and memorable experiences that you’ve shared, or mutual friends that you have, this will help create a bond early on.

If indeed you are seeing your date for the first time ever then things may be a little more tricky. Remember to ask her questions about herself, this will show that you are interested in her as a person and want to get to know her. If you are nervous, don’t show it, a lack of confidence is a big turn off for women, simply act confident and you will come across with vigor and bravado.

In terms of location, pick a venue that is fairly quiet and unlikely to intrude on your conversation, i.e. not the cinema! A restaurant may be an obvious choice but there is a reason, it provides the ideal setting for you to get know each other and relax without too many distractions.

Saying Goodbye… Or not

Ending the date can be a stumbling block for so many guys. The trick is not to go into all guns blazing, make sure she gets home safely and walk her to the door. There is no real script to follow here, you should know if she is into or not by the visual signals she is giving off. Here’s a hint, if she turns her back on you and heads straight into the door, don’t go in for the kiss, the date hasn’t gone well!

Joe is an online dating guru currently working for a personal car leasing firm.

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Conversations for the Second Date

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Christian Singles

The second date is a critical time in any new relationship. The first date may not have involved much talking and chances are you did not get to know each other as much as you would have liked. For the relationship to progress, there are questions that should be asked to help you figure out what type of future you may have with this person.

Find out what are the person’s interests. There may be some common ground that you both share and this can serve as a foundation to build on the relationship. You may speak on your likes and dislikes on many topics and find his/her opinion on these subjects. There are many things to talk about, just choose one and learn what the other person thinks about it. These may include questions such as what do you like to do in your spare time or do you like to watch sports.

You may also ask questions about the person’s past. When treading on this territory, exercise special care in the delivery of your inquiries. Certain discussions may bring up hurtful memories from the past. Focus on happy themes and the person’s favorite foods that he/she enjoyed eating while growing up. This will lighten the mood and allow you to become better acquainted with your date.

As you continue conversing, it is very important to raise the subject of what your partner looks for in a relationship. This will provide you with a window to your date’s soul and showcase the qualities that characterize that person.

At this point, you may delve into the personal beliefs of your date. This will give you an idea as to who you are dating. Ask the person about life changing moments and its impact on his/her life.

Having discussions about the person’s future is another ideal topic to raise during your second encounter. The fact that there is a second date indicates that the potential exists for an ongoing relationship. Their future plans will be a good way to test your compatibility. Stay away from questions such as when he/she would like to get married or how many kids he/she wants to have. Chat about each other’s dreams, goals and aspirations. You do not want to scare your date away with too many intrusive questions. Bear in mind that it is only a second date, so keep your dialogue limited to more introspective topics.

When going out with a person for the second time, such an encounter should not be primarily about interrogation. Your date should not face a barrage of questions. Instead he/she should be engaged in active, stimulating conversation that will eventually answer all your questions. The discussion should feel natural and be engaging. Look your date in the eyes when he/she is responding. This shows your interest in the dialogue. Maintaining a relaxed and balanced state of mind will grant you a successful second date. Once everything goes well, there will be many more dates in the future.

Haliyma Barrow holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and a minor in journalism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Public Administration from New York University. Barrow regularly contributes articles at online writing sites such as EduBook, EzineArticles and Screen Junkies, with focus on dating related topics.

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Getting Started In Online Dating: Finding a Site and Starting a Profile

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Christian Singles

It’s normal to feel a little nervous when you first decide to turn on your computer and enter the world of online dating. However, speaking from positive experience, I can assure you there’s really no reason to worry. Online dating can be an extremely enjoyable experience and there are thousands of loving relationships out there whose happy first meetings occurred online.

Image credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/buenosaurus/402295188/

My girlfriend and I have been dating for five months and found each other online. The chemistry was there before we met in the flesh, so please be positive when you build your profile and start online dating, you need to really put your character across to entice the other person to open up and share their personality and feelings.

If you’re reading this then you may already have started an online dating profile, signed up to a site or have a strong interest in doing so. That’s good as the first step is the hardest. Be honest when filling out your profile, you want them to like the real you, and make sure you join the right site or section. If you’re looking for long term commitment then obviously a ‘quick fling’ site or section simply isn’t for you. Conduct some research, get a feel for the sites you like, write down your personal details and what it is you are looking for and start that profile.

Preparation is key when creating your profile. This will effectively be your online presence until you start chatting with other site users. Unlike a bar or nightclub, there’s no distracting noise or annoying hustle bustle, your profile can receive the full consideration of others and you can return the compliment. Choose a great picture, include the special details which make you who you are and you’ll be well on your way to online dating success.

Try to be different and stand out too. Get creative, you could write it in the form of a story (be careful with this one) or a poem (obe EXTRA careful with this one). Above all try to keep it light and interesting. Chances are, no-one wants to hear about your political or religious views just yet unless you’re on a niche dating site. Be funny and playful, remembering that someone on the other end of this has to read it. Try to make it as fun for them as possible.

Making a huge effort with your profile is vital as this is how you put yourself out there to catch the eye (and maybe the heart) of another online dater. Good luck with this first step toward finding the special person of your dreams!

This article was written by Megan Hughes from WeLoveDates online dating – for more of her writing check out the WeLoveDates blog.

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