Tired of dating disasters and bad experiences? Look no further. I’m here to help! As someone who’s been on my fair share of dates, I’ve learned a lot about what to do and what not to do in the dating world.
Here I’ll be sharing my personal insights on the dating do’s and don’ts. So get comfortable, grab a notebook and let’s dive into the world of successful dating together!
Dating Do’s
1. Be yourself
Authenticity is key. Don’t try to win someone over by pretending to be something you’re not. Finding the right person for you means finding someone who likes and accepts you for the real, true version of yourself!
2. Embrace the experience
Dating is meant to be enjoyed, so take it as an opportunity for exploration and pleasure. Don’t overthink it or make your date feel like you’re grilling them with questions or using them as a sounding board.
3. Go on a date with someone you are genuinely drawn towards
We all have our preferences and that is fine, but if your heart isn’t in it, then it’s not worth the effort. Respect yourself enough to pursue people who make you feel something special!
4. Be sincere
Honesty is the most beneficial approach when it comes to dating. It’s much better to be truthful with your emotions so that any misinterpretation can be avoided in the future.
5. Make sure you show up on time
Being punctual communicates that you’re engaged and interested in the date while being late sends quite the opposite message. Plus, it’s a great chance to make an amazing first impression!
6. Dress to impress
Show your date you mean business and put together an outfit that’ll make heads turn. Going too overboard can be intimidating, so strike the perfect balance between comfy confidence – ’cause nobody wants an uncomfortable night on the town!
7. Ask insightful questions
Ask questions, listen intently to the answers, and offer up your own thoughts and feelings. Conversation is like a two-way street: you want to keep it moving, back ‘n’ forth, so that your date feels just as engaged in the give and take. It might hardly feel like you’re doing anything… but trust us, simply by asking sensible questions and then hearing out their answers, you’ll build rapport on an emotional level. Not sure what to ask? Check out our list of interesting questions to ask a guy.
8. Be respectful and considerate
No one wants to be with someone who is rude or disrespectful. Not only should you be courteous to your date, but also extend courtesy and respect towards any restaurant staff or other industry professionals that you may encounter. Showing a little respect goes a long way!
9. Do make eye contact
Eye contact shows your date that you’re truly listening and engaged in the conversation – it’s a key part of effective communication. But don’t just stare at them – be sure to blink, smile, and make small gestures like nodding your head while they’re talking. This will show that you’re interested and attentive to what they are saying.
10. Pay attention to any red flags
If you’re on a date and they’re already negative or judgemental, that’s a red flag and a sign that things might not work out.
Be aware of how your date is behaving and gauge if they are someone you potentially see yourself having a future with.
Try to look for signs of respect and understanding. Making sure they are a good listener and that they truly care about what you have to say is essential. Don’t be afraid to cut your losses if the date isn’t going well.
Dating Don’ts
1. Talk about exes
When it comes to conversations with your new partner, discuss the present and leave talks of exes until much later in the relationship. Mentioning previous partners may be tempting but often results in an uncomfortable atmosphere as well as a lack of trust. Keep discussion on current topics for now and avoid revisiting romantic history.
2. Feel pressured
Don’t go on a date with unrealistic expectations about how it will turn out or what your relationship might become. Enjoy the moment and get to know your potential partner, allowing whatever might happen to take its natural course.
3. Talk about money
It’s too sensitive early in the getting-to-know-each-other process, so why not try something else instead? Find out all about your date’s recent travels, their future goals, and all the wild stories they can tell. Tap into an interesting conversation and save the financial chat for down the line.
4. Expect perfection
Don’t expect your date to be flawless, as nobody is! Instead, appreciate each other’s quirks and enjoy the imperfectly perfect date. After all, it’s these little idiosyncrasies that make us special so why not revel in them while having a good time?
5. Get too drunk
Have one, two, or even three drinks if you need to relax on the first date—this might mentally trick you into believing you’re on a fifth date—however, it’s a major faux pas to get too tipsy. Plus it won’t help that killer conversation you need to deliver in order to ensure that this will be remembered as an enjoyable evening and maintained as the start of something beautiful!
6. Brag about yourself too much
It’s okay to talk about your accomplishments, but don’t make it the focus of the conversation. No one likes a boastful person.
7. Refrain from obsessively checking your phone
Constantly being on your phone shows that you are not emotionally invested in the date, and it is simply impolite.
8. Bring up controversial topics like politics or religion
Unless you want your conversation to go from 0-60 in 3 seconds flat – it’s best to avoid hot topics. Keep things light-hearted for a guaranteed pleasant evening!
9. Ghost your date
If you’re not interested in seeing your date again, it’s important to communicate that to them directly rather than ghosting them. It may be uncomfortable, but it’s the respectful thing to do.
10. Give away too much about yourself
Keep your personal information private until you get to know your date better. It’s essential that you safeguard your privacy and maintain a level of comfort with them before divulging any intimate details about yourself.
11. Let physical attraction cloud your judgment
At the end of the day, chemistry and compatibility matter more than looks – so make sure to keep an open mind while dating!
The do’s and don’ts of dating can seem intimidating, but they’re really just common sense and good manners. As long as you’re respectful, considerate, and genuine, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and enjoyable date. So, go out there and have fun! And if you happen to break any of them, no worries – we won’t tell anyone!
