IT’S ALMOST VALENTINE’S Day and you’re single and ready to mingle! You’re Tindering until the cows come home, speed dating, online dating and just generally putting yourself out there.
Dating is actually quite hard work and there are definitely some fruit and nuts out there, but that’s just what you’re letting yourself in for on the eclectic dating scene. You could compare dating to a lucky dip – you just don’t know what you’re going to get out of it. The key is to have a pipeline of men/women because you don’t want to put all your chickens in one basket – so if it’s not happening on date one, be honest, delete them and move on.
The problem with dating is that there are too many options and too much choice. When did dating become so complicated? With Tinder, online dating and speed dating, there is too much focus placed on looks rather than getting to know a person. Obviously you need to be attracted to the other person initially, but if they are unable to mentally stimulate you after the first date then that’s a no-go. Looks will only get you so far; they’ll quickly fade if the lights are on but nobody’s home.
Eat well – but don’t drink too much!
Adrenalin kicks in when you’re on a date and so does the thirst for an alcoholic beverage. Know the one that’s ‘one too many’ – four glasses of wine is a bottle, for example. If you don’t watch the consumption, this may lead to the loss of memory and perhaps your dignity at times.
Eat something substantial before you head on the date, it will prevent that first glass of wine from going to your head and also eliminate you eating like an animal if you head to a restaurant. If you’re going for a meal on the first date, make sure it’s not Thai or Chinese (one word: chopsticks). You just can’t look attractive slurping back noodles – and the same goes for tucking into a burger. Going to the cinema on a first date is also not advised; sitting in silence in the dark for two hours listening to people munching is not the most exciting or effective way to get to know a person.
The issue with meeting someone on Tinder or Online or at speed dating is that you can’t guarantee that they’re not seeing three other people at the same time. But it’s also not really any of your business because you knew what you were signing up for and it will only bother you if you start to like the person. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you’re the only one they’re seeing because, most of the time, you’re not.
Basically you want to be their steak, you don’t want to be a leafy, limp side-salad when you’re dating someone. Be the steak. If you act like a salad, they’ll treat you like one. Continue reading…