Dating Advice

Dating advice is abundant: it’s on the Internet, in magazines, books, newspapers and on the TV. Dating advice is so easy to give that an eight-year-old even wrote a book about it. (That child is intelligent and ought to be sought after by the girls, because while fundamental, all of his dating advice is true. If you have read the book, you would be forced to admit that that eight-year-old child does know what he is proposing (no pun intended): that is to keep everything straightforward. And that it in a nutshell when it comes to dating, keep things simple.

Leave your past behind you. It’ll only get you bogged down. The first thing any dating-counsellor would advise you is that a fresh start is important for a date to go well. Talking to your date about how your ex mistreated you is definitely not the way forward. Sometimes it isn’t even necessary to talk, and a person who has been hurt once may be over suspicious of any new relationship and this could show in their attitude toward their date.

‘Just be yourself’ is probably the best dating advice possible. Sure, people like to show themselves in the best possible light and impress their date, but if they are not behaving their usual selves, not only will they feel uneasy, but their date will pick up on the uneasiness too.

Not to expect too much (nor too little) is also good dating advice. If you expect too much from one date or from te person you are dating, it is highly likely that you will be discouraged by the results. After all, your date is only human too and first dates are generally at least slightly awkward.

One of the most frequently asked questions is: who foots the bill? The consensus in dating advice is that he/she who suggested the date pays. However, other people declare that it’s better to go Dutch every time and avoid hassles. There is yet another school of thought on dating advice that suggests that the man is not a “gentleman” if he doesn’t pick up the tab. In the case of a difference of policy between you and your date, come to a compromise that is mutually acceptable.

Maybe texting your date before your meeting is also a sound idea as it puts him or her at their ease and allows you to discuss interests or hobbies informally – in a less tense environment than a first date would be. This can help you choose a setting for the date that you would both enjoy.

At the end of the day, just bear in mind that, no matter how much dating advice you have under your belt, eventually, it is all up to you. No date is the last date, so if one doesn’t work out, don’t worry, there can be another one and if it still doesn’t work, there are always other people to meet.