Dating Dos & Don'ts

Whether you're freshly single or a long term lonely heart, our dating dos & dont's will help you land Mr. or Mrs. Right!

Dating can be a pretty tricky game, especially if you're a little out of practice. So we've compiled our top 10 dos and dont's for 21st century dating.

Do

Do give your date a fair chance – Ok so they might not be your usual type but why’s that a bad thing? Just because your date doesn’t have the usual qualities you’d go for doesn’t mean that they won’t surprise you.

Do keep your conversation light-hearted, funny and intriguing - If you haven't laughed at all during your date, then chances are, things are going terribly wrong.

Do let your date know if you want to see them again – It’s a bit of a common misconception that ‘treating them mean, keeps them keen’ if you go on a date and don’t hear from them for days, they’re not normally going to be best pleased, so here’s a novel thought, why not be upfront and just say “I’d like to see you again”?

Do limit your expectations - It’s ok to get excited before you go out with someone new, but stay realistic. If your expectations are low, then a good date will be a welcome surprise and a bad date won’t be a big deal.

Do make eye contact - Talking to your date while you're looking around the room can be a real turn off. Not only does eye contact show you’re engaged with what your date is saying, but it can also increase sexual chemistry between you.

Don't

Don’t drink too much – it’s ok to have one or two glasses to calm your nerves but it’s always best to keep your alcohol intake to a minimum. You want to come across as cool, calm and collected not a bumbling drunk.

Don’t give up too fast – Sometimes sexual chemistry is a bit of slow burner, so don’t worry if it takes a couple of dates to strike up a physical or an emotional spark between you both. After all this is real life and not a rom-com, so it might be a bit much to expect mind blowing fireworks after your first kiss.    

Don’t talk about your exes – would you really want to hear all about your dates past relationships? No, didn’t think so. So make sure you stick to this rule yourself, there’s no greater turn-off then realising your date might not be totally over their ex.  

Don’t text at the table –updating your Facebook status can wait!

Don’t try to add your love interest as a friend on social networking sites after the first date – think it through before you go sending that friends request, you don’t want to come across as overly keen and look like you’re wanting to snoop around on your dates profile.