But isn’t is better to be wild and unshackled with your love life? Don’t settle for the norm, and heed our advice for surprise on a first date, getting his or her chest fluttering with what’s to come…

1. Do a ‘people snapping’ exercise

Maybe try this at least midway through the date, so you’ve gotten to know each other as rational, sane individuals. Then, when you’re getting along, suggest that you play an upgrade of the ‘people watching’ sport… This time, however, it involves a smartphone and plenty of sneakiness.

Like two urban ninjas, dot around a crowd, taking turns to photograph people you think are interesting, bonkers or have a story to share. The first of you to bottle out is the loser. It’s a great test for how willing you are to let reservations slide in one another’s company; furthermore, it’s (kinda, sorta) exercise, which is always a good dating boon!

2. Claim a fake restaurant booking

With some finely-tuned charm, you can pretend that you’ve gone for the worst date location in history, before unveiling your real choice just a little further down the road.

Say to the dater that you’ve booked a place at “this high class eatery, somewhere in town, you’ll really like it!”. The locale, as it happens, could be a greasy spoon café, or a pub chain. Ignore your date’s concerned face as you walk through the door – as you’re sitting down, and pretending to admire the menu, act like you’ve dropped something. “Oh, what’s this…” And emerge with two theatre tickets in hand, along with a booking for a fine restaurant somewhere nearby.

3. Prepare a list of hypothetical questions

Obviously, let your brain wander to wherever it wants to go, in the moment, for this sort of dialogue. It’s actually one of the best ways to first message someone online, in addition to the date itself. Hypothetically, your partner can show what they’re made of, by answering questions they’ve never even thought of before…

Try and get a nice split between the banal and bizarre. So for instance, “Would you rather go to a party with Ernest Hemingway, or a football match with Brad Pitt?” could be trailed by “What would be the last cheese on earth you’d ever eat?” Query by query, you’ll laugh, connect, and discover what you’re into. If he\she thinks you’re insane, then all the better for it. Eventually, the real question can be launched: “Do you want to do this again sometime?”

A first date, by all accounts, can be nerve-jangling – that’s why it’s useful to surprise yourself, as much as the dater, with behaviour that’ll keep the mood bright and exhilarating. Sign up for FreeAndSingle, and read our guide to a-typical dating messages before you put your ‘quirky’ hat on… It has to fit first, wouldn’t you agree?

The post Lovestruck: 3 Ways To Be Unexpected On A First Date appeared first on The FreeAndSingle Blog.

Here are a few tips on how to spice up your message game and provoke a higher number of responses from other online daters.

Avoid the one-word bore stories

“Hey” and “Hi” are warm, friendly greetings in person, but in the digital world, they’ve quickly become associated with tedium and laziness. The one-word bore story rarely elicits a positive response from a match, but online daters continue to write it anyway – trapped by fear of saying something that makes them look foolish.

But playing it safe doesn’t get you dates. If you want to start a meaningful back and forth, you’re best off dumping the bog-standard salutations and stepping outside your comfort zone. Follow up your greeting with a question, say a bit more about yourself, or maybe even open with a joke.

Prove you’ve actually checked out their profile

Some online daters take the one-size-fits-all approach to messaging and fire over the same write-up to every single person. Millions of people use online dating platforms now, and questions like “How are you?” or “How’s your weekend been?” are ten a penny and all too familiar.

If you want to cut through the noise, prove to your potential match that you’ve actually taken the time to read their profile. For example, if they’ve written about starting a new job, you could ask them how they’re finding it so far and whether they’re enjoying the new career move.

Share common ground

When you’re trying to whip up a conversation with somebody on a dating site, there’re few better ways to encourage a response than by showing them you share some common ground.

If you eye a profile adorned in rock music references, for example, you could immediately address these in your first message – showing your mutual love for this genre and suggesting there could be an instant connection. If their profile pictures are populated by dogs, you could tell them a bit about your pet canine.

Ask for recommendations

We all like to feel like experts from time to time. That’s just the human way. If someone has “passionate festival go-er” or “complete bookworm” listed on their online dating profile, you can jumpstart a conversation by asking them for recommendations: “What’s the best festival you’ve been to? Looking for a good one to visit this summer!” or “Need a new book to read! Can you recommend a good one?”.

This will give them a big incentive to respond and give them the chance to prove they’re in the know about a particular subject. Whether you agree with their recommendation or not, it’s guaranteed to give you plenty to talk about!

Now you know how to mix messages up a bit, you’ll be able to give yourself the best possible chance of getting a great convo started and ultimately securing a date. Try out your new message technique on FreeAndSingle today. You can sign up right now for no charge and meet your match on our fantastic free dating site.

The post Are Your Online Dating Messages Too Predictable? appeared first on The FreeAndSingle Blog.

Faster, slicker, and packed to the rafters with all kinds of fresh features, the new app is something quite special and a product we’re particularly proud of. Dating on the go is about to get a whole lot better. Shall we take a closer look?

Delightfully user-friendly design

It’s incredibly easy to navigate your way around the new FreeAndSingle app, with the simple design putting all the important features in all the right places. Pressing the menu button reveals three key icons across the top – your messages, your likes, and your views.

In two taps from the load-up screen, you can see your love mail, the users who’ve sent you a playful nudge to indicate their interest, and daters who’ve snooped at your profile. There’s also the addition of the cool MeetLovelyMe feature, where you can flick through profiles quickly, swiping in a particular direction to like or decline.

Complete control of your notifications

Our app lets you get as much or as little info from the FreeAndSingle community as you like. You can choose to receive email notifications whenever someone views your profile, sends a message, likes you, or uploads a new photo. You can receive mail when a new member signs up too, with site update information also being sent straight to your inbox.

Push notifications for your mobile are also available, alerting you to profile views, messages and likes. This lets you see who’s interested immediately. All notifications can be switched on or off at any point, so you don’t have to worry about being bombarded at work!

Tweak your profile to perfection

The key to a sizzling online dating profile is frequent fine-tuning, and with our new app it’s quick and easy to perfect your page. In the My Photos section, for example, you can upload pictures directly from your phone’s image library, or take a snap there and then with the camera on your device.

You can also revamp your profile by adding or removing interests with a few simple taps, and the About Me section is ready for editing at any time. Fill out your bio to maximise your chances of online dating success!

Premium membership perks

If you’re a VIP at FreeAndSingle, you’ll also have the option of going incognito on the new app. This means you’ll be able to explore the whole site without revealing yourself as a viewer on other profiles.

Meanwhile, the Who’s Near Me section lets you see fellow daters in your current area. The perks of premium membership, eh?

It’s an exciting time to be a member at FreeAndSingle with the brand new mobile app. Download from the Apple Store today and you can have thousands of dating profiles at your fingertips every waking minute.

The post The New FreeAndSingle Mobile App Has Arrived appeared first on The FreeAndSingle Blog.

Rude, aggressive daters can sour your online dating experience and damage your confidence, so you need to know what to do if you receive an ill-mannered or malicious message. Thankfully, we’ve got a few tips on how to respond:

Be firm and honest

People would never usually ask you multiple questions in a row without giving you time to reply, nor would they make lewd, belligerent comments from the moment they clapped eyes on you. Unfortunately, there’s enough distance between users in the digital world to make certain people think it’s ok to behave this way.

The best way to react to intense messages is with a firm and honest reply like: “Please don’t send me messages like this. It makes me feel uncomfortable.” This clearly informs the user they are crossing a line, without kicking off a ping-pong match of insults. Some may be unaware their behaviour was inappropriate and will apologise immediately. Others will simply move along. If the messages persist, that’s when the next option might be useful…

Don’t be afraid to block

You can shoot yourself in the foot by being trigger happy with the block button (not every user deserves to be shunned for simply saying “hi”). However, you shouldn’t be afraid to use this feature whenever you’re feeling uncomfortable. It’s there for a reason, after all.

Blocking prevents a particular user from being able to view your profile or contact you in any way, which can be reassuring if you’ve recently received one too many messages. If someone can’t be reasoned with, don’t tolerate it any longer: get blocking.

Blow the whistle

Every community has its own village idiot – even the online dating world. You’re free to share as much or as little about yourself as you like when online dating, but unfortunately some people take advantage of this anonymity to cause a bit of a stir. This can range from sending cryptic messages, to more serious things like sexually explicit images. These people need reporting. That’s all there is to it.

You won’t be penalised in any way for flagging a user, and if all online daters respond to receiving nasty messages by alerting site security, the troublesome people can be dealt with and banned. Spammers and fake profiles should also be reported. We have a team working around the clock to deal with these fraudsters, and with your help we can eliminate them for good.

FreeAndSingle are dedicated to providing the very best online dating platform, building a fun-filled community with interesting people looking for love. Our users’ safety is our number one priority, and we keep members frequently updated with tips on how to enjoy their time online whilst remaining completely secure. Join the best free online dating site today and meet your perfect match without paying a penny.

The post How To Respond To Rude Or Aggressive Daters appeared first on The FreeAndSingle Blog.

And we’re seriously feeling the heat, as celebrity dating news arises once more, with all the sun-kissed titbits you’d expect! This time, there are identical shirts, mismatched ages, and a prominent lady going AWOL.

So if you’ve been dying for celeb pheromones to keep you going through June, let us tip the net out…

Announcing themselves in Style

Harry Styles is currently making good on his promise to become the most intriguing, subversive One Direction solo star. His music sounds like dad rock sieved through a VH1 best-of countdown, and he’s surprised us again, by hooking up with a girl who isn’t a giant on the entertainment scene.

Not that she’s a nobody entirely – as part of London’s clean-eating, fashionable ‘it’ crowd, Tess Ward has a ton of influence. She probably never imagined to be on the arm of pop royalty, though, until mutual pals introduced her to Styles early this year.

The two called a halt on the secrecy mid-May, when Ward was photographed with the exact same shirt that Harry was wearing a day or two earlier, as well as cooing happily next to him in a car. We hope their hair entangles and forms some sort of mega-attractive alien, which’ll get a cookbook deal overnight.

How to put Cheryl in Payne? Call out the age gap

Ahhh, Nick Grimshaw, how you sometimes do more than wear a shocking quiff… Anyone tuning into his BBC Radio 1 show a few weeks ago would’ve heard his sit-down with Liam Payne, the second ex-Directioner to grace our list. Yeah, sure, they talked about music, fame, and auditioning – but what really set our tongues twirling is his admittance that Cheryl Cole, his 10-years-senior partner, hates to discuss their respective ages.

“We don’t want to talk about that,” he said after Grimshaw tried to edge in a question about Cheryl being a judge on The X Factor when he was just 14. “She’s going to be really offended that you called me 12 by the way,” Liam added, jokingly, after a light taunt from his host.

Fit for a prince, but not his paramour

Who doesn’t dig Prince Harry? The furry fox made headlines early this year when his romance with Suits actress Meghan Markle was outed. It seems, though, that his extended family don’t count her as one of the crew quite yet.

For sister-in-law Pippa Middleton’s wedding, Harry was spotted on his own amidst the couples, flying solo through the ceremony. Reports have claimed that Pippa enforced a ‘no ring, no bring’ rule, leaving Markle in the hinterland of the extended family. Despite that, it’s not much of a setback: Harry and Meghan seem tight as can be, and we’re betting there’ll be more nuptials before the Queen can even lower her waving hand…

The celebrity dating news has been glorious this month, so stay on-board, celeb fans, for further flirty developments! Sign up for a free online dating account if you haven’t done so already – we want all of you to be superstars in your own love life.

Photo Credit: Kate Elizabeth

The post Celebrity Dating News: June appeared first on The FreeAndSingle Blog.

There’s no place for this sub-par experience. Dating sites are conspicuous, but some are better than others – let’s explain what we mean…

Extensive profile categories

The more we know about someone, the easier it is to stir their romantic chemistry with our own interests. Top dating sites are able to give a wide, thorough hit list of everything a user wants to talk about. If they like a specific thing, you can take it for conversational purposes, as an ice-breaker to your search.

Do they smoke? Are they into pets? What’s their perfect first date? You’ll want to investigate these (and other) points of interest before a chat gears up. There’s no point saying how much you hate rock music, for example, if ‘moshing and sweaty air guitar’ is on their list of fave things to do.

VIP features worth paying for

The top dating sites, in most cases, have ascending levels of privilege to climb if you have the cash to spare. For a small monthly sum, you get increased visibility, access to the location of fellow users, and/or a ‘check’ function so you can see who’s read your messages. All of this can go a long way to doubling or tripling your match potential.

However, the lower end of the online dating scale will offer VIP packages that are… well… superfluous, to say the least. They’ll give you tokens for ‘winks’ and ‘super likes’ that don’t really go anywhere to making you more of a hot prospect. Some don’t even allow you to talk to someone before you cough up the cash! That’s especially ludicrous, if you ask us – connection should be free to all.

Anti-scamming protection

It’s the biggest blight of searching for love online, and we’re sick to the back and front teeth of it. Scammers prey on our desire for care, support and physical contact. They’ll shamelessly fool you into sharing credit card info, or divulging things you rather you hadn’t. The top dating sites, whatever their creed, should work to weed them out of their accounts network.

The team behind FreeAndSingle do just that, as it happens. We’re partners with Scamalytics, a digital detection agency that can identify where a scammer is cropping up on our database. Dodgy profiles are put through intense scrutiny, so we can determine if they’re real. Oh yeah – we also check every first message, photo upload and bio line, so there’s the absolute lowest risk of being catfished.

Can you guess that we hit those other two points as well? If so, you’re bang on the money – FreeAndSingle is leading the top dating sites, in many respects, and you should see what the bandwagon’s all about! Sign up for a fab twist to your love life before another, less radiant site whispers in your ear…

The post What The Top Dating Sites Do Best, And Why You Should Care appeared first on The FreeAndSingle Blog.

A lot of people get needlessly worked up about the cost of a first meet-up, but it’s well worth knowing that you don’t have to splash the cash to dazzle your date.

The real secret to a successful date doesn’t have anything to do with being a spendthrift – it’s all about picking the right spot! To get you inspired, here are a few brilliant first date ideas on a shoestring.

A stroll in the country

If you know your date is fond of the outdoors, accompany them for a soothing stroll in the countryside. It’s a great way to create a romantic atmosphere.

There’re no daunting drink prices staring back at you from a bar menu, and no scary-looking food tabs. It’s just you and your date together, with plenty of time to talk and probe one another.

Homemade brunch

A beautiful brunch doesn’t have to bruise your bank balance. If you’ve got a knack for cooking or the ability to follow a recipe with confidence, you can save a bundle on your very first date by inviting your new friend round for a homemade meal.

There are tonnes of lip-smacking brunch ideas out there on the web. Most of them can be whipped up with ease for half the price of a restaurant dish. Remember, everyone likes someone who can cook….

Gaming and movie marathons 

An indoor date doesn’t have to be dull. In fact, if your partner has casually mentioned their favourite movie or a passion for gaming, you could have a terrific time together by simply sitting in front of the TV with a big bowl of homemade popcorn.

It won’t cost you a penny and you’ll already have brownie points in the bag for remembering their tastes, well before your relationship levels-up! 

Local events

You might be surprised at the wide range of events taking place in your local area – and a lot of them are likely to be free!

Scout the region to see what’s coming up and consider asking your date along to the next ‘happening’, be it a festival, market, or carnival. There’ll be plenty to look at and loads to talk about; often these local events function as the perfect icebreaker.

Hit the museum

Museums are very rarely expensive, but they almost always offer a hugely rewarding time. If you believe your date is something of a culture vulture, it might be worth suggesting a first meet at a museum in the local area. The exhibits will act as a catalyst for insight, guaranteeing a memorable time for a fee you won’t balk at.

You know what else doesn’t cost a penny? Yep – FreeAndSingle, one of the very best dating sites on the web. Sign up today and make your next dating opportunity a priceless affair!

The post First Date Ideas On A Shoestring appeared first on The FreeAndSingle Blog.

The same goes for you: it’s a sigh-worthy characteristic of modern romance, or what passes for it. To balance the scale a bit and turn back to real, honest date activity, we’d like to outline the cushioning phenomenon, and why it puts us in a pickle…

Cut to the chase – what is cushioning?

Okay, so let us arrange our academic goggles for a minute, and tell you about the semantic meaning of ‘cushioning’.

Who, or what, is a cushioner? It helps if you recall a time where you were really, really into someone, despite fearing they don’t feel the same way. Or instead, has there been a period in which you’ve undergone some terrible dating advice, and hooked up with a guy or girl who’s just… alright, there for the sake of having a partner?

In these scenarios, you might still have strands of interest attached to you from others, the ex-flames or admirers who keep a candle burning. For whatever reason, you doubt the person you’re officially with. Therefore, to avoid a train wreck, you’re being flirty, emotional and suggestive with a handful of contacts.

It’s like a big, nefarious Plan B – a parachute to catch you if you fall out of love or the object of desire spurns you out of nowhere. Ostensibly, you’re leaving others hanging because they might – just might – be able to pick up the pieces.

Why cushioning can be disastrous

First off, it’s only natural to be worried about commitment; some would argue that we’re programmed to think the grass is greener elsewhere. But for a true partnership, cushioning is a time bomb waiting explode, and can really undermine a person’s self-worth.

There’s the risk of your other half discovering these messages, for one thing. Whether it’s saucy Facebook pings or good ol’ SMS, no-one’s going to appreciate seeing winky faces from Chaz and Steven when you’re staying over. They have a right to ask what the heck you’re playing at.

But also, consider the cushionee’s feelings. Night after night, they’re being roped into a false pretence, imagining the great things you’ll do together. In reality though, they’re on the dating bench, shelved in case you need a pick-me-up. Far better to cut ties, let them go free, and adopt an all-or-nothing mindset. It’s awful having broken hearts at your feet, even with fair intentions…

FreeAndSingle pride ourselves as one of the best dating sites in the UK. That label doesn’t come without knowing how people look for a connection, and how that trust can be broken. We urge all of our users to resist cushioning, to forge ahead with their single, dedicated shot at a soul mate. ‘Uhhming’ and ‘aaahing’ isn’t good for building something real.

So don’t juggle with online dating prospects – otherwise, you won’t find The One! Sign up to a FreeAndSingle account today, and put that promise to the test…

The post What Is Cushioning? Are You A Culprit? appeared first on The FreeAndSingle Blog.

Some food is bound to strengthen the lust of your meetup; at least more than prawn crackers could ever hope to… Hence, here are five aphrodisiacs to get those hormones running high!

1. Chilli Peppers

We’re starting with a very, very literal contender for your love-struck dinner. Eating a spicy chili, unless you’re Superman, is going to flood your brain with endorphins, turn up your heart rate, and make you sweat a little – basically all the qualities of arousal. You might notice a girl get flustered and brush hair away from her face, or a guy undo his collar to keep the heat down. Either way, your body language will loosen up.

2. Steak

Actually, we can’t pin down what it is about steak that gets us so amorous… Maybe it’s the primal quality, having a big chunk of meat that’s been cut and tenderised for us. Perhaps it’s the extras you can have – gravy, blue cheese, Diane or peppercorn sauce – that say a lot about the tastes of the person sitting with us. But really, when we analyse it, it’s the juice and layered texture, the fact that you can spend ages savouring a forkful while gazing into another pair of eyes.

3. Pomegranates

A long-standing superfood, pomegranates can boost blood flow throughout your body, making arms, legs and shoulders more sensitive. If your date rests a finger on your wrist, you’ll certainly feel it. The fruit tends to release more testosterone, which can increase the sense of desire in men and women. Order some pomegranate juice before any food is served, and wait for those subtle effects to kick in.

4. Pine Nuts

Obviously you don’t want to ask for a main course of pine nuts and nothing else. Your date will stare at you and fumble for his/her phone, saying they’d rather meet someone less insane. But a sprinkling of pine kernel in pasta dishes, curries or salads will top up your level of zinc, a stimulant for the libido. Also, you’ll get a slight rush of a chemical called boron, heightening the electrical activity in your brain and making (we hope) for inventive conversation.

5. Dark Chocolate

Yep, we realise that milk and/or white chocolate lovers will balk at this, but the romantic properties of dark chocolate are undeniable. A compound called PEA (phenylethylamine) is produced when we cross to the darker side of desserts. Eat a fair bit of it, and your mood and energy will be elevated. Also, there’s that blood flow attribute again – perfect alongside the best meals for a date, making everything feel ten times more sensuous!

You probably have some personal aphrodisiacs to swear by; leave a comment if you want to add any to our list. With a FreeAndSingle profile to set your dating in motion, there are other tastes to try, like the kind of partner you’ve always been searching for. Sign up today and broaden your romantic palette, readying for that pepper eating contest…

The post Pure Chemistry: 5 Aphrodisiacs To Turn Up The Heat On A Date appeared first on The FreeAndSingle Blog.

So, for pop fans, film-goers, and those hoping love isn’t dead between the stars and the rest of us, we have some treats in store. Care for a nibble? Of course you do!

More than a Weeknd romance

If we ask you to name one of the most sumptuous actresses in Hollywood, you might plump for Selina Gomez. After breaking out of the Disney mould a few years ago, she’s emerged with romantic partners to kill for. Now she’s with famed artist The Weeknd, and they seemed darn close at their first public appearance together.

We’re talking, of course, about the Met Gala in New York City. Although the Gomez/Weeknd pairing had to rub shoulders with the mother of his supermodel ex-girlfriend (gulp!), they were as pretty as a picture, and she was caught whispering “I love you” into the guy’s ear.

She didn’t Van Out herself straight away

Yes, we sympathise with you: why can’t we be launched from obscurity into the scented bosom of a celeb we admire? Before you reach for the Kleenex, however, take heart from the fact that Denise Van Outen’s partner of three years didn’t know who she was going to be, until they met.

The chiselled chap, a City trader, recalled to OK! Magazine this week: “All I’d been told was that I would be meeting a woman called Denise. When I saw that it was her, it came as a surprise – a lovely one.” There’s still hope for us yet, we say!

A watershed moment for Britney

Thank heavens that Britney Spears seems to be happier than ever in the arms of her beau (and ‘Slumber Party’ co-star), Sam Ashgari. The couple let us have a glimpse into their backyard life recently, posting a special bit of footage on Instagram.

In it, Spears stands on the shoulders of her love giant, balancing fairly well in their swimming pool before she falls nimbly to the water. Could this be further proof that our fave diva has found the right bloke at last? Time will tell, but we’re getting strong vibes.

Trying to hide the X-Factor…

Ah, Olly Murs, the perennial guy-you’d-take-home-to-your-grandma. He’s been doing alright for himself, leaving the talent show scrapheap far behind. Only now, he’s got a harder act to juggle: that of keeping his new flame a secret.

In a second (!!) example of regular folk getting on with the stars, we’re delighted to hear that he’s linked to a girl, Nadine Hermez, who isn’t an actress or backing dancer. Rather, she’s a wannabe singer; the two were spotted at a London cocktail club, their hands roaming over each other. At this present moment, Hermez is a normal, albeit gorgeous person, but let’s see how long that lasts eh…

Beep beep boop – that’s the sound of our dating radar, which never ceases to pick up the goods. Sign up to FreeAndSingle before our next batch of celebrity dating news is delivered, and make your own relationship headline worthy!

Photo Credit: Stephan Solo

The post Celebrity Dating News: Couples On Our Radar This May appeared first on The FreeAndSingle Blog.