First Dates

Great as it may be to flirt with local singles from the comfort of your sofa, ultimately every online dater wants to secure a date. Otherwise, how are you meant to find out if you really click with that man or woman that you’ve been chatting to online? But moving things on from a flirty conversation online to sitting opposite one another in a restaurant is a step that many of us find hard. So we’re here with some online dating advice, to help you jump that final hurdle…

 

Engage With Local Singles

You won’t have much luck if you simply message someone out of the blue asking to go on a date. First, you need to strike up conversation. Make sure your online dating profile is up to scratch, then approach one or two singletons that you’d like to get to know better. Spend some time flirting and finding out about each other to see if you click – after all, you don’t want to spend an evening with someone who isn’t worth the time and effort!

 

Maintain the Momentum

 

Keeping the interest levels high is essential if you’re going to secure a date from your online dating conversation. It takes two to tango, so make sure you’re doing your bit to maintain the momentum. Flirting is a fun way to keep the conversation fresh and dynamic, but be keen to ask questions and share stories too. The more you build up excitement about one another, the more likely you’ll be to move things on to a first date.

 

Get the Timing Right

The conversation has been flowing to and fro for half an hour, and it’s clear that you get on well – seize the opportunity to ask him or her out on a date if the timing seems right. Leave it too long, and they might cool off. On the other hand, don’t pounce too early when the other person may still be unsure about how they feel. Timing is key when asking someone out on a date, as you want to be sure that you get the right answer – you only get one chance, so use it wisely!

 

Be Specific

Although you might want to play it cool, don’t be so relaxed that your encounter never happens. If they have agreed to meet you, have a think of a fun date idea and a few possible times and dates that you can suggest. Give at least two options – not everyone will have the same schedule or routine as you – and be willing to compromise a little if you really want to make it happen.

 

Know what you want and take the initiative to get it, to make online dating conversations lead to first dates with local singles – and perhaps even a few second, third or fourth dates! Be bold and get the timing right and you’ll soon be dressing up for that exciting first encounter with someone special.

No matter how well you prepare for a first date, it doesn’t always go to plan. From arriving on time looking half-decent, to keeping the conversation flowing until the bill comes at the end, it’s no small challenge to make a first date successful. To improve your chances of getting a second date, here are 5 common disasters, and how to rescue the situation if they occur!

 

  1. Arriving Late

 

First impressions count, so a late arrival is a bad start to any encounter. Embarrassing for the late person and frustrating for their companion, it’s not a good omen for a romantic evening.

 

What to do: If you’re the culprit, make a joke about how you considered standing them up before changing your mind. Then share the real story. It will make light of the situation, whilst helping you gauge their sense of humour. If he/she has arrived late, give them another chance – we’ve all been late before!

 

  1. Conversation Killer

    Things were going so well until you stuck your foot in it with that ridiculous comment. Now they’re looking at you like you’ve pulled down your trousers.

 

What to do: Don’t let that blunder become a deal-breaker – shrug it off and change topic with a question that will get them talking again. Or, if it’s really bad, apologise immediately and ask if you can start afresh.

 

  1. Awkward Silences

    If your problem is not rescuing a conversation, but starting one in the first place, it can become increasingly awkward. You’re searching desperately around the room for something, anything to talk about….


What to do: Talk about your day. However random it may be, tell them something that happened today – it will give you both a chance to think about the next conversation topic, and it may just make them laugh.

4. Embarrassing Eating

Whether you foolishly ordered the garlic mushrooms or you’re trying to tackle spaghetti with a shred of elegance, food can be a big cause of embarrassment on a first date restaurant scenario.

 

What to do: Don’t draw attention to it unless you have to. But if it’s really obvious, make light of the situation and laugh it off. Food around your face could be endearing, right?

 

  1. Downright Disaster

    There’s no avoiding the fact that this date is a DISASTER. But how on earth can you escape another few hours pretending that it’s going well and that you’re having a great time? This truly is an emergency…

 

What to do: Think up a plausible excuse, and fast. Don’t worry, FreeAndSingle has already come up with a few great excuses to leave a date early, https://freeandsingle.com/blog/4-amazing-and-believable-excuses-to-leave-a-date-early/, although some are more obvious than others!

 

Prepare for any eventuality and skilfully steer your date on the path to a second encounter, by following these tips on how to rescue date disasters when they strike. They might not be fool proof, but it’s better than floundering if things don’t quite go to plan!

We’re not all holding out for a hero. As nice as tales of romance and love stories may be, not all of us have the patience to wait around for the perfect match. Besides, you may just be looking for a fun fling from online dating. If you’re seeking a quick fix that will spice up your love life, here are a few online dating tips to help you get results from your membership.

 

Free Online Dating

If you haven’t signed up for online dating yet, you may be unsure about which site to choose. With countless sites available, you don’t want to narrow down your options by committing to expensive membership fees straight away. First, you want to make sure that you’ve found one with plenty of local singles looking for people like you.

 

Free online dating allows you to dip your toe in the water; it takes seconds to sign up, and after filling in a few details for your online dating profile, you can get to work on finding singletons in your area who are on the same page. That’s why FreeAndSingle offers 100% free dating – no strings attached!

 

Looking for…

Don’t dedicate time and energy towards getting to know someone who wants totally different things from their dating experience. At best, you’ll be wasting your time; at worst, one of you could end up getting hurt. Before you get in touch with a potential date, have a look at their status – are they looking for romance, sex or a long-term relationship? Make sure you’re both in it for the same reasons, so that if things go well, you’ll both be a winner.

 

Online Now

Feeling lonely tonight? Pick out singletons who are online now, so you’ve got a much higher chance of getting an instant response. And if possible, try to get online at different times of the day throughout the week, to maximise your chances of meeting someone who you really click with. After all, you’ve got nothing better to do on your lunch break, or morning commute on the bus.

 

Don’t Be Picky

They say you should never judge a book by it’s cover, and if you’re desperate for a date then don’t be so quick to rule people out by their profile picture or bio. Give someone a chance and you might just be pleasantly surprised. The more open you are to meeting singles online, the more likely you’ll be to meet someone who wants to get to know you better.

 

Speed dating isn’t reserved for bars and restaurants – you can soon step up the pace of your love life if you’re prepared to mingle with singles in your area. Free dating online is a great way to meet amazing people who are looking for someone just like you, with minimum hassle and no expense! So get online and start your online dating journey today, with FreeAndSingle.

Unique Date Ideas

Online dating is an exciting adventure that is full of surprises. First dates are the real deal breakers of the online dating world, when those flirty conversations and snapshots of their life are put on the table as you come face to face. So if this mystery man or woman has really grabbed your attention, you want to make sure that you make an impression on them too. To give you inspiration, here are 5 unique first date ideas that will show them you’re worth a shot.

 

1. Go For A Picnic

 

Restaurants are an obvious choice for a first date idea, and whilst they may a reliable option, they are also a little predictable. Plus, the formal setting of a restaurant can take much longer to break the ice. So if you’re in for a sunny weekend, why not surprise them with a picnic instead? Choose somewhere that isn’t overly isolated so they don’t feel uncomfortable, and pack a variety of foods in case they’re fussy. This informal, relaxed setting can make it much easier to get to know one another.

 

2. Stand Up Comedy

 

Personality and looks are important, but most people look for a partner with a good sense of humour too, especially women http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9453842/Playful-people-more-attractive.html. Taking your date to a comedy night can be a great way to suss out if you connect with their sense of humour, and give you an excuse to extend the night after dinner.

 

3. Get Active

 

Do you have a favourite hobby, or something that you’ve always wanted to try? Activities such as water sports, dancing, rock climbing, or even bowling can easily break down the boundaries and see if they’re as fun-loving and adventurous as you. However try not to choose something too sweaty – no date is going to look great if you’re dripping with sweat and bright as a beetroot after a 5k run. The emphasis with free dating is fun.

 

4. Learn Something New

 

If you’re not particularly keen on the idea of getting active but you still want to try something new and fun, why not take a class together instead? Cookery, archery and cocktail master classes are all hands-on ways to get to know each other. And even if you don’t decide to take your dating any further, at least you can take away a new skill!

 

5. Spice Up Restaurant Dates

 

Still set on choosing a restaurant? Don’t just opt for your standard Italian chain restaurant. Why not find a cuisine that neither of you have tried before… Lebanese food anyone? Many restaurants also hold special evenings and events, so something such as a tasting menu can add a little spice to your first date if you like wining and dining.

 

Give them a day or night to remember by opting for a unique date idea that will stand out from the rest. By showing that you’ve got a spontaneous or adventurous side, they’re much more likely to take an interest and start the date on the right foot. And who knows, it could just lead to a second one!

Photo Credit: Dita Margarita