Friday, March 13, 2009

Advice on Dating

By Gail Jones

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 in the past. There's a reason it's called the past. The first thing any giver of dating advice would tell you is that a fresh start is important for a date to go well. Boring your date with tales of the ex's misdeeds is a definite no-no. Don't let old grudges get in the way of new opportunities.

'Be yourself' is probably the best dating advice possible. It's true that people like to put their best foot forward, and impress their date, but if they aren't their usual selves, not only will they feel uncomfortable, but their date will pick up on the uneasy vibes as well.

Tempering your expectations to be neither too high nor too low is also very good dating advice. Expecting too much out of just one date or of the person you are dating, is bound to end up disappointing you (both). Let's face it, your date is only human and so are you; and first dates are notoriously a bit awkward.

A question that crops up time and time again is: who should pay? The general consensus of opinion in dating advice circles is that the one who invites, pays. But, others argue that it is always better to go 50/50 every time to avoid embarrassment. Furthermore, there is yet another school of dating advise though, that reasons that a man is not a gentleman" if he doesn't offer to pick up the bill. The best thing to do in this scenario would be to settle for something that you and your date are both comfortable with.

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.

The most important bit of dating advice though, is to remember that no one date is a deal-breaker. No date is the end, so if one doesn't work out, why worry, there will be others. And if they doesn't work, there are plenty of other people to go out with. - 15437

About the Author: