Category Archives for Dating Tips

How the Internet Has Changed Dating

Back in the days when verbal communication was the only way people could interact, things were harder than today. Dating couples had to wait until they met to communicate a message. Then came the letter-posting era, telephone and fast forward to today when we have the internet.

It has changed every aspect of how people do things, especially socializing. With a plethora of internet providers, and plans like viasat internet plans now available, people do not need to meet physically to start a relationship. There are many ways in which the internet makes dating possible, and this is what we are going to highlight here.

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Romancing Your Partner while Travelling

We know that people who go on vacations are more productive at work and more likely to get promoted, but are they also happier in their romantic relationships? A study review published in the Journal of Travel Research found that travel has several benefits for families, relationships, and individuals. Holidays are a reminder of the fact that although some things change when you have been married for many years, your enjoyment of each other and your love, can be stronger than ever if you just take the time to enjoy each other with no pressures of work or other commitments. If you and your partner could use a few days away, discovering new sights and learning more about each other, learning about just a few benefits of holidays may inspire you. Does booking a week away to one of the world’s most romantic cities appeal?

Building Beautiful Memories

When you think back on the highs and lows of your relationships, the best moments are probably centered on travel. As noted in a Study by Shaw, Havitz, and Delemere, holidays build tighter bonds because they provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and create memories that are cherished years later. As noted by one participant to their study, investing in a holiday makes sense because you are in essence buying into beautiful memories, not just material things that don’t mean as much when you look back on meaningful moments of your life.

The Effect of Holidays on Relationships

Research by Newman and Newman has found that spending more leisure time together is linked to a lower probability of divorce. Another study by Gilbert and Abdullah, undertaken on over 6,000 people, found that those who took at least four consecutive days off to travel, enjoyed greater wellbeing and happiness. A third study by Hoopes and Lounsbury found that going on holiday increased a couple’s satisfaction once they were back home. Some countries have taken notice of the psychological importance of vacations. Malaysia, for instance, introduced a Second Honeymoon Program in 2010, offering couples who were considering divorce an island getaway where they would enjoy counselling as well as enough time to enjoy the paradisiacal setting together. People argue less and enjoy greater intimacy when they are on their vacation, than in daily life.

Holidays Reduce Stress and Promote Peace in a Relationship

Many studies have shown that holidays are important, particularly when you have a high-stress lifestyle or when, as a couple, you have been through the stress of illness. A study conducted recently by the American Psychological Association found that vacations significantly lower stress levels because they take remove us from the activities and environments that cause worry and anxiety. Holidays ensure we have less headaches and backaches, which puts us into ‘the mood for love’. They also enable us to sleep better, so we feel more alert and are better able to give our full attention to our partner. Simply sleeping poorly or tossing and turning frequently at night can increase our stress levels, so a holiday is a good way to cut both stress and poor sleep hygiene in the bud.

Choosing a Romantic Getaway

Paradisiacal islands and mountainside resorts often spring to mind when we think of a romantic holiday, but if you are a city lover at heart, a buzzing city like New York, with its romantic nightclubs, rooftop terrace restaurants, and meaningful monuments (does the Empire State ring any bells?), has all the ingredients it takes to wine and dine your partner in style. Because New York is so expansive, it offers a plethora of romantic activities, including a picnic at Central Park, a visit to the Hayden Planetarium, or a visit to the Diamond District. Other cities on the top of the romance list include Paris, Sydney, and Venice. Whether you are catching a show at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, walking along the beach in Sydney, or taking a gondola ride in Venice, chances are, you will feel fortunate that you are enjoying all these sites with someone you love.

Making Time for a Nature Escape

If you do choose a city escape, try to find a beautiful green area or seaside part of the area you are visiting, to add a little dose of romance to what will undoubtedly already be an unforgettable trip. Researchers in Finland (Liisa Tyrvainen of the Finnish Forest Institute) recently measured people’s wellbeing in three different environments: busy city parks, urban streetscapes, and wild forests. In their study, participants were asked to take a 15-break in these areas. They found that those who had visited the city parks and forests, felt psychologically restored. These feelings were slightly heightened in a forest setting but interestingly, even being in an urban green area had powerful restorative effects. Another study by scientists at Stanford University, meanwhile, found that walking in a city park lifted the mood, working memory, and attention. Once again, it is evident that by working on our own stress levels, we can give our best self to our partner. Therefore, if you do opt for a city break, consider giving priority to cities with a beach, nearby forests, or numerous green areas in which to relax after a hectic day sightseeing.

If you would love to surprise your partner or spouse with a special gift, a holiday may just be one of the best investments you can make. As mentioned above, material things (a designer outfit, killer pair of shoes, or even an elegant piece of jewellery) don’t really form part of our memory when we recall special moments with our loved one. Holidays don’t have to be expensive, or involve a plane ride and fancy hotels. You don’t even have to leave your city or state to disconnect with your partner. Taking a quick city or nature  break for a weekend can help reduce stress and arguments, improve your mood, and make you more aware of/attentive to your loved one.

How to plan the first date at a restaurant for a perfect evening together?

There’s a time in everyone’s lives where they want to stop hanging out and begin going on dates. If that’s where you are, you need some fantastic first date ideas to woo the special someone on the first date. While people always dread the first date, research shows that most people decide the future of the romance on the very first evening.

Here’s your cheat sheet to an excellent first date –

Always have a plan

First, you need to have a plan. There is nothing worse than sitting on the couch with your date wondering what to do for the evening. If you have been friends, that’s great news because that will give you an idea about what he or she might want to do the first evening together. The first meeting between just the two of you can be awkward, which is why it is necessary to meet outside, at a neutral place like a restaurant.

Check out food preferences

Second, find out what your date likes to eat. Is he or she a vegetarian? Does he or she love a juicy steak? Do you want your date to be casual and a “burger and fries” joint? Or, do you want to do something special like a romantic dinner? It is essential to plan this part because both of you can prepare accordingly. If it is a visit to a classy wine and dine restaurant, you should dress respectably. Frayed jeans and a casual t-shirt might not be that welcome at an upscale place. So, research the restaurant, check the menu and withdraw cash from the ATM just in case there’s an emergency.

Research the place’s menu

Third, research the restaurant’s menu. If your date is vegan, you must ensure that the place you picked specializes in vegan food as well. In most of the regular sites, the vegetarian options are limited, and they usually do not have vegan alternatives to their regular items. If you are not sure about a particular diet, he or she is on like a keto diet, or an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet, make sure the place serves something up to his or her expectations. Restaurants that do not have their menu online, usually answer questions regarding their menu options over the phone.

Check the quality of service

Fourth, check the reviews and ratings of the restaurant. Sometimes, a place might serve all the food you can think of, but many of the items on the menu can be of subpar quality. That is completely unfortunate, but it is true. There is nothing worse than sitting on either side of a gorgeous tabbouleh salad and not being able to dig into it! Then check if you will need reservations. Do not get your hopes up without knowing how long the average seating time is, or how long ago you have to book for a fine dining experience.

Great food is the best social and romantic glue. There is nothing like bonding over common food interests with a new person. On a first date, always try to be sensitive, appreciative and supportive. Having an impressive spread in front of you with a delicious bottle of wine is all you will need to spill your heart and listen as your date reciprocates.

7 Valid Reasons To Walk Away From A Long-Term Relationship

Breaking up with the person you love hurts like hell, especially if you’ve been together for a couple of years.

You’ve built your world around each other. You’ve made a lot of good and memories over the years and shared unforgettable experiences. You’ve faced many trials together and surpassed them out of love. It’s such a waste to end such a long and meaningful relationship and start over again.

But there are battles you cannot win over no matter how much you love the person. It’s when the relationship becomes toxic and draining to the point it’s not worth fighting for anymore.

Let’s not talk about the petty arguments about laziness, or small incompatibilities like introverted and extroverted personalities – you can work them out. But there are some circumstances which are extremely difficult or even impossible to resolve. These events tell you that it’s the end of the road. You have no choice but to give it up because you’ll destroy each other eventually if you choose to stay.

You may assume your long-time partner is the one. But if you’re still unmarried and you spot these red flags, it would be better rethink your relationship before the problem becomes unbearably damaging during your marriage.

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Happy & Healthy Marriage Advice Every Couple Should Use

Tying the knot is easy, it’s staying married that is the tricky part.

In order to be successful, you and your spouse must learn to compromise, respect each other, and communicate. Don’t let yourself forget how important your partner is to you.

If you want to have a happy, successful married life, then read on and learn the 10 best tips for a healthy marriage that every couple should be following.

1. Always Put in the Effort

Getting married shouldn’t mean that end of dating – each other, obviously!

Putting in the effort to schedule a fun, sexy, or romantic date night is all about making your partner feeling loved, adored, and desired. These are important aspects of any healthy marriage.

Studies reveal other benefits of date night as well, such as heightened sexual and emotional intimacy, boredom prevention, and deeper communication.

2. Build Lasting Trust

Trust is one of the most important parts of any healthy marriage.

Your partner should be the person you can tell your deepest secrets to without every worrying that they will judge you or share your stories with anyone else. Trust also means living with confidence that your spouse would never do anything to betray you nor you them.

3. Play Like Friends

In a study about what makes a marriage last, treating a spouse like a best friend rated as one of the biggest indicators of success. Research also indicates that couples who laugh together regularly are more likely to stay together than those who do not.

Your best friend is the first person you think to call when something exciting happens. They are the person you want to go to concerts with, the person you trust, and the person who can always make you laugh. So, why shouldn’t this person be your spouse?

4. Don’t Expect Perfection

Part of having a healthy married life is about having realistic expectations about your partner and loving them for who they are, not who you wish they would become.

People naturally mature as they grow older. They grow and change in various ways. Perhaps they even quit bad habits such as smoking or staying up all hours of the night. Your spouse may change their opinion about getting a pet, decide they actually do want kids, or may even change careers after marriage.

But, those are their own decisions. While you have every right to weigh in, offer you opinion, and give support as a spouse – thinking that you can be the cause of change in your partner is a fruitless challenge that will only leave you shaking your head.

5. Maintain Your Sex Life

Sex is arguably the biggest way in which couples bond both emotionally and physically. The oxytocin released during intercourse is largely responsible for stress-reduction, mood elevation, and is the biggest predictor in heightened emotional intimacy in married couples.

An active sex life also promotes bonding, and is scientifically shown to deepen trust.

Plus, it’s fun.

6. Pursue Separate Interests

Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you always have the same interests. It is just as important to pursue separate interests as is it to share hobbies and goals.

Maintaining solo hobbies and social lives will help each spouse hang onto their sense of self outside the relationship. In turn, this confidence will strengthen the marriage bond.

7. Do New Things Together

According to twentieth century philosopher Rudolf Steiner, people change their opinions and interests every seven years. So, if the changing of body and mind is inevitable, do your utmost to ensure you and your spouse are changing and growing in the same direction.

One way you can do this is by sharing new things together. Take up a class, instrument, language, or start a new hobby like exercising or photography. By taking up these challenges together, you’ll be able to deepen the connection in your married life.

8. Be Partners

Your spouse is not simply the person you married, they are your partner. By marrying them it means that you have entered into a partnership, so always treat it like one. Decisions are made together, issues are talked about respectfully, and each spouse’s feelings, thoughts, and opinions are to be treated with care.

Just like in a business, you and your spouse are working toward the same goal together in order to profit your relationship.

9. Learn to Compromise

This step may be difficult for those who are used to getting what they want. But, being in a marriage means melding two different lives together. As with any couple, this is bound to cause you two to butt heads every once in a while. This is where the art of compromise comes in.

Marrying the love of your life means everything isn’t always about you anymore. You are building a family together as partners, not enemies. Learn to pick your battles. Decide what is important to you and what isn’t worth your instance.

10. Don’t Go to Bed Angry

This age-old advice had been around for decades for a reason. Going to bed angry is a hurtful thing to do to both partners. You’ll end up losing sleep, hurting your spouse for your lack of communication and understanding, and be hurting your brain in the process. Literally.

Studies prove that by going to bed angry, you are actually encouraging your brain to hold onto negative emotions that will be harder to get rid of then if you had simply called a truce before bed.

Sure, there are some issues that could be put on hold until morning, but you should always strive to kiss and make up before bedtime.

Being married is a rewarding adventure, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t bumps along the way. By following these 10 tips, you’ll be setting yourself up for a healthy marriage for years to come.

Why Are Women Hiring More and More West London Escorts?

 

With Lily Allen having recently admitted to hiring female escorts while on tour, the industry has once again become a hot topic. Specifically, many are questioning why women appear to be hiring more West London Escorts than ever before.

Though typically associated with male clients, the number of women requesting the services of female escorts has grown exponentially.  The question being – why?

 

Filling a Void

When questioned about her own choices, Lily Allen told interviewers from The Project that for her, it wasn’t simply about sexual gratification.

“It’s more about a period of time when I was feeling incredibly lonely, and sort of at my wits’ end, and I was looking for anything — looking for an outlet. So it’s not really, like, a salacious sex story,” she said.

“It’s more about [being in] hotel rooms like the one we are sitting in, and being on my own and being very far away from my kids and my husband.”

Contrary to popular belief, this is anything but an unfamiliar story. In fact, the vast majority of West London escorts routinely encounter clients who are simply looking to fill some kind of void. For some, it’s a case of boredom during business trips becoming unbearable. For others, the idea of having a beautiful and intelligent local woman show you around her city is the ultimate appeal.

It’s natural to assume that the services provided by escorts centre on sexual acts alone. In reality, the huge proportion of those who call upon the services of escorts aren’t interested in sex at all. Sex may happen, at some point, but it isn’t the priority.

Instead, many clients are simply looking for companionship and temporary friendship for a set period of time. Can you form an emotional bond in such a short time? Most scientists and social psychologists agree that it’s possible, and can even be expedited by things like doing something adventurous together or physical touch.

The kind of permissive, fun and frivolous friendships that you can’t necessarily form in day-to-day life are somehow more possible with someone you’ll only know for a few hours. Hence, it’s hardly surprising to hear of more women than ever before requesting the services of escorts in West London.

 

Experimentation

Of course, the vast majority of escorts attend engagements under the assumption sexual favours will be requested. In most cases, this turns out to be quite accurate. But once again, it isn’t only male clients in the capital who are hiring escorts to show them a good time. More women than ever before are doing just this.

As far as those providing such services are concerned, this is equally unsurprising. Attitudes towards sex in general have never been more liberal in the UK. Once repressed, women are now being actively encouraged to explore their sexuality and embrace who they really are. As we often don’t know who we really are until we put ourselves to the test, this is exactly what women across the capital are doing. Not to mention, the rest of the country as a whole.

Experimentation isn’t just for young people, either. Women in their thirties, forties and beyond are now embracing sexual experimentation as well, feeling perhaps that they’ve missed out on something in a former, more prudish time in their life.

For women who have been partnered or married for a long time, divorce or separation can be an incredibly liberating time of life. New-found freedom turns into the opportunity to try new things, and increasingly this means exploring their sexuality and throwing caution to the wind. Before they know it, women who might never have imagined themselves paying for companionship or sex or both suddenly decide they’re unbothered by the prospect.

If a person – male or female – suspects they may have bisexual or homosexual tendencies, it can be difficult to find a safe and confidential outlet. You want to explore your sexuality, but not only are you unsure as to where your tendencies lie, you don’t want to go through the process of dating through conventional channels.

It’s far easier to hire an escort, live out your wildest fantasies and see if you enjoy it. If you do, fantastic. If you don’t, the whole thing remains 100% confidential and you can walk away without a shred of guilt. Experts agree that exploring our sexuality is both healthy and important – why not do it through the safest and most reassuring channel possible?

 

Changing Attitudes

On the whole, one of the biggest reasons why escort services are in growing demand in general is changing attitudes. Slowly but surely, societies begin to accept that the provision of escort services is neither ‘evil’ nor ‘immoral’. Far from a taboo subject the public is afraid to discuss, escort services are almost becoming mainstream in some parts of the UK.

Added to which, the more liberal attitudes to escort services in Europe – famously mainstream and accessible in countries like The Netherlands and Germany – have helped move the conversation about using escorts forward. Holidaymakers coming home from short breaks to Amsterdam or Berlin can doubtlessly attest to this.

The ubiquity of the internet and online services have also helped increase the visibility of escorts in the UK. This has served to reform the ‘grubby’ back-alley view of the men and women providing this service, professionalising their appearance and helping to make the idea more palatable to a wider customer base – including women.

The result of all of this is a significant and on-going acceleration in demand – both from male and female clients alike. And of course, the fact that a better quality of services have become so readily available over the internet is also contributing to the cause – sex or companionship is only ever a few clicks away.

So while some may have lashed out at Lily Allen’s choices while on tour, others have commended her open-mindedness and honesty. Millions of women worldwide are hiring escorts on a regular basis, but only a handful have the courage to admit it.

Senior Dating: How to Find Love Later in Life

Reentering the dating scene when you are a senior can be a frustrating and even scary experience. You might feel like your flirting skills are a bit rusty, to say the least, or you might think that there’s simply no chance you’ll ever find anybody at your age. However, the truth is, there are plenty of fish in the sea no matter how old you are, and dating a senior tends to be much more straightforward. So, if you’ve reached your golden years and are still looking for the one, here are a few tips that might help you out.

Try online dating 

Since we do live in the digital age when we can work online, pay our bills online, and even shop online, why not find love online as well? As awkward as it might have been when it first started, online dating has become quite popular nowadays, and it’s not hard to see why. It is relatively safe because it allows you to talk to whoever you choose for as long as you feel comfortable, and you can back out at any point without much risk for your privacy. Plus, it allows you to focus on getting to know each other instead of just physical appearance. Some dating sites are even made especially for seniors, so there are definitely plenty of choices when it comes to online platforms.

Give matchmaking agencies a try

If online dating hasn’t worked for you, or if it simply isn’t your thing, you can also try signing up to a matchmaking agency. With so many people looking for their true love, matchmaking has become a lucrative business, so you should give it a try. You wouldn’t need to create an online profile, upload any photos, or spend hours browsing the sites. Instead, you’d make an appointment and talk to a professional matchmaker about your interests, hobbies, experiences, and of course, what kind of partner you’re looking for. After that, it’s all in their hands, and they’ll let you know when they find you a suitable date. The only downside is that it can sometimes be a bit costly, and there is still no guarantee that they will find you what you’re looking for.

Join a club

A great way to find somebody who shares your interests is to join a club that emphasizes those interests. For example, if you love reading, you can join a book club; if you’re into games, there are many clubs dedicated to board games. You can also learn something new and join a course, like a cooking school or a gardening program. Combine your needs and wishes, and find a hobby that you’ll enjoy doing. Plus, this is not only a great way to meet new people, but it’s also a great reason to stay engaged throughout your retirement.

Get out of the house 

One thing is for sure, if you’re not doing anything online, you’re not going to find anybody just by sitting inside your home. You need to get out there and meet new people, so find a reason to do that. Get a dog and walk it every day, ride a bicycle or exercise, go for walks in the park, find something enjoyable that you can do outside. If you’re not an active type, or if you have some specific medical needs, you can also move to one of the professional aged care homes like Bellmere and perhaps meet somebody new there.

Work on yourself

Last but not least, in order to attract the right person, you have to be, well, attractive – and not just physically. So, work on yourself, keep gaining new skills and developing those that you already have. Practice a healthy lifestyle, have fun with your free time, and most importantly, don’t feel pressured about finding the one. If it’s meant to happen, it will, and stressing out about it can only cause you to rush and make mistakes when somebody you like does show up. After all, the more you like yourself, the more others will like you as well. This doesn’t mean you should become arrogant, though, but a healthy dose of confidence is always attractive.

 

It’s never too late to find love, and even though there are no guarantees in life, you’re more likely to find what you’re looking for if you actually look for it instead of wait for it to find you. What is certain, though, is that by working on yourself and engaging in social activities is bound to make you a much happier person and your future relationships much healthier as well.

7 Worst Things to Do On a Date

No matter which niche you’re dating in, including BBW dating, there are certain etiquette rules for a first date that we should all follow not only to ensure we get a second date, but simply to avoid acting like a total jerk. Below we discuss the top 7 worst things you can do on a first date that will make the other person run for their life.

#1: Forget Your Manners

Your date will pay more attention to how you treat other people around you than to how you treat them. Be nice and polite, smile, and show respect to everyone, from the waiters and other patrons at the restaurant, to the random people on the street. Obviously, don’t forget your ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ when talking to your date.

#2: Not Let Your Date Talk

Allow your date to tell you their story, and don’t interrupt them when they’re talking. Don’t talk over them or for them. You want to make them feel like you care about their opinion. Also, be careful about the little things, such as ordering food for them. It’s best to let them speak for themselves throughout the evening, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.

#3: Not Say Enough

The other person is interested in you and wants to get to know you. Unless you talk about yourself, your life, your opinions, beliefs, and all those things that come up on a date, you won’t give them a chance to find out what kind of a person you are. Don’t forget that often they might conclude that you’re not interested in them enough if you’re quiet all evening.

#4: Get Too Drunk

Having a drink or two is absolutely acceptable if you’re out on the town on a Saturday night, but know your limit and don’t cross it on a first date. Getting drunk with a group of friends who know you well is one thing, but putting yourself in a position to say things you don’t mean to share or do stuff you normally wouldn’t do should be avoided.

#5: Talk about Your Ex

Obviously, everyone has a past, but your past has no business being with you on a first date. Don’t even mention your ex, let alone talk about them because the person listening is likely to conclude the past is not the past, and there is not enough room in your life for someone new.

#6: Mention Marriage or Children

If there ever was an off-putting topic for a first date, marriage and kids has to be it. Nobody likes the idea of any kind of a clock ticking, pressure, and especially desperation. It’s worse than an overly zealous sales person desperately trying to sell you something to meet their quota.

#7: Be Cheap

The matter of who pays the bill at the end of a first date is still, for some reason, open for debate when it really shouldn’t be. It’s not written in stone that the man should pay, but that’s usually the way it goes. At the same time, the girl should absolutely offer to pay or at least split the bill and mean it. If there are multiple checks to be picked up, such as dinner and a movie, it’s perfectly OK for one person to pay for the dinner and the other for the movie. It’s only fair!

Dating Sites Study: Women Are Pickier Than Men

It’s safe to say that online dating has revolutionized the general dating scene all around the world. Ever since it became one of the best matchmaking options for single people, most individuals have changed their routines and their attitudes when it comes to romance. For example, people nowadays don’t have to go out and search for the perfect date, they have it all in one place, just a few clicks away. If a guy wants to meet a mature hottie, for instance, he can simply visit a cougar dating website and find a perfect match. The same goes for women; they can now look for a perfect companion from the comfort of their own home. Even though these advantages sound rather nice, some studies show that online dating platforms have made women pickier than men. Let’s see how and why.

Ladies Are Very Specific In Their Searches

One of the main reasons why most women are pickier than men is the fact that ladies are rarely looking for one night stands and casual relationships. Moreover, most of them are searching for suitable partners with whom they’ll be able to start a serious relationship. This is why most single ladies are rather specific in their online searches. On the other hand, the majority of young single dudes who have profiles on dating sites are not that specific, simply because they’re ready to settle for less in order to have some fun.

Their Potential Date’s Education Is Very Important To Them

Women, no matter how young or restless, are always thinking about their future. This is why they will never settle for someone with whom they can’t fulfill their dreams and achieve their goals. This is why they consider the level of education to be one of the most important indicators when it comes to their potential match.

Namely, women associate education with intelligence and success, which means they will continue to search until they find a good-looking man with a college diploma. We can honestly say that most men don’t take this parameter too seriously, which also goes in favor of the claim that ladies are pickier than fellas.

Women Are Most Picky Between the Ages Of 18 and 30 – Here’s Why

According to an Australian study that was conducted by Dr. Stephen Whyte and later published in Psychological Science, women are at their pickiest between the ages of 18 and 30.  Whyte and his team came to this conclusion by analyzing the dating routines of 41,936 persons. But what are the possible reasons for that?

Well, the fact is that women are most fertile during those years, which means they’re simply looking for a man who will prove to be a suitable partner and a potential father of their children. Naturally, most women don’t want to start a family with just anyone. What is more, they’re looking for a perfect companion with many virtues and qualities that are in their opinion essential for establishing healthy marriage and happy family.  Given the reason for the pickiness in this case, we have to agree it’s fully justified.

8 Dating Hacks from Single Women

Skeptics will tell you there is no way you can have dating hacks, but we’re here to prove them wrong. Listed below are the top 8 hacks from single women of all ages and backgrounds that can help you find love online, and keep you sane in the process.

#1: Choose the Lowest Possible Distance

Using the distance filter at home or when traveling proves to be very useful on so many levels. There is no time wasted on someone who just lives too far away when you’re not at all interested in a long-distance relationship, plus planning a first date is far easier with someone who lives nearby. If there are no good prospects in the area, you can always increase the range little by little.

#2: Check them out on Social Media

One of the easiest ways to weed out the guys who don’t seem like a good match is to check them out on social media. Find them on Instagram or Twitter, and send them a friend request on Facebook. If they don’t reply to the request, they’ve probably got something to hide. Keeping in mind that most people put the best possible photos of themselves on display online, take the time to try and dig out something that may attest to the fact that person might not be such a good match.

#3: Only Use Apps in the Morning

If you only swipe in the morning, you’ll save yourself plenty of time at midday, plus you’ll see which users are up at a decent hour. If you swipe him right, and he doesn’t reply until 3 pm, what could that tell you? Among other things, that he works nights, which could involve dangerous situations or drugs and alcohol, just to name a few.

#4: Standards Can Be Flexible

Not everyone you meet will be marriage material, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be awesome for a (few) one-night stands. Maybe you don’t like what they do, the way they dress or they just seem they could be trouble down the road, but that doesn’t mean you have to be in a relationship with them. Maybe their smile is irresistible, and they’re a really good kisser. That’s a great candidate to have some fun with despite your high standards!

#5: Engage Your Dog to Help

Who says that a date has to take place on a Saturday night? How about a Sunday morning at your local off-leash dog park? You can get a better idea of what someone is like when you see them during the day than when they posh up for evening, plus it’s harder to put the moves on someone at 10am than at 10pm, which will give you a better picture of the kind of person you’re dealing with. Also, you can tell a lot about a person based on how they interact with animals!

#6: Dance

It’s true that not all guys out there would be thrilled to be seen on the dance floor, but if a cutie you’re chatting up on Tinder plans to seducing you right, he better start on the dance floor! Dancing can be extremely sensual, which isn’t necessarily what you have to go for, but it can tell you a lot about a person’s level of self-confidence.

#7: Let Him Woo You

It’s nice to be in control on your dates, and in many cases it’s also a turn on, but sometimes you just need to let go, and let your date court you old-school style. Allowing yourself to be wooed doesn’t make you any less of a feminist, and doesn’t mean you’re giving up the right to vote! Finally, if the guy is willing to invest his time and energy into the courtship process, that sets the stage for a fulfilling relationship down the road.

#8: Don’t Forget to be Yourself

There are plenty of people out there searching for the exact same things that you have to offer. Hate Sci-Fi? Love sports? Don’t be afraid to say that! We all like to travel and think we’re not difficult, but that’s not what makes you unique. Fly your flag openly and catch the right kind of fish, instead of the slippery one!