Relationships

If you’re wondering how to create the best online dating profile I can tell you that it all starts with honesty. Yes, honesty. As tempting and easy as it may be to puff ourselves up to something that we’re not when we’re creating our dating profile, you really are doing yourself an injustice by claiming to be anything other than what you are. As much as you may think you’ll fare better by saying that you’re an astronaut or actress, you’ll be setting yourself up for embarrassment and pretty much ensure that you end up alone once the jig is up—which it inevitably will be.

The best online dating profile is one that best reflects who you really are and describes what you are looking for to a tee. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for love or a fling because in the end, being honest is the only way to get what you really want because you’ll know that those who do contact you based on your profile are doing so because they like what they see—you! Being honest doesn’t have to mean listing every last detail about yourself of course. And honesty doesn’t require you to get down to the nitty-gritty in a way that may be unflattering. For example, you can admit to being short or fat without actually using those words to describe yourself and instead opt for wording that is a tad more appealing. Or, you could choose a current picture and let the picture do the talking and leave words for describing your personality as well as what you’re looking for.

Speaking of pictures; a profile with a picture always gets considerably more hits than one without, so including one is definitely a must if you want to create the best online dating profile for yourself. Be sure to choose a photo that is not only very recent but also shows your personality a little. A picture taken while doing something that you really enjoy or a candid shot of you laughing is always a great way to show yourself in the best and most genuine light. If a posed picture is all you’ve got, just make sure that it’s recent and shows exactly what you look like right now as opposed to a few years ago.

Finally, when it comes to how to create the best online dating profile you want to put some effort into what you write. As much as the photos may say, you still want to come across as someone with a personality worth getting to know. A sonnet isn’t necessary but you don’t want to be the schlep who only throws a sentence or two together and thinks that should be good enough! Your profile is your first impression and will be the deciding factor in whether or not someone contacts you or replies to your messages, so give it a little thought and try to stand out above the rest somehow.

St. Patrick's Day is this week, and and that means the bars, clubs and restaurants will be crawling with people – even people who don't normally go out much. An added bonus is that these people will almost always be adults as well, and the number of families will be slim to none. The good news is that while there will be some couples, in general we've got a single, adult haven; the bad news is that St. Patrick's Day is pretty much known as the get-drunk holiday, so the people you meet might not remember you tomorrow.

Because being out on St. Paddy's Day is a prime time to meet new people, it might be worth modifying a little of your own behavior so that you, too, can remember anyone you meet. This doesn't mean you can't have a good time, but taper down the drinking so you'll at least recall the time you've had. And trust me, vomiting isn't attractive, either, so it's a win-win situation.

It might not be a bad idea to be at your most pro-active earlier in the night, before everyone becomes sloshed and before the come-ons start flying thick and fast. At 1:30 in the morning you might just look like any other guy or girl looking to hook up, but earlier you can actually have a conversation and be more memorable – both literally and figuratively.

Just because the holiday features shamrocks and leprechauns, don't expect magic to be made on St. Patrick's Day; chances are, the people are out with friends and have some amount of set plans. The point, however, is that you're getting to meet people you might not ordinarily encounter. If you can walk away with a phone number or two, you'll be doing well. And because it's a holiday, you have things to talk about right away – like his giant leprechaun hat or her headband with googly shamrocks.

Be safe this St. Patrick's Day – and maybe you can use this giant partying holiday and use it to your advantage. Remember to wear a shamrock for extra luck!

I can understand someone asking the question, does online dating work? I too used to ask that same question—usually with a roll of the eyes and a snicker as though I already knew the answer. Truth be told, I was skeptical enough that I decided to line up 50 online dates and document my experiences. Was I doing it to find love? Not really. Was I doing it to help out other singles? Maybe a little. I was mostly doing it in hopes of scoring a great book deal since chic lit, sex and dating writing were all the rage thanks to Sex and the City. I was also looking to answer that question that you’re asking about whether or not online dating works.

So, does online dating work? With as much enthusiasm as I can possibly put out, I can say with all honesty that yes, it does indeed work. Did I discover that through 50 blind dates? Sort of. You see, I am engaged to date #2 and after our first meeting never did make it on any of the other dates!

Why Does Online Dating Work?

The success of online dating can be attributed to several things, including convenience, variety and, the initial anonymity that it provides. It’s no secret that we’re living in a world that seems to run on overdrive. We are more strapped for time than ever before because we work and play harder than ever. The convenience of being able to look for love at anytime of the day or night that works for us is often what attracts us to online dating in the first place. For people who work odd shifts or multiple jobs or even have kids to take care of; finding the time to go out in search of Mr. /Mrs. Right can be nearly impossible, not to mention expensive. Hopping online every time you have a moment, be it just before bed or while you’re sitting on the toilet, gives people the opportunity to see who’s out there when they can. And, the variety of potential dates is absolutely incredible—20 million each month incredible to be a little more precise! With all the different dating sites online and members of all shapes and sizes and backgrounds and ages, how can you not have a good shot at love??

As mentioned, the initial anonymity that you get with dating online has a lot to do with why online dating works so well. Being able to communicate with potential dates from behind the security of the computer screen enables people to open up more easily and be themselves. It`s actually been proven that men in particular have an easier time opening up and forming a bond with a woman before they even meet, showing an increase in ‘successful matches’, which is defined as couples seeing each other beyond the first and second date.

I should stress that this doesn’t mean that you’re guaranteed love with the first person that you meet via online dating, of course. It could be the first or it could be the hundred and first, but, as long as you’re willing to put yourself out there and give it a try, it is very likely to happen.

It's happened to every one of us: you start dating someone right around his or her birthday! It's too soon for extravagance but you don't want to look like a cheapskate - where's the happy medium?

Before you exhaust yourself in the interminable search for something that's beyond your means because you're afraid to disappoint, check out this handy list of ideas. Designed to keep you in favor and out of the dog house, we'll bet that there's something in here that will get your own creative juices flowing!

Live Music - Go Local

If your date is a fan of the live music scene, why not plan a casual dinner out followed by an evening filled with tunes? To find live music in your area, try a web search for "(your city) live music." You may even luck out and find a destination that offers both dinner and music! Your local pop culture newspaper will also have live music listings and perhaps even an online calendar on their related website.

Get Some Culture

Maybe your newest better half is a culture buff. Why not check out the local museums or zoo and see what's brewing after dark? These destinations oftentimes have special films or events after regular exhibit hours that allow you a behind-the-scenes look and glimpse of culture you wouldn't otherwise see. Check the websites for your local museums and cultural destinations and see what's on the calendar.

Get Outside

Are you avid fans of the outdoors? Why not plan a day trip for you and your newest half to a cool destination? Look for local historical hot spots. Maybe climb a Colorado Fourteener. Take a Nordic ski trip. Drive to see some waterfalls or hidden arches in the desert. There's something within hours of your locale - get in the car and go!

For the Bookworms

Every town has a few independent book stores. They usually have calendars featuring upcoming events as well. Why not head to an author's talk or book signing on a subject sure to get your other half all-a-flutter? You can walk the stacks, walk away with a new tome and share something intellectual.

Get Your Geek On

Are you both avowed "geeks?" Why not check out the local trivia and pub quiz circuit in your locale? May cities have Geeks Who Drink events and other pubs and taverns host similar trivia nights. It's a great way for your competitive spirit to come out to play.

Take a Lesson

Maybe you can't paint and she can. Or vice versa. Try an afternoon outing like going to a ceramics painting studio or taking a class at the local rec center or even your nearby REI. Try something new, share some laughs and broaden your horizons. Who knows - you might find something you enjoy doing together (or agree to never do again!).

Build a Scavenger Hunt

Lead your new love on a three or four stop tour to a cool destination. Put together a list of clues and offer to act as the chauffeur. Then, it's in your other half's hands to tell you where to go to collect the next clue and guide you to the ultimate destination! Combine any of the ideas above and build your very own adventure. It's simple, won't break the bank and bound to pique your other half's curiosity!

Okay, online dating isn't rocket science, but if you're planning on giving it a real go then there are a few things that you can do beforehand to give yourself the best shot at success. By success I am referring to finding love, though I suppose you could apply these to finding whatever it is you want, because let's face it; success in online dating to some is finding the ideal sex partner and nothing more.

Getting Ready for Online Dating

Think about what you really want. You need to know whether you're looking to find love or some casual fun because you'll need to choose a category for your profile when you start dating online. Being sure of what you want will also help you choose the category to browse so you're more likely to find those who are looking for the same things, i.e. long term relationships, casual dating, etc.

Choose a great profile picture. Yes, it's terrible that society bases so much importance on looks as opposed to what's inside, but it happens. You don't need to be a supermodel to find love online and you don't need any professional 8x10 glossies either; just a good picture of yourself as you look right now-not ten years ago. It is a proven fact that dating profiles with pictures get viewed more than those without which ups your chances of meeting someone. Choose a picture that shows you off and that you're proud of. One that is very natural and almost shows your personality is the best bet. Your online dating profile is, after all, your first impression so make it a great one!

Open your mind up nice and wide. Preparing yourself for online dating and making the absolute most of the experience really will require keeping an open mind. This means canning any preconceived notions or hang ups you may have about the whole online dating thing as well as any that you may have when it comes to people. Without lowering your standards and settling, you need to try to keep an open mind as to the different types of amazing people out there who may not necessarily fit the 'type' that you normally date or think you need to date. Height, weight, hair color and boob size hardly dictates a good match! Be willing to try new things and people and you'll have a lot of fun and a lot better luck at finding someone great.

Be patient and have fun. Even if you've had it with dating and want to find the love of your life yesterday, you won't get anywhere if you're not willing to have some fun and be a little patient. You can't hurry love, my friend! Enjoy the dates you go on and the new experiences that online will bring and be ready to laugh off the bad dates, should you have any. No one stops you from having fun but you!

Now you're ready for online dating and all the fun that it can be!

As much time as you can spend talking to someone before meeting them, there’s no way to know for sure that the person you’ve agreed to meet for a date is really on the up and up. While most people you meet through online dating are genuine and harmless, the possibility of ending up with a bad apple does exist which is why you need these online dating safety tips. Remember that these tips aren’t meant to scare you or put you off of meeting people with online dating, but rather just to help you get the most out of your experience without putting yourself at risk.

Safety First

Chances are that someone you chat with online will prove themselves as date-worthy, making you want to meet them face-to-face. This is a great thing! But...you need to be smart about it and always put safety first. Enough time spent on the phone or messaging back and forth with someone can really help you get to know them so they hardly feel like a stranger when the time comes to meet, but you need to remember that until you have had some time live with the person, they are indeed still a stranger. This means using some common sense when getting together just in case this stranger ends up being a dud, a dude (who’s supposed to be a woman!) or even a serial killer! Here are the online dating safety tips that will keep you out of harm’s way:

•Never disclose your private information until you have really, truly gotten to know someone. This means your home phone number or address, place of business etc. You don’t want any dates-gone-wrong knowing where to find you once you’ve decided that you don’t want to see them again.

•Stick to meeting in public places until you’ve gotten to know each other better. Choose places like cafes, restaurants and bars and NOT parks, parking lots, or a residence.

•Always have your own ride or cab fare when meeting someone new. The last thing you want to do is get into a stranger’s car or have them get into yours. Have your own ride home arranged before you meet and be prepared to say no if they ask for a ride. You’re not being mean or rude, you’re just being safe!

•Leave if you’re feeling uncomfortable or threatened. Listen to your gut and leave if something just feels off about your date. You’re not obliged to stay anywhere that you don’t want to. Be courteous and bow out gracefully to avoid confrontation.

•Always tell someone where you’re going and if you can, who you are going with. This way someone will know to check in should you take longer than expected or not return. It may seem extreme but it’s an easy way to help keep you safe.

•Don’t think that you’re invincible. Men and women alike have the tendency of thinking that they can handle anything and anyone that comes their way and are quick to laugh off advice about online dating safety, but these tips will make your life a lot easier whether a date turns out to be truly unsavory or just someone that you have zero interest in and never want to see again.