Tips

Online dating can be frustrating as well as exciting. Not all of your dates are going to be great. In fact, some may be awful, but these are still good learning experiences and great stories to tell. The most important thing to remember when online dating is to approach it with a sense of fun and light-heartedness.

Because there can be a lot of misunderstandings when you're online dating, I've listed some guidelines for how to create better results and avoid some common mistakes. Remember, your online matches don't know you, so it's important to portray yourself as accurately as possible.

Grammar and spelling. When you create a profile, think of it as a resume. Use complete sentences, spell correctly, and use full words instead of acronyms like LOL. You will look more polished and attractive to potential dates. They will also take you more seriously.

Don't mass email. Even if you have multiple people you'd like to date, don't send them all the same email. Be specific. Read each profile and send separate emails asking questions about their interests, hobbies, the latest place they visited, etc. This goes a long way in attracting a date.

Don't email or call too much before meeting. Cut to the chase so you're not building up unrealistic expectations about your date. Talking briefly on the phone before your first meet-up is fine, but limit your conversations. If you decide you're not attracted when you meet in person, it's easier to go your separate ways.

Don't take down your online profile after the first few dates. Sure, you may feel that you've found the love of your life, but don't remove your profile or expect him to remove his right away. Take your time and date other people. If you want to become exclusive, then have a conversation with him about it. Don't communicate by updating your Facebook status or taking down your profile. Successful relationships come from good communication.

An article in Wednesday's Washington Post features women of different generations talking about what their dating deal-breakers are. While young twenty year-olds have grown up in an age of cell phones, Facebook, texting, and generally looser dating rules, there seems to be some similarity in how women of all ages feel they should be treated on a date. And it's important to note, for most women no matter their age, chivalry goes a long way.

Following are some deal- breakers they pointed out:

A man should pick up the check on the first date. This tradition is still a winner among women of all ages. Most feel a man should woo them, at least on the first date, and part of that is picking up the tab. If a guy is slow in reaching for the check, or if he didn't bring enough cash to cover the bill, it's a problem. So guys, please note that if you want to get to the second date, you may want to bring along a credit card.

Leave phones off. Even if you're busy or are expecting a call from your boss, taking a call while you're on the date is a deal-breaker to many women. So, instead of being tempted and leaving it on the table in front of you, turn it off and put it in your pocket so you won't be tempted.

Don't go Facebook crazy. If you had a good date and want to friend her, that's fine. But don't poke her or try to chat with her every time she logs on. Also, don't post irrelevant things on your wall, or it shows her you have too much time on your hands. Facebook use is good, but don't overdo it.

Know something about pop culture. Women feel the need to connect, and one way is to talk about something you have in common or both enjoy. Whether it's a TV show, movie, or the latest political escapade, show that you've been plugged in enough to know what's going on in the world.

You may be hesitant about choosing photos for your online dating profile. Since this is the first glimpse potential dates will get of you, it's important to look and feel your best. But that doesn't mean posting a photo from 10 years ago or having your friend take a picture of you next to your new car.

In fact, most people gravitate towards pictures that are consistent, clear, and honest, regardless of how photogenic you think you are. Following are some tips to help you make your selection.

Choose current photos. If you don't have any photos taken in the last few months, ask a friend to take some. If you are self-conscious for some reason, like you've gained a lot of weight recently or your hair seems to be thinning, take pictures anyway. It's better to be honest about who you are so that your dates don't feel misled. Would you want to date someone who didn't look like her picture?

Make sure the quality is good. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to decipher a grainy picture. When I was online dating, I would assume the person didn't want me to know what he really looked like, so it was a bit of a turn-off. Make sure you post clear and recent pictures.

Don't hide behind props. Maybe you don't like the way your ears stick out, but please don't wear a hat in every photo. If you post pictures of yourself wearing sunglasses, in hats, behind cars, in costume, or in any other form of disguise, it's a turn-off. People will assume you have something to hide, and you may lose some good prospects.

Take a full body photo. Even if you feel your hips are a little too big or your stomach is bulky, you'll get more responses when you post a full body shot. Attraction varies from person to person, so don't assume everyone will notice the negatives you notice about yourself.

Have fun and post active shots. One of the best ways to attract people searching through online profiles is by posting pictures of yourself doing things you love. If they don't bother to read your profile, at least they can see you like to surf because you posted a picture of you surfing. If you are a musician, post a picture of you performing. This will also help initiate conversation over email.

Though dating can be confusing with a lot of mixed signals from both men and women, there are also a few basic rules of etiquette that have become lost in the past few years. Social networking and online dating have brought the dating world to a whole new level in terms of how many people you can meet, but they have also allowed us to slack in terms of manners. Why be on your best behavior when there might be someone "better" around the corner?

But we should be on our best behavior while dating, if only to leave a good impression. Especially if we want a second date!

Some basic rules:

Guys, do not comment on a woman's body. Even if you think she is hot or has a great figure, please do not tell her when you first meet her. This will give her the impression that you're only interested in her body and in having sex with her. Unless this is true, don't portray yourself to be so shallow.

Offer to pay. This goes for both men and women: it's a classy thing to offer to pick up the check on a first date and level the playing field. Although you may want to feel wined and dined, it's not a man's responsibility to pay for everything. Likewise for the guys: if you offer to pay, you'll look like a gentleman.

Keep the conversation light. Even if you just broke up with your crazy boyfriend or had a hard day at work, he doesn't need to hear about it. First date conversation should be light and fun, putting both parties at ease and leaving on a positive note, instead of feeling emotionally drained.

Do not brag. Even if you just bought a new house on the lake or got a promotion at work, a woman doesn't want to hear your list of accomplishments. This is not the way to make a lasting impression. Women are looking for genuine connection, so try engaging her in conversation and asking questions instead of listing off your impressive resume of qualities.

Follow up. If you really liked her, give her a call! There are no rules about waiting anymore. With texting, it's easy to follow up and let someone know you had a good time. And if you ask her out again? Give her a call and make some real plans. Don't leave her hanging with a vague "we should catch up soon".

Are you looking to impress someone you just met, or looking for a way to meet someone new? Halloween is a great time to mix it up a little and try something different. After all, when is a better time to show off your creativity with a fabulous costume?

If you're looking for new date ideas, or places to meet other singles this time of year, here are some suggestions:

Go on a hayride. There are plenty of romantic activities to take part in this month, and a great one is the old-fashioned hayride. Usually during Halloween, they are themed to be scary---a good excuse to cling to each other in the dark. Check your local listings to see where they are offered. If this isn't an option because you're an urban dweller, check out a local haunted house.

Thanks to online dating, it's easy these days to filter out qualities we don't want from ones we do. If you're a vegan and only want to date other animal-friendly types, you can make that part of your search filter.

But are you limiting your options? If you're interested in sports and have only been looking for similar-minded types to date, you may be missing out on some great people who could introduce you to other potential interests, like travel or cooking. After all, you can enjoy some things with your friends, and other activities with a partner. It's not necessary to have so much in common.

Here are some guidelines for expanding your dating search:

Are you willing to try new things? If you're a person who is set in his ways, it may be a lot harder to accept differences in others, but is finding someone exactly like you working out? Try loosening up a bit and going outside of your comfort zone to expand your dating circle. You may be surprised at who you meet and what you can enjoy together.

Does your hobby take up all of your time? For example, if you enjoy playing video games to the point where that's all you do when you come home after work, be open to putting it aside. You must make time to find a new relationship because it won't just come to you.

Can you enjoy your hobby on your own? If you love riding horses but a potential partner prefers to spend his weekends sailing, it's ok to do your own thing and meet up later. Don't feel obligated to like everything your partner likes to do; it's almost impossible for most people. Instead, respect your individual interests, and meet up later to do the things you enjoy doing together.

Can you accept another person's differences? If you are intolerant of your partner's love of steak because you are a strict vegetarian, you may want to reconsider. Just because you have different preferences and ways of looking at the world doesn't mean you should impose your belief system or practices on him. If you are willing to respect each other's likes, dislikes, or practices, the better chance your relationship has of growing and lasting.