Five Experts Share Their Very Best Piece of Online Dating Advice

Online dating is so ingrained in our cultural dating roadmap that it isn’t so much a question of whether you want to start online dating as when you’re going to give it a try. Maybe you’re just dipping your toe in the waters, maybe you’re back on apps after a breakup, or maybe you’ve been doing it forever and suspect you could be having a better time of it. 

If you aren’t sure where to begin, what “rules” you’re supposed to follow, or are looking to get more matches, check out these five  experts’ number-one piece of advice for online dating. We could use all the help we can get, right?

Meet up in a public place

For the first date or two, avoid going somewhere private with your date. Instead, meet at a public place where there are plenty of people around, like a restaurant, cafe, skating rink, or another place where there’s typically a good crowd. In the event that you feel uncomfortable, there will be other people around who can help. Additionally, this gives a family member or friend the opportunity to be present or in the vicinity should something go wrong.
As another great tip, if you visit a bar or restaurant, let a bartender or waitress know if things aren’t going right on your date through code. Some bars have secret codes like asking for an “Angel Shot” that guests could use to notify a staff member that something’s off-key.

Put yourself into a dating mindset.

“When building your profile and looking for potential dates, your mindset should follow what you’d like the outcome to be. Whether you’re looking for a long-term relationship, a hookup, or something in between, let your mind consider the result you wish to achieve so that your profile vocabulary and tone match.”

Stay sober

One big mistake that people tend to make while meeting an online date is drinking without being mindful that their date might not have the best intentions. As almost 50 million people online dating today. However, with the landscape of dating changing, it’s still important to keep your safety in mind when meeting with people you don’t know very well.

While women may seem like the only individuals whose safety is at risk, men also need to be cautious with online dating. The National Domestic Violence Hotlinereports that “[m]ore than 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and more than 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime”.

Keep your safety first and foremost. We hope these 10 tips will not only help with your first date but also any dates that follow as you search for your “special someone”.

Use your pictures to make a good impression.

“When choosing a profile photo, look for a picture  in which you have a genuine — not forced — smile and a slight tilt of the head. Research has found that both of these features are related to positive first impressions. Also, if you’re planning to include a group photo on your profile, go for pictures where you’re in the middle and everyone looks like they’re having a good time. After all, you want to give the impression that you’re someone people like to be around.”

Carry pepper spray

Should things go terribly wrong on your date, it’s better to be prepared than not, so consider carrying a can of pepper spray. Hopefully you won’t have to use this, but like the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Also, be sure that you know how to use your pepper spray should you decide to carry it.