It’s the ‘shoot your shot’ season, and we must agree that the shots have been turning to something great, as we have been seeing more and more testimonials online these days.
While we are always ready to share your wonderful stories and weddings, we would want to state the dos and don’ts of online dating, for anyone thinking of accepting or shooting ‘shot’.
And, online dating is defined as the practice of searching for a romantic or sexual partner on the Internet, typically via a dedicated website, but now more common through social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) platforms.
Here are the Dos of Online Dating:
1. Get to know the person as well you can via messages before deciding to take things further. With all the information that’s on their profile, it’s easy to get a conversation going, even if you’re the shy and introvert type.
2. Be prepared for a letdown. Not everyone will agree to a spark or want to continue to explore the relationship.
3. Be honest from the first message.
4. Always be sure to have enough money to cover your dates. Don’t go thinking the other person will foot the entire bill.
5. Meet in public places. This isn’t cliché. Even if they are not some form of freak, it is easy to ward off sexual advances in public.
6. Make sure a friend or family member knows about your meeting when you eventually decide to meet.
7. Use your own transportation. Don’t be at the mercy of a total stranger, and don’t divulge too many personal information too soon. Including where you live.
8. Be polite even if they don’t look like what you expected.
9. Pay attention to details, including the hygiene, manner of approach, how they talk to you and to other people at the date. All these information matters.
10. A thank you message and your thoughts about the date should be sent to the person. There is nothing worse than wanting to know how a date went, and the person not saying anything.
The Don’ts of Online Dating include:
1. Don’t chat online for a long time when you haven’t met them. It’s tempting to want to keep chatting, but why chat for long only to be disappointed when you do meet up. It’s better to meet up once a form of connection happens. Save yourself the disappointment and time.
2. Meet at home for the first date. Agreeing to meet at either person’s house on a first date is totally a No. The chances of something sexual happening is high, and the chances of it ruining the relationship are also super high.
3. Don’t send indecent photos to someone you haven’t even met. While it’s tempting to want to share your sexy photos, sending them to a total stranger is a high risk. They could send it around or even post on their social media platforms.
4. Don’t be late on a date. It’s rude and you might even end up not having a chance to meet them. Except of course its caused by an unforeseen circumstance, in which case you should reach out immediately.
5. Don’t wear revealing clothes. Leave something to the imagination.
6. Don’t bring a friend, family member or pet to date. If they have to be there, they can be at the place and close by, not with you and your date.
7. Don’t blow up their phones with messages after the date. Relax and don’t come across as too clingy.
8. Don’t expect too much, be open-minded.
9. Don’t make it about your ex, even if they asked what happened, give a short concise answer as “We just didn’t work”.
10. Don’t do anything you are not comfortable with. Look at for yourself and its okay to voice your opinions about anything that makes you uncomfortable.
We hope these help.