The Dos and Don'ts of Online Dating

Other than the somewhat self-explanatory, stay-safe and don't-meet-your-date-in-a-dark-and-spooky-out-of-the way-location advice, it's difficult to navigate the world of online dating; it can feel like a minefield.

It ISN'T a minefield - in fact far from it - but some do's and don'ts to get you started won't go amiss.

DO invest time in your profile to get it right. 

DO a little research - it could even be helpful to browse the site and see what sort of vibe other people your age are giving out. This way you can get the lay of the land.

DON'T use a selfie as your profile photo! It suggests you have no real photos, and gives any potential suitors absolutely no clues about your life offline.

DON'T lie, fib, misrepresent, mislead, falsify etc etc. Use current photos and be as honest as you'd want someone to be to you. If you want this to go somewhere, you should be upfront from the outset.

DON'T be afraid to make the first move. DON'T wait for someone you're interested in to message you first! 

DO create your first message to someone carefully. Make sure it's personal to them and the information in their profile, and double check the spelling and grammar. 

DON'T to reply every message that comes your way - if you're not interested there is no point wasting your, or anyone else's, time.

DON'T let a failed date let you down. Yes, you might get stood up or dumped on the 5th date; that possibility exists. But if you don't put yourself out there you'll never get anything back. 

DON'T expect too much. Again, this helps you to feel less disappointed if things don't work out. 

DO consider dating someone who isn't your usual type. Maybe that's where you were going wrong in the first place anyway... Keep an open mind!

DON'T stay chatting online with someone for too long before meeting them. If you want this to progress into a real relationship, you'll need to know ASAP if there's a genuine spark between you.

And when the date actually happens...

DO meet in a public place. Well-lit, busy... You get it.

DO be on time. DO be clean. DO be sober. Simple rules of etiquette, but these make all the difference when you're meeting someone for the first time.

DO enjoy yourself! Dating doesn't need to be and isn't supposed to be a terrifying experience. Just think of it as an opportunity to learn new things about people you may not have met otherwise. Approaching it with a positive mindset can make a world of difference.

DON'T go for dinner on the first date. Make it drinks, make it coffee... Don't make it dinner. You can't escape until the end, and if you decide early on that this person isn't for you, you're in for a loooooong evening.

DO actually get out there and start dating to make the most out of your experience.

Why not?!