You’ve gone on a few dates with the person and you’re starting to get some sparks. It’s time to ask them out, but you don’t want to come across as too forward or pushy. Here are 8 tips to improve your dating app etiquette.
Dating services apps present an opportunity for men and women to meet offline in ways that were unthinkable just a few years ago. But while many of us have embraced online dating, there are still plenty of people who are hesitant about it. Some people are concerned about privacy issues, while others are worried about their safety. However, if you follow these eight rules, you should be able to navigate the waters of online dating without any worries.
1. Don’t make assumptions
We all know how difficult dating can be. You may have been single for a long time, so you’re used to going on dates where nothing happens. You might even think you’ll never find love again, so you keep putting off the inevitable until one day you realize you’re ready to give up hope. If you’re looking for something serious, you need to take things slowly and not jump into anything too soon. The last thing somebody wants is to feel pressured by someone they’re meeting online. If you’ve been on a number of dates in a short period of time, chances are this person will be feeling the same way.
Be honest with yourself and admit when you’re being too eager. This goes double for first-time users. You shouldn’t expect someone to go out with you and then expect them to stay around after a couple of weeks. Take a breath and slow down before you make any drastic moves. Once you get to know each other better, you’ll be able to gauge whether or not you both want to see each other again.
2. Be prepared to pay
If you’re going out on a date that requires more than the usual expenses, make sure you budget accordingly. That doesn’t mean you should spend money carelessly, but you should be aware that you could end up spending more than expected. This is especially true for those who aren’t familiar with the area they live in. There’s no sense in getting dressed up only to find out that you won’t be able to get home safely because you’ve got a long walk ahead of you. Before you agree to go somewhere, ask yourself whether or not you can afford the cost of dinner and drinks. If you can’t, don’t worry – there are plenty of apps that offer payment solutions.
3. Never send any nude photos
This is one of the most obvious points, but it needs to be said nonetheless. Sending nudes to someone else is a major violation of trust. If you do decide to share nudes with someone, make sure you’re comfortable doing so. You wouldn’t go through the trouble of sending nudes if you didn’t believe the person would reciprocate. Remember: it’s okay if you don’t want to send nudes at first, but you should always ask permission before you do. If you don’t, you run the risk of violating personal space and creating a negative impression.
4. Always respect boundaries
It’s important to remember that every relationship has its own set of rules. Before you start talking about future plans, you need to discuss the terms of the arrangement beforehand. Do you intend to move in together? How many children do you plan on having? How often will you communicate with each other? These questions need to be answered early on in the process. Don’t assume that because you’re “exclusive” with someone that means you’re allowed to talk about past relationships and hookups. Boundaries are very important, and they need to be respected.
5. Understand that you’re responsible for your actions
No matter what kind of partner you choose, you’re ultimately responsible for your actions. If you break someone’s heart or treat them like crap, you will face consequences. No matter how much you want to blame someone else for your missteps, you can’t. When you go on a date, you’re giving consent to whatever happens next. Whether you like it or not, you’re taking responsibility for your actions. Even if you’re drunk, you’re still making decisions about how you behave. As long as you act responsibly, you should be able to enjoy a night out with a new partner.
6. Take your time
Don’t rush the relationship. Sure, it’s natural to want to get to know someone right away. After all, you’ve spent enough time trying to meet someone in real life, so why would you wait for them to show up online? We all want to know that we’re compatible with the person we’re seeing, so it makes sense to try to figure it out quickly. The problem is that sometimes, you just don’t click with someone right away. Maybe they seem boring, maybe they don’t seem interested. It could even be something as simple as the fact that they’re just not your type. If you’re getting along well, though, then it’s probably worth waiting to see if you really connect over some casual conversation. Just make sure that you don’t let the pressure from outside forces dictate your behavior.
7. Know when to leave
Some relationships work out great, while others fall apart almost immediately. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell which direction things are headed. You might feel like you’re wasting your time, but there comes a point where you need to say goodbye. If you’re not 100% sure that you want to continue pursuing this person further, then you need to cut ties. The sooner you come to this realization, the easier it will be to avoid disappointment later on. This also applies if things get awkward. You might want to stick around to make sure things don’t get worse, but once you notice that things have gotten uncomfortable, you need to end the conversation and leave. Make sure you respect the other person’s feelings before doing so. If you’re not sure what to say, just apologize and thank them for giving you another chance. If you’re feeling nervous, this is a good time to practice your exit line.
8. Keep track of what happened
You don’t want to become bitter over a failed relationship. Even if you’re happy that the two of you broke up, you still need to learn from your mistakes. What went wrong? Did you make any bad choices? Was it something you did that was completely innocent? Whatever the case may be, it’s important to remember what you learned so that you’re able to prevent similar situations in the future. Keeping a journal is a good way to do this. You can write down everything that happened during your relationship, and you can refer back to it whenever necessary.
