Everyone wants to experience the fun of dating, but it doesn’t happen with ease for all. For example, common roadblocks many guys face are nervousness, lack of confidence and composure, not knowing where to start, etc. Therefore is useful to understand that dating seldom happens randomly, and you must be prepared to handle all aspects of it.
This article features the most commonly searched phrases on the Internet. The dating for dummies guide at hand (based on Dr. Joy Browne’s book of the same name) lists a blueprint that should help you get a girlfriend in no time.
Read on to get your dating basics right!
Get Ready To Look Your Best
People are visual creatures, so when it comes to first impressions, although not crucial, physical appearance does play an important role.
Preparation for your Saturday night date starts long before the night arrives, and we have the latest tips on what you can do to LOOK your best:
Personal hygiene comes first
I can’t stress enough how important it is to be clean. Most women have a great eye for details, so your greasy hair and an unintentional, 3-day-old stubble aren’t going to fly.
Daily showers and fresh, clean clothes are a must. Brush your teeth three times a day or even more often if you are a smoker because there is no bigger turn-off than having stinky breath.
Choose the right clothes
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so don’t stress too much about your body type and shape. After all, we are all attractive in our own way.
What you should focus on is looking your best. You don’t need a dating guru to tell you that you should pick the clothes that suit you best for a first date.
Depending on the location and activity, choose casual or more formal attire, but always make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle-free.
It’s also important to feel comfortable on your night out, so choose light, breathable materials that won’t show your nervous sweating.
Fragrances and accessories
Most women are obsessed with fragrances. A nice perfume or a subtle cologne adds the final touch to a great outfit. They make great conversation starters and will earn you a few genuine compliments.
You can add an accessory or two, such as a nice watch or a belt that goes with your shoes, just to show sophistication and good taste.
Be confident
Be confident in your qualities and what you bring to the table. Ladies love assertive men.
It is hard to miss when a lady is truly into you. From body language to how she smiles and talks with you – you will know when a lady is up for a second date.
If she’s interested in what you are saying and she’s talking back and picking up the conversation, she probably likes what she sees and hears. And you better be there to back it up by being confident and self-assured.
Show your true colors
Dating sites are a great starting point for meeting new people. However, if you feel comfortable behind the keyboard, you can easily slip into a different persona and pretend to be something you are not.
But meeting a girl in person can ruin the image she created for you if you aren’t the same person she thought you were.
The best way to stay out of trouble is to be yourself.
Where to Meet Women
Don’t you wish inviting girls on a date was as simple as going out with your friends? Well, it can be, but it takes a bit of practice, and that can happen faster if you spend time at the right places with the right people.
Here’s how you can increase your chances of scoring a first or even a second date:
Through friends and family
If every dating site you’ve been on failed you, maybe it’s time for a different type of “social networking.”
Your friends and family are the people that know you best and often know the type of girl that you’d go for. So why not ask someone you trust to arrange a blind date for you and some of their female friends you may have a good chance at hitting it off with?
At school/work
Yes, I’m aware work may not be the best place for dipping your toes into a new romance, but it’s also no secret that many guys find girls with similar interests in their workplace.
On the other hand, school or college are two places where young love usually happens. So if you are a shy, inexperienced guy in high school, don’t fret because most girls won’t be dating pros either. You can check this online dating guide for introverts.
Though local events and functions
Worship places, book clubs, dances, fairs – there is a large variety of activities you can do and attend to find potential dates and get back on the dating scene.
Meeting women at such events means that, besides the chemistry, you feel, you can bond over a mutual interest, such as your love for books, dancing, or even the religion you share.
At the gym/yoga/dance class
You may not find a “happily ever after” mate at the gym, but meeting someone interesting who is potential girlfriend material is not unheard of.
As long as you are not the creepy gym bro and act normal around other gymgoers, you can always approach a cute girl and lead in with a small talk conversation.
Bars and nightclubs
Another fantastic way to meet single women is by exploring the vibrant nightlife scene. Bars and nightclubs provide a fun and relaxed atmosphere where people can socialize, dance, and enjoy themselves. In these lively settings, it’s easier to strike up a conversation and connect with others who are also looking to meet new people.
If you need some guidance on the best venues to check out, visit Brian’s blog, www.americandatingguides.com, for recommendations on top spots across the country. With the right approach and a bit of confidence, you may just find your perfect match during a night out on the town.
Use Dating Sites with Caution
Technology has opened up many doors, and it is common for people to meet online first. Make full use of trusted dating portals, as they will likely get you a date faster.
However, not everyone you meet online is trustworthy, and it is very easy for imposters to trap unsuspecting users.
These tech tips would come in handy:
- Use dating sites you can trust, such as:
- Dating.com
- Your Christian Date
- Adult Friend Finder
- International Cupid
- Do not share your details with someone you’ve just met online. Some messaging apps allow you to chat without revealing your number or location. Don’t fall into the pitfalls of sext chatting; see the most common sexting mistakes.
- It is a clear red flag if the potential date you met online gets into financial topics too early.
- Do not stalk your date on all the social media apps in the early days of dating. Nobody likes a creep. Let things grow organically and wait for the time she’s ready to let you in her world.
- Meet your online date in a public place and let a family member or friend know where you will be and with whom.
- Do not post everything about you and your date online.
- Stop window shopping once you start dating. There is no end to who is available; it will only make you feel bad. It’s better to give your date your full attention and make the most of it.
Online Dating Tips to Remember
It CAN work!
This is for all the skeptics out there. If you think online dating is a huge waste of time, then you couldn’t possibly be more wrong.
These services can and do work out for many people involved. Hundreds of success stories exist with people having met their perfect matches on these services.
All you have to do is be patient. It might not happen immediately, but if you are open to it and know what you want, you are bound to find it eventually.
…but it doesn’t always work out
On the other hand, this fun fact is for all hopeless romantics. If you think dating will get your disaster-of-a-love-life together, you might be in for a rude shock.
Yes, we just said that dating does work, but not for everyone. Sometimes it is just not meant to be.
Understanding this point is important if you do not want to end up completely crushed and disappointed. The best thing to do is to have a cautiously optimistic attitude. Hope for the best but also expect the worst.
Do not put all your eggs in one dating service
There are hundreds of international dating sites out there, and they all cater to different relationship needs.
Trying out multiple services would probably be best if you are interested in dating. You should know that there is a dating service for everyone: vegan dating sites, mature dating, Latina dating, you name it!
The main reason for this is to broaden your horizons. Active profiles on multiple sites, including international sites for dating Asian singles, significantly increase your chances of finding the perfect match.
With most services, it’s basically like a second job
Dating is not all fun, games, and happily ever afters. You will have to put in the work if you hope to be successful!
You need to set up and maintain an interesting profile and take the time to go through hundreds of other profiles to find people you might be interested in. Once you find these people, you still have to invest time and energy into communication to get to know them better. It isn’t easy, but it is worth it. And also a lot easier than traditional dating.
However, if you do not want to turn your love life into a part-time job, you could invest in premium matchmaking dating services. In this case, all you do is sign up, fill in a few questionnaires and let experts do the heavy lifting. That saves you time and energy but will cost you money.
Take your time
There is no need to rush anything with online dating. The slower you take it, the better your chances of success.
Taking it slow allows you to meet numerous people and get to know them before taking the next step. It also saves you time. How? You don’t have to invest emotions and time in Mr. or Mrs. Wrong only to be disappointed when it doesn’t work out.
Be honest about what you want
People use online dating services for different reasons. Some want to find the love of their lives, settle down and live happily ever after. Others want a casual fling or a hookup just to pass the time. Some are just curious about what is out there. What are your reasons?
Answering this question and staying true to yourself is one of the best ways to get the most out of online dating. To avoid disappointment or misunderstandings, being transparent with those interested in you is important.
Do not share more than you should
For successful dating, you need to be willing to be open and vulnerable. However, this doesn’t mean you give your heart to everyone who swipes right or likes your profile.
It is important to exercise restraint, especially regarding the information you share. So, don’t go and divulge your deepest darkest secrets to someone without getting to know them first.
Remember that you owe no one anything
Online dating will be challenging if you have a problem saying no to people. That is because you will receive attention and interest from people you might not feel the same about.
In this case, it is important to remember that you do not owe anyone anything. You don’t have to go out on a date or meet up simply because someone asked, and you don’t want to hurt their feelings.
Beware of the shady characters out there
One of the most important things you need to know as a newbie in dating is that not everyone on these sites is genuine. There are a lot of shady characters.
Some are out to play with your emotions; others are after your money. It is therefore very important to be cautious when interacting with strangers on these sites.
How to Ask a Girl Out for the First Time
So you like this girl but are unsure how to ask her out? The first thing to remember is that it is not the end of the world if she says no.
Do not take it as a judgment of your personality, as there can be many other reasons. However, you do want to ask in a manner that gives you the best shot at it.
Here are a few tips when asking a girl out for the first time:
Timing
Avoid Monday, Friday, and Saturday evenings for a first date. Keep it somewhere in the middle of the week, preferably on a Wednesday or Thursday. Also, for whichever day you plan it, do not ask on a Monday, as people aren’t in the best of moods transitioning from weekend to work mode.
Give her time and options
Ask a few days in advance so that she does not feel hurried into it. Also, offer her a few options in terms of when to go and what to do. This gives you a better chance of acceptance, and you project yourself as someone who plans his life well.
Maybe she likes you but is playing hard to get.
Ask them out in person
Asking for a date via text or IM is a big mistake. Asking in person is the best bet, but in case that is not possible, do call her up. There is nothing to be scared of and being straightforward is something that goes well with women.
Keep it short
Cut out the unnecessary details. A short sentence that answers what and when is more likely to have her full attention. You can get to the details later.
Tips for Meeting for the First Time
It may not seem like it at first but getting a date is the easy part. Thanks to articles like these that tell you how to get a girlfriend for dummies, you will get a date sooner or later.
The real deal is making her comfortable and projecting yourself as someone she would want to see again. You may need tips to not be awkward on your first date.
These proven techniques of how to date for dummies give you the best chance of taking it to the next level:
Pick and drop
This is an age-old tip from the eternal book of chivalry. Even if you have to go out of your way, there’s nothing like picking up your date and dropping her back afterward.
Dress to impress
There is a lot of talk about how looks do not matter, but in the dating world, it does. Shave (or groom your beard and hair) on the day and pick an outfit that is on the formal side.
Eye contact
It goes for anyone you are conversing with. Maintaining eye contact says you are not distracted by anything else, and your partner has your full attention.
Active involvement
Pay attention to every word she says. It might take them a while to open up, but women love men who listen to them patiently.
Make them comfortable and nod periodically to indicate you are still focused on her. Be an active participant and be sure to ask a question or two about what she previously said – it’s a strong indication that you have been paying attention.
Enjoy the date
A date is not an examination. You do have to tighten a few things up in your personality but do not act out of character – she will catch it eventually. Do not try too hard to be composed – it shows, and you end up sailing two boats.
Do not get too personal
It is natural to talk about personal lives but draw a line. Do not probe deep, as it can make things awkward. If your lady starts sharing things from her family life and previous relationships, be a good listener but do not be overly inquisitive unless she asks for your opinion.
Follow up
Your first date does not end with you two saying goodbye to each other. A follow-up text saying you had a good time is a subtle indication of your interest in seeing each other again. In case you were not able to drop her home, text her to make sure she got back safely.
It’s never that serious, so have fun!
Finally, remember always to have fun. Meet women, and new people, make new friends, and make this an adventure. Dating will work for you in time, so do not stress yourself waiting for The One.
How to tell if a girl likes you
Here are some of the most common tell-tale signs that a girl is falling for you:
- She wants to introduce you to her friends and family.
- Your conversations are not a one-way street. She picks up right where you left off.
- She makes sure you are comfortable around her.
- She is nervous and shy in your company, and you catch her blushing all the time.
- Her body language gives her up (leans forward, unintentional touches)
- You notice she remembers every detail from your conversations.
- You catch her staring at you whenever your eyes meet.
- She puts effort into looking great for you (does her hair, makeup, nails, wears new, more feminine clothes, maybe)
- She finds ways to let you know she is single and ready to mingle.
- She makes time for you and reschedules every missed date/appointment.
How to Get Girls for Dummies – Final Thoughts
Dating can be fun and rewarding, and online dating definitely has its fair share of perks and risks. The only way to ensure that you get through the experience unscathed is by being informed and prepared.
You should also learn how to introduce yourself on a dating app to get more chances of a response.
Whether you are looking to test the waters or seeking a long-term and healthy relationship, this dating guide for dummies will help you get started and hopefully help you get a girlfriend.
We hope you can make the most of online dating services, whether looking for love abroad or in your backyard.
Happy dating, and good luck with getting a girlfriend!
