There’s lots of advice on how to handle the issue of an ex when starting a new relationship, but let’s keep to the basics for now. How do you handle an ex on the first date?

1. Don’t talk about your ex on a first date. Simple enough, huh? Well, it’s the biggie. Never bring up an ex on a first date.
2. Do acknowledge an ex if directly asked. Some people go so overboard with number one that they come off way too secretive. It’s fine that you have a dating life previous to this person, or otherwise you might seem very unappealing. (more…)

   Posted by Justin | No Comments »

Andrea was someone I dated while in graduate school. She attended a different college where she played basketball. She was tall and good looking, but I think slightly out of her mind.

We met online, and talked for a couple of weeks before finally meeting. During this time, I learned that she had recently ended a serious relationship because the guy was not interested in settling down. Not a good sign that she’s on the rebound, but not a bad sign that she’s interested in settling down. I’m no mother hen, but nor have I ever been much of a “player,” as the cool kids are so fond of saying these days. Regardless, she seemed pretty excited about going out and I have to admit–so was I.

We finally did meet and go out a couple of times. Dates were good. She was pretty. I was charming. She said I was basically the perfect guy (I don’t let such flattery go to my head–most days). Things seemed to be going really well until she called me up one day and said she was too busy to go out. I know as well as anyone that “too busy” often translates into “too uninterested.” Still, no rule is universal and things seemed to turn on a dime pretty quick. I decided to give it some time and see what came of things. (more…)

Posted by Justin | No Comments »

At some point you will have to reevaluate your subscription to an online dating site. Has the $20-40 a month been worthwhile? Why, or why not? If you don’t put some effort into it, as with anything, you won’t get much value out of it. Even sites like eHarmony that do a lot of the leg work for you still require you chip in some assistance.

The most obvious reason to cancel your subscription is if you meet someone. Obviously, it is in poor taste to continue shopping around while beginning a relationship. That doesn’t mean cancel after a first date, but if you’re seeing a personal several times a week, then maybe it’s for the best to put the account on “hold,” a feature many services allow. (more…)

Posted by Justin | No Comments »

Every site, including relationship sites, will make you create some form of a profile. This is basically the personal ad for others to see, and it varies from site to site what information will appear on there. There are, however, some universal guidelines to apply to crafting your profile.

• Don’t Lie
  If you live with your parents and are 5″6′, don’t lie and say you have your own condo in Florida and are 6″3′. If you ever expect your online flirting to turn into a real world rendezvous, then you have to realize they will discover your “slight” exaggerations. (more…)

  Posted by Justin | No Comments »

When it comes time to meet, many online daters begin to panic. Sure, the relative anonymity that online flirting brings is a blast, but doesn’t it have to progress? Evolve? Become real?

The answer to those questions is–maybe. Many people get on dating sites mostly to flirt and see what’s out there. In the past year Match.com launched a new ad campaign telling potential customers that “it’s okay to look.” So, there is definitely a segment of the population that is more interested in seeing than doing.

For everyone else, the question is what’s the most appropriate way to meet? If you’re a veteran of blind dates then some of this advice might not be true. The trick is to realize that people lie, and to prepare yourself for it. Just because someone presents themselves one way online, does not mean reality will reflect that image. (more…)

Posted by Justin | No Comments »

One of the important distinctions to make when shopping for an online dating service is what exactly are you looking for? If you’re looking for a fun date for the weekend, then a relationship site, such as eHarmony, is probably not the right site for you. So what’s the difference?

A dating site is fairly self-explanatory. It’s a meat market, with you searching through thousands of personals and refining your search by such criteria as eye color and education level. You’ll surely meet more singles through it, but compatibility will be almost entirely up to your own intuition. (more…)

Posted by Justin | No Comments »