Dating tips UK - free top five online

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You can look for dating tips from your friends, your mother, the scriptures or the back of toilet doors but in reality no one knows the best way to go about getting, and keeping, a date.

Each situation is different and when you find that one true love your thumping heart, butterfly-ridden stomach and sweaty palms will be more of a concern than trying to remember what that 'relationship-advisor' on Oprah said about asking someone out.

For what it's worth we add our own top five dating tips here:

1. Set yourself up for disappointment. It may sound cruel but you need a thick skin on the dating scene. If you find your chat up lines dont necessarily wow a girl at the bar you may need to polish your prose before trying them again on the Internet. And don't expect every blind date to turn into a walk up the aisle. Finding a soulmate takes time and effort.

2. Don't appear desperate. No one wants to hear on a first date that you're anxious about your body clock whirring along, that you haven't had a date in ten years or that your mother is putting pressure on you to settle down. Even if these things are true they're a sure-fire way to scare off any happy dater and anyway, you'll have plenty of time to discuss them on later dates if you can just get over the first few dating hurdles.

3. Make an impression. Whether you're planning to place a personal ad, pick up a date online or ask a colleague, friend or total stranger out you've got to make an impression to get them to notice you. You've got to convince them you've got character, an interesting mind and an appealing lifestyle. The worst thing you can do is just blend in with the crowd.

4. Be specific about what you want but realistic in your expectations. Looking for a French millionaire with a heart of gold and a love of fossils may limit your choices but if you can settle for a successful European business man with the same two traits you're more likely to hit the jackpot. Once you know which bits are really important to you don't settle for less. With a little effort you can find the date of your dreams.

5. Stay safe. By nature, a first date is a risk as you're usually going out with someone you barely know. Play it safe by meeting in a public place, insisting on making your own way there and back and by telling a friend where you're going, who you're meeting and what time you'll be home.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Dating Tips