Summer dating tips
July 6th, 2009 by ZeeNo, I'm not single and dating, and neither is Andreas. But I came across this press release that I thought I'd share with my single friends out there. Seems like good advice — especially the tip to "stop playing." (As a reporter, I'm often e-mailed press releases filled with tips on this, that and whatever. More often than not, I delete them. But a few, like this one, are worth passing on ... )
Irene LaCota, president of It’s Just Lunch, a specialized dating service for busy professionals, offers these summer dating tips:
• View dating as a chance to increase your circle of friends and enjoy life. That takes away some of the pressure. There is also no better time to go out and meet people than the summer time, when many are out enjoying the longer days and warmer weather and just generally feeling more carefree and open.
• Leave the house! It’s time to admit that he or she isn’t going to find you while you’re sitting on your couch watching summer reruns. Find innovative and unusual places to meet people. Join a club, volunteer or take up a new sport. Summer provides a great opportunity to engage in the outdoor activities that you wouldn’t have the chance to do during colder weather.
• Remain aware and be open to meeting someone everywhere you go. There are many opportunities throughout your regular day to meet someone. Interesting people are all around us, but most of us are so consumed with our busy lives that we rarely take the time to notice. So, while it might take a little practice, look up; consciously try to turn your radar on.
• At least once in a while, you might try to … smile? Trust us, this may sound simple but it works. Whether you are at the zoo or carnival, be aware, keep a friendly smile on your face and do not be afraid to occasionally say hello.
• Embrace your singledom. Think about it: You have the freedom to do anything you want, mingle and meet everyone you want, and learn new things about yourself and others! How cool is that?
• Stop playing. Dating is, and should always be, fun. But it is not about playing games with other people, using clever tactics or making sure you come out on top. There are no winners and losers as far as we’re concerned, so pick another summer sport (we like tennis). Dating responsibly will make it a more enjoyable and less stressful process for everyone.
• Believe in yourself. Everyone gets nervous, especially when meeting someone for the first time. Summer’s skimpier wardrobes don’t always help. But try to have faith in yourself. Self confidence produces the most amazing results in dating because this positive energy attracts an abundance of people who want to meet them.
• Be proactive. Most people know exactly what they want out of their careers and have a clearly defined set of goals. But when it comes to finding a partner, it’s often left to chance. So if you really want to find that special someone, make dating as important as your career. Getting out there and meeting new people is the perfect thing to put on your summer “To Do” list.
Are you single and dating? Have you embraced your "singledom"? Do you have any tips to share with other singles?
Tags: dating, Irene LaCota, It's Just Lunch, summer, tips
July 6th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Yes make sure you don't date or pick a dud of a person!
July 6th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Be in the moment! Try not to think about the future too much!
July 7th, 2009 at 12:00 am
I agree w/ Ray, just gotta be yourself, enjoy your OWN life... how can someone else enjoy life WITH you if you can't enjoy it by yourself.
NEO
July 7th, 2009 at 2:41 am
YES ENJOY YOURSELF ... NEXT THING YOU GET STUCK WITH HORROR STORIES OF SUMMER DATE!
July 7th, 2009 at 2:42 am
yes check your date's wallet..if the guy can't pay for food run run !!!
July 7th, 2009 at 7:31 am
I think dating depends on objectives. Some date to meet people or to have a good time while others date to find a LTR. I think women are smarter in determining those objectives in the first date. If u ask her for a 2nd date and she says yes, u scored. If she says no, she already knows u not the one while u still think there is a chance. I had a few ask me out for a date and today, many go dutch treat. Times have changed. When I was in HS I looked like a 12 year old. I used to get in movies for kiddie prices. It was really hard to date someone my age being 5' 98 pounds. I had a gf in Intermediate school that was one year younger, yet she was taller and heavier than I was. We dated a few times and next thing we are going steady for 8 months. I wasn't looking for a steady, it just happened.
July 7th, 2009 at 7:45 am
smile?...oh good god the guy smile full of rotten tooth! When guy smile you give him the look..OH CREEPY GUY SMILING!
July 7th, 2009 at 7:51 am
well my friend foudn her husbnad doing the penpal thing..I found my husband at the park....I went out with my friend ...WE went to the park and I saw two guys playing football...I am easy going so I go over I ask if I can play..I have two brothers so I am use to asking guys if I can join and play ..so I toss the football better than my husband with spiral twist...I was trying to set him up with my friend because she was single ..but my husband wanted to talk to me..the first thing I noticed was his supper blue eyes and socks so high up to hiis knee wow!...then he says you wanna see my truck ..so I am like a boy hopping around I hop inside check it out..OMG SO CLEAN not even a dust! YUP....
July 7th, 2009 at 7:55 am
so I go home I told my dad ...DAD I MEET A GUY HE HAS A TRUCK..omg my dad freaking out ! SO I invited my husband
to our house my dad furious shaking waiting at the door with me. My husband nervous as can be run over the neighbors lawn while parking..omg! MY DAD JUMPING UP DOWN having fits..lol....!! so four months later we got married end of story..NO I WASN'T PREGNANT..we just did for the hell of it...GET IT OVER WITH WEDDING.
July 7th, 2009 at 7:58 am
yes for some reason I wanted to go to the park and for some reason my husband was at the park...!
July 7th, 2009 at 8:03 am
my friend she didn't have to get out of the house she did the penpal thing ...yes...so whatever comes your way it will just happen. When you are nothing looking you will find the one...hopefully the right one ..
July 7th, 2009 at 8:58 am
I think females and males date with a different mentality. Females are thinking about getting older and not wanting to end up alone, which is also why I have friends who stay in bad relationships. I think they key is to date with confidence; if this one doesn't work out there's always someone else out there. Dating is stressful though - I'm just glad I don't have to go through that anymore.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Thanks for passing on those great tips, Zee! Our conversations during the LLs are even better though!
July 8th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
pink lady - lots of women that date are looking for marriage, kids, the house with the white picket fence. That scares away most guys... lol. I will agree that I gave up the dating scene way too early getting married at 22 when I came home from college. 30 years later, no regrets. Try going out on dates with your spouse... can be just as fun, and then some, hehehe.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:11 am
@appagom - yes, it's true that it scares away lots of guys (probably in their 20s). but at some point males also realize they want the marriage, kids, and house with white picket fence; it just takes them a little longer. i wouldn't say i gave up on dating per se, i just mean dating around to find the right one.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
OH THEY ARE SCARED ..well they can date when they get old and the woman no longer can have kids and white picket fence is replace with old folks home ....make your choice ....
July 9th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I got married an dage 21 have kids at 22 I AM OVER AND DOEN WITH KIDS SO I AM ENJOYIGN MY LIFE NOW....dating my husband out for lunch finally no cryign kids...NO HE IS NOT GETTING SOME.....!
July 9th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
rosette - lol u seem like a lot of fun, make sure hubby pays the tab. Maybe he will get some...
July 9th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Thanks for the comments, everyone! Sorry for being M.I.A. Anyway, you guys crack me up.
Ray, NEO, appagom, pink lady: Those are all great tips and observations. Like you said, pink lady, I'm glad I'm not in the dating scene anymore either. It was fun, but it was stressful too. And like you said, appagom, dating the spouse IS great and then some ...
Shauna: Yes, our lunchtime conversations are awesome. But most of our topics are not appropriate for this blog. Ha, ha.
Rosette: As usual, thanks for making me laugh.