Meet Somebody In One Day On An Online Dating Site

So it’s finally time to meet offline, how exciting!! Minimize your worry (and disappointment) by taking some simple pre-date precautions.

• Aug 25, 2021 eHarmony was one of the pioneers among online dating site options, and - while I haven't personally used this one - we all remember the pitch for online daters, thanks to years of TV commercials.
• It's one thing if he's being a gentleman and doesn't want you to make a long drive out to see him. It's another if he freaks out at the prospect of you being within a 20-mile radius of his home.

Thanks to the internet, people have many more avenues to form intense friendships and romantic relationships than they ever have before. Online dating websites, chat rooms, social media platforms, user groups, and even Craigslist are all places in which people can connect with one another and chat. In many cases, people choose to keep these relationships strictly online. However, if you meet someone online and things really click, you may wish to get to know the person in real life.

This means arranging a meeting.

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If the idea of meeting somebody after chatting with them online makes you nervous, you aren’t alone. The person you are meeting is probably just as anxious as you are. If you can, relax. Even when they go badly, these meet ups are almost never as bad as you imagined. Even better, there are several things you can do to avoid disappointment and ensure that the first meeting is as enjoyable as possible for both of you.

Avoid dinner and a movie.

Even though dinner and a movie are very common choices for a first date, they aren’t ideal. Going to dinner is too intense. You’re looking at an hour or more looking at each other and holding, or attempting to hold a conversation. The problem with going to the movies is the opposite. There’s no interaction, and that means no chance to get to know each other more.

The best first date activities often involve walking, talking, and participating in activities that don’t last too long. Here are a few great first date ideas:

• A trip to the zoo or an amusement park
• Going to a museum
• Visiting a video game arcade
• Bowling or golf

The reason these activities work out so well is they give you and your date the chance to talk with each other, and get to know more about one another. They also give you the opportunity to break up all of that interaction by engaging in other activities. You’re also more likely to see your date’s true personality. When people go out to dinner, they often put on their ‘buttoned down’ personalities.

Have a few phone conversations before meeting in person.

Meet Somebody In One Day On An Online Dating Site Dating Apps

If the thought of your date hearing your voice for the first time makes you nervous, you are not alone. It’s a common fear, driven by the fact that most of us think that our voices sound weird. Don’tmeet up with this hanging over your head. Make arrangements to speak on the phone a few times; it will be one less thing to feel nervous about on your date.

Don’t over (or under) dress.

Don’t make the mistake of letting your expectations influence the way you dress. Do not get too dressed up with the expectation that you can make a better connection or increase your chances. On theother hand, don’t under dress to appear nonchalant. Even if you have had disappointing results in the past, your date deserves a little effort and respect. Rather than making it an issue, dress in something nice that is appropriate for the occasion.

Make sure you’ve discussed your deal breakers before meeting.

This may be the biggest cause of disappointment that there is relating to meeting an online love interest. Know what you want and what you do not want and make those things clear. For example, if you do not make it clear that you want to date an athletic person, and that you are uninterested in a relationship with a smoker, you may be disappointed if your date hates being active and has a pack a day habit. Your date is also likely to be hurt and disappointed as well.

Be a thoughtful date.

First, don’t be late and manage your time; that’s the only way to ensure you don’t have to rush through your meet up. This will give you plenty of time to get to know your date in person. Your date will also start off on a good note if you are on time. In addition to this, stay off of your phone, and don’t steer the conversation to yourself and your interests; be sure to ask your date of themselves as well. It is also a good idea to come prepared to pay your own way.

Tell a friend where you’re going to be.

First, there are obvious safety reasons for doing this. Second, even if you don’t feel as if you are in danger, dates like this can become awkward or tense. If this happens, you can have your friend contact you with an emergency to give you an out; however, this technique should only be used if you feel you must do so to avoid a loud confrontation or an prolonged dialogue about why things aren’t a good fit. If you are simply ready to call it an evening because there’s no connection, be direct about it.

Have realistic expectations.

Yes, every once in a while you will meet somebody who is absolutely lovely online, but completely unbearable in person. For the most part, people aren’t that different when you meet them in person—they may be a little less talkative or a little more outgoing. Don’t go in with an expectation that things will go horribly and that you’ll be disappointed. On the other hand, don’t set the bar too high. There are no guarantees you will fall in love, either. Look at the date as the opportunity to meet somebody that you’re compatible with, nothing more and nothing less.

Don’t Forget to Have Fun

The best way to make a great connection with somebody, or at least enjoy the date is to have fun. Laugh, enjoy yourself, and remember that dating is supposed to be a fun experience. Don’t spend the evening wondering if you are, or are not making a connection. Your date will certainly enjoy spending time with you if they see you enjoying yourself.

About the Author

Laura Callisen is freelance writer and contributor who mostly writes about relationships, parenting and motivation. You can connect with Laura at Facebookor or visit her professional blog.

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Remember that scene in “The Princess Diaries” when Mia’s grandmother, Clarisse Renaldi, the queen of Genovia, gives her etiquette lessons? These included things like not slouching at the dinner table, walking with your head high and your shoulders back, crossing your legs at the ankles instead of the knees, and not waving frantically with your hand.

Mia struggled at first, but she finally got her groove and proved to everyone that she has what it takes to follow in her family’s footsteps. Royals aren’t the only ones who should have good manners, though. We believe people, in general, should as well, especially online daters.

Without being face to face with someone, it’s easy to throw etiquette out the window when you’re online dating, but here are 11 tips for emailing, texting, and calling an online match that are super easy to follow.

Emailing Texting Calling

Online Dating Emailing Etiquette (#1-4)

In addition to a virtual wink here and there, messaging will be the first form of communication you’ll have with a match. This is also probably the most important part of the communication process because this is when he or she will decide if they’re interested in you, so you want to make a good impression. Below are three tips for how to do that.

1. If You’re Sending the First Message, Be Specific & Brief

You might have a lot of things you want to say to your match, but in this case, less is more. If you send them several paragraphs telling your life story and complimenting them, more than likely, they aren’t going to read it all. You want to pick two or three things and then end with a call to action.

Also, it’s vital that you mention details you could only find on their profile. “Hi, my name is Doug. You look really nice in your picture! How are you doing today?” isn’t going to cut it. Try being specific with something like “Hi, my name is Doug. I love that photo of you with your Beagle! I had one growing up, and he was the best dog I’ve ever had. Is yours crazy stubborn like most are? Mine definitely was. I swear there were times when he’d give me the side eye and do the exact opposite of what I told him to do :).”

2. It’s OK to Send a Polite Follow-Up

If you haven’t heard anything in two or three days, don’t feel bad about sending another message. Maybe they haven’t logged on in a while or just overlooked your message. Sending one (and just one!) follow-up is a great way to make sure you show up at the top of their inbox as well.

Sending a second quick message checking in isn’t rude, but if you don’t hear anything after that, it’s probably time to move on. Photo source: BusinessHorsePower.com.

This message should be shorter than the first one but still end with a question or statement that will make them want to reply: “Hey, Madison — just checking in to see if you got my last message. Would you be interested in grabbing coffee sometime? I’d love to swap some Beagle stories with you!”

3. Don’t Wait Too Long to Reply to Someone Else’s Message

We’ve probably all experienced the frustration of texting or IMing back and forth with someone and then all of a sudden they stop being so responsive. Or maybe you can see the dreaded three dots, signaling that they’re texting or typing on the other end, but the text or chat doesn’t come in until several hours later. You don’t want to be the cause of someone’s frustration in online dating, so try to be as prompt as you can with your replies.

For example, if someone messages you in the early evening, and you’re interested in them, make an effort to respond before you go to bed. This doesn’t mean you have to be at their beck and call, but we aren’t busy 24 hours a day, even if it feels like it. You have a moment in there to send a quick message.

4. Use Proper Grammar & Watch Out for Spelling Mistakes

We can’t stress enough how much poor grammar and spelling mistakes are an online dating no-no. And the stats that prove it are shocking — including 48% of singles polled consider this a dealbreaker and poorly written messages are four times more likely to be flagged as fraud.

You don’t have to be a journalist to have mistake-free messages either. You could always have a friend look them over or run them through a tool like the Hemingway app.

Online Dating Texting Etiquette (#5-8)

It’s even more tempting to take shortcuts and loosen up on your manners when you’re texting than when you’re emailing, but resist the urge as much as possible. Texting is a sign that you’ve taken communication with your match to the next level, and you don’t want to blow it.

5. Avoid Long-Winded Texts

Similar to messaging, you don’t want to send a text that’s as long as a Tolstoy novel. If they have to scroll, it’s too long. You’re giving them a lot of information to take in (which means it may take them a while to respond), and it could kill the mood and prevent any kind of cute banter from getting started.

On the flip side, you don’t want to send a series of one- or two-word texts all within a short amount of time. Can. You. Imagine. How. Annoying. That. Would. Be?

6. Never Send Unsolicited Pics

You know what kind of pics we’re talking about. You would think that this doesn’t need to be said, but it does.

If you send an unwanted sext, you’re likely to blow your chances with this person. Photo source: TaoOfIndifference.com.

Unless someone asks you for a photo of your Cyprian scepter or aphrodisiacal tennis court, as they called it in the 1600s, don’t send unsolicited sexts. It’s unbelievably rude, and you’re just opening yourself up to having the person talk about your junk with their friends.

Meeting An Online Date

7. Be Sparing With the Emojis

I love emojis as much as the next person, but they tend to lose their charm the more you use them. You also don’t want him or her to misinterpret what you’re trying to say. Stick to the straightforward ones for now, like the smiley face, until you get to know each other’s humor.

Meet Somebody In One Day On An Online Dating Site For Over 50

8. Again, Don’t Keep Them Waiting Too Long

Earlier, we talked about how annoying it can be when you’re waiting forever for someone to respond to your message, but that feeling is significantly amplified when it’s texting. There isn’t a strict timeline here, but a Business Insider article says no longer than one to three hours. Remember you can’t control what they do, but you can control what you do. And setting the example is what you should be doing.

Online Dating Calling Etiquette (#9-11)

Talking on the phone almost feels like a foreign activity — people tend to assume the worse when someone calls them (“Oh my God, what happened to Grandma?!”) However, in dating, it’s a good way to take the communication a step further. Not only do you get to hear their tone, but it’s also easier to go back and forth with little quips and jokes.

9. Keep an Eye on the Time

Before you call an online match, you should ask them if it’s OK to do so. Like I said, some people get weirded out when someone calls them. Then ask them what’s the best time to talk. You’ll want to know if he or she is a night owl or if they have an early morning meeting or whatever the case may be. This is when you can give them your preferred times as well.

10. You Shouldn’t Be in the Middle of Doing Something

The TV blaring, the dog barking, the dishwasher running, the people ordering drinks at the bar — these are all things that can ruin a phone call, especially with someone you like. You want to focus 100% on what they’re saying, and you want them to do the same.

It seems obvious, but it needs to be said: Your attention should be on the person you’re talking to, not the movie you’re watching, the dishes that need doing, or anything else. Photo source: Today.com.

Plus, repeating yourself or asking someone else to will prevent things from flowing. If you’re busy, ask if you can call them back, or set up a call when you know you’ll be in a quiet space and can really dedicate yourself to the conversation.

11. Set Up the Date ASAP

The longer you wait to meet in person, the longer you’re putting off seeing if the chemistry is there. It would feel horrible if you started to like this person over text and email — only to find out you don’t have the same feelings in the real world. Usually, setting up the date within a week or two of the first online meeting is the way to go.

Pinkies Up, Ladies & Gentlemen!

Online dating may not be as serious as running a country, but it’s still important to practice good manners. The rules above aren’t necessarily rules, per se, and they’re not supposed to take the fun out of online dating. But they are something good to keep in mind when you’re trying to put your best foot forward.