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Archive for the ‘Romance’ Category
Thursday, August 11th, 2011
I’m certainly no cynic when it comes to fate, karma and one’s spirituality or inner beliefs. But not everyone is willing to leave their future in the hands of the fickle winds of destiny and luck – nor the horoscopes for that matter. When it comes to finding a compatible person to hang out with, these statistics might just help you make a few crucial decisions that lady luck did not think of.
1. More than 40 million American singles enlist the services of online dating. In other words, 40% of the adult population in the U.S. Online dating is no longer a gimmick, it’s a legitimate matchmaking resource any single person should consider.
2. If you live in America, there are more than 120 million single men and women. That’s a pretty incredible sea of singles!
3. There are more single women in America than there are single men – for every 86 single men there are 100 single women.
4. In the state of New York, 50% of adults are not married making New York one of the highest populated regions for singles in the U.S. Not to be out-done though, Washington, has more than 70% of residents flying solo.
5. A recent lifestyle survey suggested that 51% of single men and women regarded flattery as the ultimate way to attract someone. Research also tells us that 25% of people regard touching through flirting is an effective way to gain one’s affections. While 38% regarded passing the word through a friend to let someone know you’re interested as an acceptable means to establish your intentions.
6. According to MIT and University of Chicago, free online dating sites profiles with photo’s receive up to three times more responses than profiles without photo’s.
7. On a first date, women generally allow up to an hour to make a final judgment call as to whether a second date is on the cards. For the men, they are less patient and will decide the fate of the date within the first 15 minutes.
8. The number 1 factor leading to arguments between couples is money. So a word of advice, be fully prepared to pay for dinner on a first date, and if you both agree on a different outcome, that’s a sign of good things to come.
9. An average of 53% of couples now break-up via text message or email. Rude, cruel, cold, or not, the digital world dictates almost everything else in our lives so why should romance be any different?
10. Only 4% of guys met their wife at a bar or night club – 8% for the girls (their husband). So it’s plain that you’re far less likely to meet someone long-term perched on a barstool. According to the publication, Sex in America, 68% of couples hooked up either through friends or a related network. 20% of couples now get together via dating websites and social networking sites.
Posted in Online Dating, Romance | Comments Off
Saturday, July 30th, 2011
Some men are naturally gifted when it comes to talking to women. Although most men need to fine-tune their dating skills. Let’s weigh in on some advice from the dating experts as to how men can start pushing the right buttons and attract the ladies!
Guys wondering how to ask a woman out on a date and get her to say yes should see the movie The Social Network. It’s a somewhat half-fiction film about Mark Zuckerberg, the genius behind the number one social networking site on the planet, Facebook.
In the opening scene are some good examples of how a man should not talk to the female species: speaking in rapid-fire fashion while jumping from one topic to the next, 90 percent of the time talking about himself, while his confused date struggles to keep pace. All her efforts to understand what was going on were met with a defensive and acerbic comment. He’s a jerk and when she dumps him in the end, telling him, going out with you is like dating a Stairmaster, we heave a sigh of relief.
Striking a conversation with a woman and asking her for a date is arguably one of the most nightmare-inducing things known to man. What if she rejects him? This fear of rejection may even immobilize him from actually initiating a conversation with a woman, even if she is already sending positive signals his way.
According to therapy guru Dr. Phil McGraw or Dr. Phil (as he is more widely known), men have to reverse this internal dialogue or it will keep them from having a healthy dating life.
To those who believe they are doomed to be shy wallflowers for the rest of their date-less lives, rest assured that successful daters weren’t born that way; dating skills can be learned. Here are some tips from dating and relationship coach DeAnna Lorraine on how to push women’s buttons the right way:
Don’t worry about the outcome. It’s not the end of the world if she rejects you, so take it in your stride. Approach many women (1 out of 2 women in the U.S. alone is single!), considering each encounter as a practice round until you gain enough confidence in yourself.
Don’t put her up on a pedestal. Like you, women are just well, mere mortals. Treating her too highly will make you feel less confident about asking her out. Treat her as an equal so she’ll respond the same way to you.
Steer clear of cliche lines. Overused pickup lines and excessive flattery won’t get you anywhere with her. Engage her attention by asking open-ended questions so she’ll have a chance to elaborate instead of simply responding with a yes or no. Don’t try so hard to impress her with highbrow talk either or you’ll come off as just being full of yourself.
Let your body send the right signals. Never cross your arms, fidget, or look away when you talk to her or stare too hard until your eyes start to water. Look in her eyes for 5 seconds, blink and then look away. Keep eye contact again for 3 seconds, look away and then repeat the process. Maintain a distance of about 2 feet away so she won’t feel uncomfortable that you’re invading too much of her personal space, but not too far away that you make her think that you’re feeling intimidated yourself.
Don’t overstay your welcome. Some men make the mistake of hanging around too long. It’s either they are so smitten with her that they are reluctant to leave, or they simply don’t know when to make a proper exit! Lorraine says guys should depart (after you’ve asked her for a date and got her card) when the conversation is going great, not when it already starts to wind down. This gives her the impression that you have a life, making you more interesting in her eyes and leave her wanting to get to know you more.
A great way to re-engage the singles scene is to embrace the social acceptance of technology. There are some fantastic free online dating sites available these days which are far less intimidating than bars or clubs. Free dating websites allow you to slowly merge back into the dating game and to slowly hone your dating skills and confidence.
Posted in Dating Tips, Romance | Comments Off
Saturday, July 23rd, 2011
There truly is no better way to wine and dine your girl than within the creature comforts at home. A home cooked three course meal and a bottle of red, it just doesn’t get any better. Check out these romantic dates you can host at home.
When it comes to sex and dating, it’s kind of an unspoken thing. You both know full well sex is inevitable if you’ve known each other a while. When the time is right to invite her ‘back to your place’ make a plan so you’ll both be encouraged to remove your inhibitions. You can start this process by making sure your room mates are away for the night and specially prepare your house for pure romance. You’ll need a shopping list to prepare: Candles, a couple of DVD movies, ingredients for dinner, strawberries and cream, bubble bath, sexy music. Oh, and maybe some edible body paint if the nights proceedings are heading in the right direction.
Assuming that home dating is right in your relationship, how can you make a night to remember? Well for one, do something you do not usually do. Decorate your apartment; scatter balloons all over the place, dim the lights or make your own extra special lightings.
The point is sprucing or completely changing your apartment so it will show that you are willing to put some effort into the relationship to keep it interesting. Keeping the spark alive comes down to one element – effort! You’ll get big bonus points for trying, it’ll pay off in more ways than one!
Here’s a few more tried and true home dating tips that’ll rock your world, and hers!
A candle lit room with delicious fragrances and soft music. Dim the lights and sip champagne and feed each other chocolate and finger food. Yummo!
Movie marathon. Redefine your cinema experience by turning off the lights and having your favorite beverage at hand. Cuddle and kiss on the sofa. Oh, but you might miss the movie, who cares! It’s not about the movie is it, no, the movie is a mere side show to the main event!!
Surprise her with your own night sky out of glow-in-the-dark stars on your living room or bedroom so after a fancy dinner, you can just throw down a blanket and pretend you are both on a meadow and talk about anything you want while smooching the night away.
Scrabble, Twister, Boggle, Trivial Pursuit – Open a bottle of your favorite wine and settle the evening with a board game. Sounds boring? (what about in your birthday suit?) Then make it a naughty scrabble, a strip tease boggle or a naked twister to up the ante.
The good thing about just staying home is you can do everything you fancy. From the most romantic dinner to the most laidback fun date ideas, you can do them all at home! Another thing is you get a fantastic evening with little investment but reap great rewards.
If there is a drawback in home dating, that is the tendency of you doing it in a pattern. As a result, the excitement of the whole thing will be lost. So do not make home dating a habit. If your budget is limiting your choice of dating venues, let your imagination run free.
There are many popular online dating sites, blogs, forums and singles chat rooms that offer fresh and fun dating ideas without breaking the bank.
Sometimes outside distractions can stop you expressing how you truly feel. That is why keeping it real, simple and special in your own little way can be some of the best dates you can share with your sweetheart.
Go on, surprise your man or woman with a nice, subtle or naughty night at home. Remember your only limit is your imagination.
Posted in Romance | Comments Off
Sunday, July 17th, 2011
Sometimes, what could otherwise be an enjoyable evening with someone gets ruined because the other person has annoying habits that just go against the rules of proper dating etiquette and social manners.
How would you like to date a woman whose eyes look like a raccoon’s? If you think Avril Lavigne’s trademark eye makeup is sexy, maybe it is, but on someone you’re dating? In broad daylight? I wouldn’t touch a girl wearing that much eye makeup with a ten foot pole.
And while we’re on the subject of annoying things, I thought about some of the annoying habits people make while on a date. The one above is one, and the following make up the rest.
1. Being late. Being late at acting awards is quite cool, but you’re no Angelina Jolie and I’m no Brad Pitt and we’re not vying for any awards. In my book there’s nothing more annoying than your date showing up late. You’re looking to get off to a great start right at the get-go so don’t be late, you’ll be fighting an uphill battle before the date even begins. Show some respect, please.
2. Blabbering. Okay, your date did show up early, but then he/she starts talking nonstop about himself/herself. Could be a sign of nervousness, you say? Could be or you could be talking to a self-absorbed swellhead with an ego the size of Manhattan. If you’re guilty of this, please stop. It’s simply not cool.
3. Checking out someone else. If you’re with me, your eyes should be ON ME at least half of the time. I give you permission to look at the floor or ceiling or your shoes once in a while, and your food, but never, ever, let me catch you checking out that sexy dude at the other table or I’m out of there faster than you could say, “Wait!”
4. Being kiss and tell. And on Facebook and Twitter, no less! I know this is the digital age and some of us just have this compulsion to share everything about what we do on a daily basis. But for the love of God, please refrain from posting blow-by-blow status updates about how your date is going, what he/she looks like, the food you’re feasting on, and whether you are making out inside the car at 11 p.m. Especially if your date happens to be one of your contacts.
5. Having no opinions about anything whatsoever. It’s just so annoying when you’re with someone and you ask her what she thinks of, like, that crazy preacher guy’s prophecy that the world is going to end soon, and she says she doesn’t care and just leave it at that. Then anything else you ask her earns nothing but “maybe.” I’m not saying you have to have a mind of a scientist here, but at least have something interesting to say, dammit!
6. Being deathly serious. This is a date, not a funeral, okay? Just chill out. Recently YourTango quizzed 20,000 men about what turns them on the most and sense of humor scored higher than any particular body parts. For many, laughter is a form of foreplay. It’s just so damn sexy if your date can make you laugh.
7. Texting nonstop. Or looking at your phone during a date. It’s just super rude. Okay, enough said.
Still looking for clues to make an impact on your dating game? Free online dating sites are the ideal way to make your mark. Dating websites are without doubt the number 1 matchmaking tool for modern singles!
Posted in Dating Tips, Romance | Comments Off
Sunday, July 10th, 2011
When every penny counts, how can one impress a lady when dating on a budget? How will you woo your girl without breaking the bank?
Sure. In this economic state we should keep our belt tighter. But hey, who says it should spoil our dating fun?
Remember that dating is not just about a coat and tie event or should be all about romance. It also should be a way to enjoy each other’s company and relaxing after a stressful day.
So take these inexpensive dating ideas and have a lovely time together:
Picnic in the Park
Well this might be the most cliché dating move but you have to admit it is fun, romantic and cheap! Just bring a basket with a bottle of wine, good homemade food, throw a blanket on the grass and viola! Besides you have all the beauty of the world before your eyes, so what else can you ask for?
Sounds boring? Bring on a Frisbee, it will surely go a long way on a pretty day.
The Coffee Date
Forget Starbucks for a while. We are trying to get frugal here. Walk along the memory lane, somewhere with familiar surroundings where you’re in your element. The local hometown cafe is always a safe move.
Get Fit
When you go running or cycling, tag your sweetheart along. Working out together is a great way to have fun and to make sure you are both in shape. And speaking of shape, you can always get hold of your feminine side and strut your stuff or give him flashes of that flirtatious killer smile to make the whole experience spicier. It’s a well-known fact that exercise induces those hormones too!
A Night of Pampering
The perfect way to stay in and up all night! No expensive or fancy spa required. You can always start by cooking dinner together. Then prepare a bubble bath for two. Dip in and treat yourselves to a full body massage. Sleep in the next day.
A Stroll to the Flea Market
Shopping may not be your man’s thing but he will appreciate the company if you drag him to the flea market. There are a number of things you might discover you thought never existed. And there is something for everyone at the local markets. Who knows, your hubby might have a knack for weird collectibles you did not know about.
There are still many date ideas that are light on your pocket. No matter what you do as long as you are with someone who can make you laugh, smile and feel sexy, hot and loved all at the same time, everywhere you go will be special. If you both have great chemistry, the date venue is irrelevant.
If you’re still a little unsure about where to take your date, check out his or her facebook page for a few hints. Dating sites also provide some excellent resources for dating tips so go online and start researching some unique dating ideas to make the occasion a memorable one.
Posted in Dating Tips, Romance | Comments Off
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