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Use realistic photos if you’re online dating.
Of course it’s smart to use attractive photos, but they’re going to see you anyway.
No point hiding the real you!
Reframe your idea of singlehood.
“So, why are you single?”
is high on the list of date questions that double as minefields.
It’s everyone’s default status, after all.
And if someone asked her the question?
Her dates usually respected that boundary.
Know that it only takes one.
“Also, if you’re dating online, the pool is constantly refreshed,” says Newman.
But maybe reconsider the idea of “The One.”
Knowing that it only takes one doesn’t automatically mean there onlyisone.
“I found my person, but I met a lot of amazing men along the way.”
Wear something that makes you feel bomb AF.
Newman loves high heels, so she continued wearing them even though they sometimes threw a wrench into things.
“We all know ‘6 feet’ can be code for ‘5-foot-10’ on dating profiles.
But did she stop wearing the heels?
Nah, because that misrepresentation wasn’t on her, and they made her feelconfident.
Oxygen / viaFox
6.
Put thought into immediately agreeing to dinner.
Grabbing a drink or coffee is often a safer bet.
And if there isn’t?
Show up as yourself.
At first, Newman tried to determine what a guy wanted and conform to that.
Once that tactic wasn’t successful, she reevaluated and discovered the benefits of being authentic.
Ask the simplest question in the world.
“Something like, ‘Hey, how are you doing?’
or ‘How was your weekend?’
Get them to share what they’re good at.
This especially comes in handy if you want to see if there’s a spark.
Give yourself permission to end a bad date.
Don’t suffer through an awful experience just because you feel like you owe it to someone!
For starters, her date showed up looking about 30 years older than the 48 years he’d claimed.
The outing ended an hour and a half later when he offered up sex.
“He said he was a great time in bed because it would be like Viagra.”
VH1 / viaTumblr
11.
And remember lightning rarely strikes the same place twice.
Play things a little close to the vest.
“I would share my hopes and dreams about future relationships,” says Newman.
Save the complaining for later.
“A first date is really a meet and greet,” says Newman.
Don’t necessarily shy away from taboo topics.
Conventional wisdom says not to touch on things like politics and religion on the first date.
But isn’t it better to know right away if your beliefs don’t align?
Well, yeah, because that sounds like an awesome story.
When the check comes, feel free to ask if you’ve got the option to help.
It’s the 21st Century!
Of course, that all depends on what you want.
If you’re digging your date, get in touch after.
“Sometimes people just need the green light,” she says.
It might freak you out, but if they’re not interested, it’s just a text.
And if they are?
On to date two!
NBC / viaTumblr
Photo Credit: Tara Moore
