Dating is tough, but when you add the element of the holidays it’s even worse! You’ll see your family and friends pair off and you’ll feel like the pressure is on to find a date. And while it’s perfectly fine to fly solo, I know many of you will be hitting up the various dating sites and apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble. So to get you prepared for the world of online dating, I spoke to Myka Meier, Founder of Beaumont Etiquette in NYC about the do’s and don’ts of dating in a high tech world.
The first thing to think about is setting up your profile. Use up-to-date photos and try not to overdo it with filters. Myka says, “Be honest in your dating app profile pictures. With so many Photoshop apps out there, you don’t want him turning up expecting to see someone you’re not – it sets everyone up for disappointment.”
After you’ve connected with someone and they ask you out, don’t let it linger. It’s hard to make a connection so decide and let them know. “Reply to an invitation to a date promptly,” Meier said. “In the age of texting and emails, he knows you read them and are just waiting to reply… so if you’re interested, you should respond to his invitation within 24 hours.”
Ladies, unless your first date is going to a Miami or Las Vegas nightclub, put a lot of thought into what you’ll be wearing. Myka says, “Leave something for the imagination when dressing for your date. Dating style should always be classy, sometimes sassy, but never trashy.”
After the date, Myka suggests letting the person know you had a great time. “Send a thank you note after the date – a text or email is fine. It will set you apart and show you are a gracious and grateful person.”
One of the hottest topics around a first date is who pays the bill? Many women rather pay for their share but sometimes men prefer to pay the whole bill. Who is right? “If you’re unsure who is paying when the bill comes, then offer to chip in, as we are modern, non-expectant, self sufficient women,” she said. “My general rule of thumb however is that whoever invites/plans the date should pay…so if he planned the date, invited you, picked the wine, but then agrees to let you pay half at the end of the date…perhaps he should go to etiquette school.”
What should you do if you follow all the above tips and there just isn’t a love connection? Ghosting, which is just disappearing and never replying back to emails or text, is not the way to go. Myka says, “If you are no longer interested, politely let him know you think it’s best you just remain friends. Simply not texting back is hurtful and rude.”
