The gentleman’s guide to online dating

You reach for your phone and see that notification; a beautiful woman you ‘liked’ has reciprocated and ‘liked’ you back on Tinder. It seems like that’s the job done – but the chase has only just begun. Here is the gentleman’s guide to online dating.

NICE GUYS DON’T FINISH LAST

At least online they don’t. Women may go for a bit of a jerk or a bad boy in the club – but usually they’ve been driven to online dating because they’re not meeting the ‘right sort’ of man. As a result you should aim to come across as nice, considerate and charming. Don’t try and make the conversations too racy and take an interest in the lady and her interests. Don’t pressure her to meet up and give her time to make a decision about whether to go on a date with you or not.

MAKE SURE YOU’VE GOT A GOOD PROFILE

You should be sure to take time over your profile and make sure that it’s filled out properly. If you’re on a dating website like Match.com or PlentyofFish you need to ensure that your profile is properly filled out and make your page look like you really care. If you’re on Tinder, you should make sure that your photos are the best you’ve got – after all you lavish enough attention on your Facebook page. These first impression boosters will ensure that you get all the attention that you’re hoping for.

FIND THE DATING APP/SITE THAT SUITS YOU

It seems that there’s a dating website or app for every preference under the sun; there are sites for the nymphomaniac; Passion, the gold-digger; SugarDaddyUK, the oldie; MatureDatingUK and the philanderer; IllicitEncounters. Specially aimed at the younger generation who might be coy about using website dating, there are also a range of dating apps like Tinder, Happn and Hinge – all slightly different in the way that they enable you to connect and communicate.

REMEMBER THINGS ARE DIFFERENT IN THE DIGITAL SPHERE

People act differently within the digital sphere, they say things they wouldn’t say, they do things they wouldn’t do and they cultivate a persona which may be significantly different to their real personality. It’s important to remember that the dialogues you have with people are influenced by the artificial surroundings of the digital realm and they do not carry the same weight as talking in the real world. It may sound silly, but understanding that things are completely online is essential for success.