How to Meet People to Date

The world of dating has come a long way in the space of a few decades. There was a time when meeting someone new meant bumping into an interesting person at a bar or venue. If you weren’t big on socialising, your options were limited to work colleagues, college/university classmates, and friends of friends.

These days, you have a world of possibilities at your fingertips. On one hand, it has made dating and meeting new people easier than ever. But at the same time, it can leave you spoilt for choice. And what if you’re not very confident? What if you’d prefer to meet someone in person or want something more than a fling?

Regardless of your confidence levels or preferences, we’ll show you how to meet a partner in this fast-paced digital world.

Knowing What You Want

The first step to meeting new people is to make sure you know what you want.

Think about Dating Goals

What are your goals, why are you dating? Are you looking for the perfect man or woman, someone whom you can spend the rest of your life with? Or are you just looking to play the field, meet new people, experiment, and see where it takes you?

It’s good to have direction before you start your dating journey.

Setting Relationship Standards

You need to have standards.

They can relate to the person’s job, age, looks, personality—whatever makes a difference to you. Don’t get too picky at this stage, but don’t let your standards slip.

Identifying Dealbreakers

What are the dealbreakers that make it clear a person is not right for you?

For instance, maybe you want someone who owns their own house, has/doesn’t have kids, or has a job. Maybe you want someone who lives in the city and drives, ensuring you’re not constantly traveling to meet them.

Think about these dealbreakers early and stick to them. Don’t let a winning smile lure you away from what you know you need.

Ways to Meet People

Whether it’s speed dating, blind dating, online dating, or something else, you can meet people online and offline. There are great options for both:

Online Dating

Online dating is the easiest way to find a potential date. We can attest to just how effective it is. There are over 75 million users on Match, for instance, and you can search by location, preferences, type, age, and whatever else takes your fancy. You can spark up a conversation while relaxing at home, and if you sense some chemistry, you can meet that person in real life.

It’s a great way to meet new people—just ask the millions who have found love on Match over the years.

Pros & Cons of Online Dating

Through Hobbies

Hobby groups are a fantastic way to meet new people, as you’ll have an easy topic to break the ice and know from the outset that you have something in common. That interest could even be the thing that drives your new relationship forward.

Taking up a New Activity

If you don’t have an active interest and are not part of a hobby club, it’s time to take up a new interest! Look for clubs and communities in your local area. Find something you like and something involving other people.

Attending Events

Look into social events in your local area. From speed dating to social meetups, if they’re all about meeting people then you could find someone special.

Volunteer Work

Do good while searching for someone new. Help out at charity shops, food banks, and more. If there are people there, you can make new friends and maybe start a relationship.

Through Friends and Family

It’s a classic way of dating, but it works. Spend more time with friends, and tag along to social events. You can even ask them directly if they know someone who is single.

How to Approach People

If you’re here because you’re wondering how to meet a new partner, you might not have a lot of experience in the dating world. If so, and you don’t really know how to flirt or date, these quick tips will help:

Be Open

Always be yourself. You’ve heard this advice before no doubt, and that’s because it works!

Break the Ice

Find something that you have in common to break the ice on the first date. Plan conversation starters in advance if you’re unsure. Don’t get too personal. Ask open-ended questions.

Display Confidence

Confidence is contagious. If you don’t have it, fake it. Wear your best outfit, don your best smile, make eye contact, and relax.

Practice Active Listening

Active listening means you’re actually listening to what they’re saying and aren’t just waiting for your moment to talk. It makes a big difference.

Safety Tips When Meeting Someone New

It doesn’t matter how much you like the person, if you’re meeting them for the first time, safety is key. Here’s how to protect yourself:

Choose Public Meeting Places

Always choose public spaces when meeting someone new. Don’t invite them to your house or go to theirs, for instance. Restaurants and bars are ideal for a safe and successful first date location.

Share Minimal Personal Information

Don’t give too much away, as you don’t know who you’re talking to. This applies whether you’re chatting online or offline.

Arrange Your Own Transport

Make sure you can get back home as and when needed. If they offer to pick you up, insist on driving there yourself or getting a taxi.

Inform a Friend or Family Member

Always tell a friend or family member exactly where you’re going and how you’re getting there. Inform them when you should be returning and tell them you’ll call/message when you do.

How to Keep the Conversation Going

If you struggle to keep the conversation flowing, you’re not alone. As noted above, confidence is key, but there are some other things to consider.

Asking Open-ended Questions

We mentioned open-ended questions above, so what are they? Well, they are questions that encourage a flowing conversation by requiring more than a simple “yes” or “no” answer. For instance, ask them what they think about pets. If your date says they have 2 cats, ask them what they are like.

Sharing About Yourself

Be open about yourself without going into too much detail. You can share your love of animals and music, but don’t converse about your ex or the difficult relationship you have with your parents.

Paying Compliments

Compliment them on what they are wearing and how they look. Try to keep the conversation positive. Teasing is okay, but not for a first date as it may be taken the wrong way.

How to Ask for a Date

Asking for a date is easier than you might think:

Effective Timing

Choose the right time. If you’re chatting online, for instance, don’t ask them in the first message. Give it time and wait until it feels right.

Being Direct

Don’t beat around the bush, as you risk confusing them. Ask if they want a date in a way that can’t be misinterpreted.

Handling Rejection

Rejection will happen. It happens to us all. Don’t take it personally when it does and just move on to the next person.

Building Healthy Relationships

Once you get the first few meetups out of the way, it’s time for some serious dating. You can start thinking about building a relationship with them:

Respect and Understanding

Good relationships are built on respect and trust. If you don’t trust them and they don’t respect you, it won’t work.

Clear Communication

You should always communicate clearly with them, such as letting them know when you’re dissatisfied or have an issue with the relationship.

Spending Quality Time Together

Even if you’re busy, you should always make time for one another. You don’t have to go out. It doesn’t have to be a big thing. It can be a simple date night at home.

Balancing Independence with Intimacy

One of the key things to remember when going from a single life to a relationship is that you still need time for yourself. You’re a couple now, but you’re still an individual. Devote some time to your own needs and hobbies, and make sure your partner encourages such activities.

Conclusion

Despite the prevalence of dating apps like Match, many people still wonder “How do I meet someone?”. As a society, we are better connected than ever before, and yet it seems that we’re also becoming distant and losing touch with the simple things.

Hopefully, this guide will help you to learn how to love dating. After that, the next step is to get out there and find someone special!

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