First dates are exciting but can also be daunting. You don’t know if they will match your vibe or whether they will find your carefully put-together ‘OOTD’ as enchanting as you did.
While you might have gotten along famously during those late-night talks, meeting someone IRL (in real life) is a different ball game altogether.
Mastering the art of dating might not be rocket science, but it’s definitely not easy considering how the last two years have been. So, those tiny jitters and butterflies in your tummy are totally normal. While you can’t predict how the first date is going to go, you can definitely do your best to charm your date even before you meet them, so the first date is nothing short of fireworks.
Make a profile that hits differently
Tell them what you like and dislike and feel free to add your favorite music to your profile (cus – duh – music can be an amazing way to bond). Give them a sneak peek of your vibe and personality by adding your interests. But there are so many to choose from, so where do you start? Delve deep and be honest; what are you truly passionate about? There’s one thing that works really well when it comes to dating, and that’s being your authentic self.
Let your real self shine
You start speaking with someone you matched with, and it’s going well, but you’re not fully convinced because you aren’t sure if they are really who they claim to be. Don’t fret yet. Dating apps such as Tinder have many features that can go a long way in making people feel safe and comfortable. For example, the photo verification feature that leads to a blue check icon is one way that can make your profile seem more authentic. Be sure to make your profile look legit but avoid adding any personal information like your phone number, address or more. The entire idea of the bio is to seem interesting to talk to, so focus on who you are and what makes you amazing.
Open with a bang, not with a whimper
Coming up with an opening line with a potential date can sometimes be pretty intimidating, as nothing kills a conversation like “Musta?”
Take a cue from their bio, and look at their pictures to decode their vibe. Food, fashion, and music can be some potentially intriguing ice breakers, as your dates can turn out to be fellow foodies, sneakerheads, or music lovers.
URL before you go IRL
The face-to-face video calling feature on Tinder can be a godsend, as speaking over a video call can potentially give you a clearer idea of who your match is. It will also help your date and you in spotting any potential red flag or better, green flag ones! It also allows for a more intimate conversation than just messaging each other back and forth. The best part? The video feature on Tinder can only be enabled once both people in a conversation mutually agree to the video call, so it’s absolutely in your control, and there is no way you will get unsolicited video calls. This also makes sure you talk to one another when both of you are actually ready to.
Go the extra mile
So, your virtual date was a success. Now, what’s step 2? Finding the perfect first date spot can be a bit tricky. However, what you need to keep in mind is that the place should be public, easily accessible, well lit (dim spaces can be uncomfortable), and close to your and your date’s location. So, find a middle ground (quite literally!) and see what works for the both of you.