Dating Done Right: 5 Rules You Should Follow for a Better Dating Experience

While dating apps have made it easier to find compatible people and connect with them, it has also made it important for you to set some ground rules for yourself.

Whether you’re meeting your date through an app or in person, it’s important to avoid any potential problems. To have a pleasant dating experience, set these five rules for yourself and always follow them!

Be Upfront

Honesty is truly the best policy. Being upfront right from the beginning of your courtship can help you, and your date aligns your expectations and know exactly what the other one is looking to get out of the experience. It is important to be on the same page as your date about how you wish to proceed with the relationship and what you expect from them.

If you find that you and your date have completely different outlooks on life, it is a red flag that needs attention, effective communication, and pulling the plug, if necessary.

Avoid Talking About Exes

It is never wise to talk about exes too much, especially at the beginning. When you talk about past relationships all the time, you’re offering too much information to your date, forcing them to draw parallels. You may also seem hung up on your ex if they keep coming up in conversations. Similarly, avoid asking your date about their past relationships as well. It may seem to them that you’re being nosy or prying.

Listen & Observe

There is a lot of banter and back and forth of questions on the first date, but we often forget to do the most important thing: Listen. Active listening can help you understand your date better and make them feel heard as well. It is important to pick up on any red flags that may pop into the conversation. Be on the lookout for behavioral cues as well; a person can say a lot without saying anything. Observing them can help you decide if the courtship is worth pursuing.

Set Your Own Pace

The relationship should move at a pace that you set for yourself. If you don’t feel comfortable with how fast the relationship is going or if you want it to pick up the pace, make sure to communicate it with your date. Don’t feel pressured into doing something you don’t want. If you find yourself struggling with the speed of the relationship, know that you don’t owe it to anyone to continue with it.

Have Fun & Stay Safe

Dating can be a lot of fun. However, sometimes we get so busy trying to understand if the person is right that we forget to have fun. Ultimately, if you cannot enjoy yourself around someone and find yourself feeling tense, the companionship may not be worthwhile. It’s also up to you to make sure your date also has a fun time with you.

Lastly, in the era of dating apps, you must also stay safe. Always let someone know about your whereabouts and keep checking in with a friend or a family member to let them know you’re safe.

Dating requires effort and patience, but you can have a great time if you know what you’re doing. To understand how you can have a pleasant dating experience, check out our personal development, health, and lifestyle blogs at Finer Shape. Our experts talk about relationships and everything you can do to develop meaningful, fulfilling relationships and find happiness and peace.