Dating Tips and Advice from a Matchmaker (Estelle Matchmaking): February 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Dating Advice: First Impression is Everything

Learn how to iron, if you can’t hit up your dry cleaner…seriously. You may think hanging your clothes in the bathroom while you showered worked, but it probably didn’t. First impression is everything, so make sure whatever you choose to wear is freshly pressed to perfection.

-Estelle
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Estelle is the president/owner of Estelle Matchmaking, LLC a boutique matchmaking service for selective singles in the NYC area (including Westchester and Fairfield Counties) and South Florida

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Group Dating

Consider a group date. Of course, not at first, but group dates are a great way to meet new friends—especially if you’re completely starting over after a divorce. And as they say: “You can never have too many friends.”

Monday, February 27, 2012

Don't Do This Early On While Dating

Don’t be touchy feely. Yes, later on touchy feely is a wonderful way to show you care, but outside of a tap on the arm mid-laugh, keep all other touches above the waist. In other words, respect personal space.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

First Date Advice: Don't Let Your Conversation Revolve Around This

If you have kids, great! But you don’t want to dwell on them. Children or grandchildren are definitely something worth mentioning, but don’t be obsessive and don’t whip out the photo album over dinner.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Dating Advice: Don't Come Across Like a Loser

In case you didn’t get the memo, life is not a cheesy Hollywood movie. So instead of laying it on thick, like you've seen in movies (where it surprisingly works), take a step back and understand there’s a huge difference between life and art. Art is the world in which we want to escape, but life is what we have here on earth, so act like a person and not an act or in a bad romantic comedy.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Dating Advice For Those With Adult Children

If you have adult children and they’re vocal about your dating, respect what they have to say, but make them realize this is your life. Everyone you love and care about will have something to say on the matter, and while you’re wise to listen and consider, it’s still ultimately up to you.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

You're Never Too Old For This

No matter your age, how many times you’ve been married or how many relationships you’ve had, remember that you’re never to old for “this.” “This” being the potential for love and a new companion.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

What NOT to Do When Dating

Don’t make comparison between this new person and any of your exes. Whether you’re doing it internally or out loud (ie. My ex-girlfriend would never order that!), just stop it. Comparisons never get anyone anywhere.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone After the First Couple of Dates

When it comes to choosing where you’ll go on your third or fourth date, be daring. You’ve already had dinner together, so spice it up and do something outside your comfort zone.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Dating Advice: A Style Tip for Men

Men, be timeless in your attire. No matter what might be “hip” at the moment, just don’t do it. When you’re trying to make an impression or you’re courting, you need to stick to something simple that you know fits you well. No dandy please!!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Dating Advice: No One Likes This

Don’t be self-centered. This should be a given but some people aren’t even aware that they are self-centered. However, if you find that you’re talking about how wonderful you are over and over, then cease. No one likes a self-centered, egomaniac… and this is a far cry from normal confidence.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Men: This Dating Tip is For You

Men, this is 2012. So if you happen to be on a date with a powerful and successful woman, accept it. Don’t be intimidated, don’t make snarky comments… like we just said: it’s 2012.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Use Good Judgement and Your Intuition While Dating

Use your intuition. You have an intuition for a reason—it’s supposed to protect you and give you a heads up when things are a little off. In other words, go with your gut—don’t ignore it. If you sense something is amiss, then keep yourself aware and on your toes.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Accentuate the Positive

Have a good time. Even if things aren’t going how you planned—like if it’s raining and you planned a picnic, or you get splashed by a puddle thanks to a passing car—turn it into fun. Some of the greatest relationships start in messy debacles.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Don't Ever Do This When You Are In The First Stages of Dating

We all have baggage; we all have things that have probably, in way or another irrevocably changed us, but when you’re in the first stages of dating keep things light. Actually, let’s be more to the point: don’t have an emotional breakdown or cry… ever.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Dating Advice: Are Things Going Really Well? Don't Forget to Do This.

Let’s say you’ve been on a handful of dates and things are going really well—great! But you need to still make room for your friends and family. So many people get caught up in the person that they’re dating that they abandon their past—don’t do that. Your past is the reason you are who you are, so make sure to balance everyone equally.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Dating Advice: Don't Spill All Your Secrets

Sometimes you find yourself with someone who’s prying, but you have to remain strong. No matter what the person on the other side of the table might be saying, don’t be talked into spilling your secrets—you have months later to do such things. Some people can be convincing, but you need to convince yourself that some things are worth the wait and your deepest, darkest secrets are on that list.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Old Fashioned Manners Are Always Appreciated

Whether you’re a man or woman, and no matter your age, you should know that old-fashioned manners are always appreciated. It doesn’t mean you’re showing your age, it means you have respect for the way things were and the way things should be on the manner front.

Avoid the word 'like'. It has become a stumbling word of similar context to 'um'. Try to eliminate the word from your entire vocabulary, even if you use it correctly. Say 'such as' or 'similar to' instead. Using the terms 'Thank you', 'Please', and 'You're welcome' indicates good manners. People lacking in manners avoid these terms.

Hold open a door for anyone, male or female, following you closely. This is good manners and will never change.

Speak highly of your parents and show respect for them, even if you don't always feel that way. If you can't, avoid speaking about them at all. It's tacky to insult those who brought you into this world or raised you.

See our other posts on Basic Dining Etiquette, Cell Phone Etiquette and Proper Restaurant Behavior too.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

A Dating Tip for the Ladies: Here's Something That Men Love

Ladies, flip your hair. Don’t go shaking your whole head of hair though… aim for something discreet and feminine. It may sound silly, but slight hair flipping is a dead giveaway that you’re interested (it’s called preening) and men love it.

Friday, February 10, 2012

How to Score Points on a Date

Put a positive spin on things, but don’t lie. As we covered several times in other tips, positive people naturally draw people to them with their optimism. If you can put a positive spin on topics and issues, without making them untrue, then you’re winning points left and right.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Advice On Letting Go

If you don’t hear back after a date or if someone tells you that they’re not interested, accept it and move on. The worst thing you can do is get psycho over something that’s out of your control. You want that person to realize that they’re missing out, not that they were smart to let you go.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Don't Textually Harass Your Date

No matter how the date went—good or bad—don’t bombard your date with texts or emails. It’s one thing to check in and thank them for the evening, but it’s another thing to inundate them with questions and other potential times to get together. You don’t want to scare them away. A lot of people find clingy behavior intrusive and annoying, and besides, you'll only make yourself look desperate. Never use IM, SMS language, or computer jargon when sending a note as a 'Thank you' or other communication. Using jargon, in general, makes a person appear self-centered if others don't understand it. It also makes the listener feel ignorant. You should never assume everyone knows what LOL or TTYL means.

"Cuz" should never be used instead of "because"
"2" should never replace "to", "two" or "too". It can cause confusion in some cases.
Know the difference between you, your, and you're as well as there, their, and they're.
Its and it's have different meanings as well.

Use a dictionary or thesaurus if you aren't sure of the spelling, meaning, or usage of a word. Remember, it's better to use a word you're comfortable using rather than a fancy word that you don't know the meaning.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Do This So You Won't Waste Each Other's Time When First Dating

Be honest about your relationship goals and expectations. Even if it may seem a little too early in the dating process, be sure to layout early on exactly what you’re looking for in a relationship. You don’t want to waste each other’s time if you’re not on the same page about your goals.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Don't Date Too Many People at the Same Time

Don’t overbook yourself with dates. Even if you’re dating more than one person at a time, keep it at a very minimum… like 2! And don’t double book in one night ever. The purpose of dating is giving yourself a chance to get to know someone new, and if you’re mind is on too many people, then you will end up not getting to know anyone. Stay focus on one person at a time and treat the relationship as it may be your last. If it doesn’t work out, move on.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

The Best Way to Communicate While Dating

Talk on the phone. Although the world may have become accustomed to communicating via email, text and Facebook walls, talking on the phone is a good way to get to know someone. So much can be lost in email, and tone and meanings can be misconstrued so in talking on the phone you can avoid potential messes.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Getting Back Into Dating After a Divorce? Here's Some Advice

If you’re getting back into dating after a divorce, understand that, although as humans we’re creatures of habit, it doesn’t necessarily mean that any future relationship is doomed. Learn from past mistakes, don’t harp on them and be aware that mistakes are an inevitable part of life and love. Yes, you’ll make mistakes again, but make sure they’re new ones… history shouldn’t have to repeat itself.

-Estelle
Get daily dating tips from Estelle in your email in box Subscribe
Estelle is the president/owner of Estelle Matchmaking, LLC a boutique matchmaking service for selective singles in the NYC area (including Westchester and Fairfield Counties) and South Florida

Friday, February 3, 2012

Dating Advice: Perfection Doesn't Exist

No matter what society and fashion magazines tell us, men (women, too) aren’t looking for perfection. There a comes a point in everyone’s life when they realize that perfection doesn’t exist, and images in magazines and in advertisements are Photoshopped to unattainable expectations. At the end of the day, people usually want the one who makes them laugh; and not the one who’s been plucked from the pages of Vogue.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Dating Advice For Women: Go For This Type of Guy

Go for the man who loves his mom. We’re not suggesting a “momma’s boy,” but any man who loves, respects and has a healthy relationship with his mother is definitely a keeper. Hands down. If he has a bunch of sister, too, then even better.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Dating Advice: Check Your Online Reputation?

Google yourself. Yes, we said you shouldn’t stalk your date, but let’s be honest, most people will Google your name just to see what the first things come up say. Since this is the case, you may want to know what’s out there about you on the Internet… and these days, we’re all on the Internet for something (good or bad!)

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