Dating Advice: Keep This to a Minimum

Keep gift giving to a minimum when you start dating someone. Although you may find yourself wanting to shower the new person in your life with gifts, you need to hold off. Even if it’s the holiday season or their birthday, it’s important to be realistic in your gift choices as opposed to over-doing it, which could lead to scaring the person off. A few easy “gifts” that everyone enjoys and aren’t too over the top include: dinner, chocolates/sweets, a book and flowers. It’s simple yet thoughtful and doesn’t seem like you’re trying too hard.

-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

Be Honest About This Right From the Start

Be honest about their pets. After a few weeks you’re going to have to start being honest about whether or not you like the pet of the person you’re dating. If you’re not a pet owner, then you may not understand just how important a dog or cat is in the lives of those who have them. Keep in mind that for some, pets are just as important as kids, so it’s important to be accepting of the place they play in the life of the person you’re dating, as well as be honest about just how much pet tolerance you have.

Read our other tip on Dating Advice for Pet Lovers

-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

2012 Survey Reveals That People Prefer This

Be green. A 2012 survey of 1,000 single men and women over the age of 18 showed that 3/4 of Americans prefer significant others who are eco-friendly. “Women were 30 percent more likely than men to question whether to date someone who litters (52% vs. 40%) or refuses to recycle (17%vs. 13%).” Lesson? If you’re not an avid recycler or one that actively tries to make the earth a better place, it’s time to work on those skills.

-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

Don't Ruin the Evening if This Happens on a Date

In a world where nothing goes right, you might just run into an ex while you’re on a date. Yikes! But it’s OK. Besides breathing and counting to 10 so you don’t lose it, if he or she approaches you, just introduce your new friend and keep it short and sweet. Also don’t tell your date right away who it was… there’s no sense in ruining the evening.

-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

Dressing Etiquette for Woman

Ladies, keep your dress or skirt just above your knee and your shirt free of cleavage on the first date. We’re not suggesting you be a Puritan, but we are suggesting you leave something to the imagination. And frankly, men can’t concentrate with a pair of perfect breasts in their face.

In case you missed it, yesterday we talked about dressing etiquette for men.

-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

Dressing Etiquette for Men

Men, keep your shirt buttoned. You may think you’re giving her what she wants visually, but the first date and those that follow are about being buttoned up. Needless to say your boxer shorts should remain hiding in your pants!

-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

Don't Do This Before The First Date

Don’t text before the first date. End of story. Why? Because it’s too casual and you’re not 15 years old anymore.

-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