5 Simple Ways to Avoid Bad Dates

Everyone who’s ever been on a date has had a bad one or two. You know those where your date shows up and looks nothing like their profile pic, is rude or makes bad jokes. Sadly, it’s all part of the dating game … how else would you recognise a good date, right? But if your dating life is nothing but a string of bad rom coms it may be time to assess your approach and here are some tips on how to avoid bad dates in future (once we’re all allowed back out again).

Get to know your dates beforehand

This may seem like a no brainer but spending a little more time getting to know your date online and by phone can reveal a lot of useful info about them beyond what they are sharing on their dating profile. Ask open-ended questions that match your interests to see if you are compatible like, “tell me about your last trip. What was your favourite part about it?”. It’s also important to consider whether your date can keep a conversation and whether they return texts or emails in a timely manner or call when they say they will. If you are struggling to connect offline, it’s unlikely you’ll hit it off IRL.

Request more photos

This needs to be approached carefully to avoid offending your date or coming across as a creepy psycho. It’s no good saying “I’m not feeling your profile pics, can you send a recent one?” It’s better to share a few of yourself and inspire them to reciprocate. Maybe start off by sharing a photo or two from your last BBQ with friends or a concert you went to and encourage them to share what fun things they’ve been up to recently and then see what comes back. Just don’t be too pushy, keep it playful like “walking by the river sounds fun. I’d love to see your smile. Feel free to send me a pic.”

Keep in mind that not everyone loves to take selfies or might be a little shy so don’t worry too much if you don’t get much back. If however, something feels off it’s always good to go with your gut.

Pick the right meeting spot

Make sure the place you chose for your first date is somewhere cosy and relaxed and it’s easy to have a conversation without shouting or try an activity like miniature golf which is fun and you can test working as a team. Picking the right venue can make turn awkward date into a fun one.

Ask good questions

You wouldn’t rock up at a job interview unprepared so why do that on a date? Taking some time to consider a few questions can be fun and helps to ease first date nerves – just don’t turn it into the Spanish Inquisition. Keep it natural, ask a follow-up question to keep a conversation flowing, for example, “What was it about XYZ you liked?” or “what was your favourite part?”.

Try to relax

Sometimes things happen – he turns up late or the restaurant you’ve picked is rubbish. The conversation doesn’t flow and you’re quite frankly bored. It’s easy to get hung up on the things that don’t work but try to relax and don’t set your expectations too high. Sometimes it’s easiest to just go with the flow. At worst case, you’ve got to go out and enjoyed a drink with someone new.

Ready to find a new date? Visit Plentymorefish.com and start chatting with other singles today.