If you do opt for an evening meet up, then follow the standard first date protocol and kick things off with a drink. This is still a controversial topic and opinions vary from culture to culture, but in my book, everything should be split down the middle.

You can also do rounds, with one of you buying the first drink, and the other getting the second round in if things go well between you. Some people see online dating as a bit of a chore.

Simple as that. Just go with the flow. Still not sure how to approach your first date after meeting someone online? Chat online to a relationship expert from Relationship Hero who can help you figure things out.

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By Katie Uniacke - Last updated on 15th March Seventy years ago, the Yale sociologist John Ellsworth Jr. Though the internet allows us to connect with people across the globe near instantly, dating apps like Tinder prioritize showing us nearby matches, the assumption being the best date is the one we can meet up with as quickly as possible with little inconvenience. A year and a half ago, I was 23, single, and working as an engineer at the online-dating site OkCupid. The site held a similar philosophy when it came to distance, and we employees would sometimes joke we needed to add a special filter for New Yorkers that let them specify, Show me matches under 10 miles, but nobody from New Jersey.

At the time, I loved the concept of online dating and went out with other Manhattanites almost every weekend. But I quickly came to hate first dates themselves. I found myself always distracted, thinking more to myself about how to make a graceful exit than about whatever my date was saying.

Then one day I had my wisdom teeth pulled and my cheeks became grapefruits. Figuring this was not a great first-date look, I made no weekend plans. Lonely and alone on a Saturday night, I started scrolling through OkCupid and, out of boredom and curiosity, expanded my search options to include users anywhere in the world.

That weekend I talked to a neuropsychologist from Milwaukee; a software developer from Austin, Texas; an improv instructor from Seattle; and an economics masters student from London. For the next few weeks, I called the Austin programmer often.

I wondered what it would be like going on a first date with him, now that I sort of knew him. But I had no plans to visit Austin and we lost touch. I read stories of couples who chatted online for months before flying from California to Georgia, Michigan to Washington, Ohio to Peru, Cyprus to Lebanon to see each other for the first time.

Maybe it was the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon —that effect where, when you first learn about something, you see it everywhere—but suddenly I learned that lots of people I knew had this same story. My childhood neighbor from New Jersey, recently divorced, met her Syracuse boyfriend through the phone game Wordfeud. He was a software developer living in Australia. They messaged online for more than two years before he booked a flight to meet her in Maryland and eventually moved into an apartment with her in Brooklyn.

Online-dating companies are privy to the fact that people use them for travel. Last year, Tinder launched a paid feature called Passport that lets people swipe on members anywhere in the world. And Scruff, a dating app for gay men, has a section called Scruff Venture that helps users coordinate travel plans and connect with host members in foreign countries. To me, someone who hates first dates, this sounds great. I like the idea of going on a date with someone after you get to know them.

Another benefit of long-distance online dating is that flirting starts in brain space, not physical space. Four years ago, she got fed up with the men in San Francisco, where she lived. She found them too distracted, work-obsessed, and unwilling to commit. So she made OkCupid profiles that placed her in Portland, Austin, Boulder, and New York, and started dating mostly through video.

An introspective introvert, she found she liked dating like this because it let her form an emotional connection with men before the complications of a physical meet-up.

One explanation suggested by his work is that long-distance daters tend to idealize their relationships. But having the distance could open up new relationship opportunities.

One of the greatest challenges you face when online dating is transitioning from the virtual world to real life. You may be getting the feeling that you know each other quite well after spending weeks chatting till late in the night, but the first face-to-face contact is always a unique experience full of excitement and even awkwardness.

Like everything else, dating is a skill. Think of it as a chance to see if you are as good of a match offline as you are online.

Before you plan your big date and start worrying about being self-conscious, you have to be emotionally ready for the meetup. Another thing that determines whether you are ready for the first meeting after online dating is how long you have known this person and whether you have built a deep connection. If you are going for something long-term, it would be better to hold off a little until you are more familiar with each other.

The last thing you want is to spook each other out. However, if you are looking for a hookup or a casual fling, you can do it as soon as you feel comfortable. Timing is everything when it comes to transitioning from online relationships to the real dating world. You may also like: AmoLatina. One of the biggest challenges of transitioning from online to offline romance is figuring out what the perfect first date should be. Do you go out for a fancy dinner and get all dressed up? Do you go to a gallery opening and pretend that you actually like that weird abstract painting to impress your date?

If this is your first time meeting in person, you may want to keep things short and simple. A coffee date is great if you are unsure whether a face-to-face conversation will flow as smoothly as online chatting. Another great way to avoid awkward silences is to go for drinks at a pool-and-darts bar, a place with board games, or go bowling.

Meeting in a public place is, without a doubt, the most important rule when it comes to meeting someone for the first time. You may have been communicating with them for a long time now, but remember, you are still dealing with a stranger. For your first date, plan to meet in a public place and stay away from private and isolated locations at least until you are sure who you are dealing with.

For example, a coffee date at your local café is a perfect safe date option. Or a picnic at the park or beach. Two common things can cloud your judgment while on a first date — alcohol and lust. But safety, despite being the least interesting part of a first date, has to be your highest priority.

If you are meeting your date somewhere unfamiliar , let your friends know where you are going. This is especially important if you have to travel to a different town, city, or even country to meet your online partner. Telling your friends all the details of your date is important for your safety and ensures that someone is aware of your whereabouts should anything go wrong.

We all hope for the best when meeting someone new, but unfortunately, not all first dates go well. The worst thing that usually happens is a totally boring date with zero chemistry. Or, they can seem very off and even dangerous, which is a case when you really want to be out that door. Another thing you can do is arrive early and instruct the waiter to bring the check as soon as you give them a sign.

Keeping them waiting for longer than a few minutes is a sign of disrespect. It also shows you are not taking this rendezvous nor this person seriously.

Of course, life is unpredictable. If something urgent comes up, you should immediately let them know that you will be running late. No one wants to spend time in suspense, wondering how much longer it will take for you to show up. What should you wear? Do you want to pull out that evening gown or those dress shoes? Or are you in a show-stopper mood with that little black dress being all you can think about?

With the first in-person date, it is best to keep it simple. It does not in any way mean that you can wear slacks, flip-flops or sweats. Just make sure you look nice but do not go overboard. The secret is finding the perfect balance between attractive, practical, and comfortable.

You are probably super nervous going into this, and that is completely understandable. But guess what, so is your romantic partner. It would be great for you to step up and shift the atmosphere in the right direction. You just need to smile. A smile creates a sense of serenity and positivity that will melt both of your fears away.

Once you have established this mood, maintain it by keeping the conversation positive and warm. Some topics you can discuss to keep a light mood include:.

You can also talk about deep and dark experiences as long as you maintain a welcoming and supporting vibe. However, chatting on the Internet and talking with someone in person especially if you are crushing on them are two different things. Throw the butterflies and all that tension into the mixture, and you are now sitting in awkward silence. To avoid putting yourself in such a situation, think of a few conversation starters, something you know they like or are a fan of.

The subtle communication of our bodies reveals a lot about the emotions we are going through at a given moment. For example, if your date is leaning in and paying attention, it usually means that they like you. We recommend asking serious questions that will give you a better idea of whether you are a great match or better off going separate ways. Discussing things like their value and belief systems, priorities, views on past relationships, as well as their expectations makes for an interesting conversation!

As important as body language is, what your date is saying is even more important. But to hear, you need to listen first. And listening is not as easy as it seems, especially with all that excitement and butterflies flying around. Try not to dominate the date completely by letting the nerves talk through you.

Instead, let them share as much as possible about themselves without jumping in and interrupting their thoughts. A basic Bon Ton rule says that keeping your phone on the dinner table is a big no-no! If you really need to text, do it quickly and put the phone away.

Your table manners can be a reason for a second and third date or be a total deal-breaker. No one likes a caveman with little to no dining etiquette. You can be smart and attractive, but not being able to use cutlery or eating with your mouth open can be such a turnoff. Are you hoping for a second date or what? If YES is your answer, you better start flirting before they think they are already in the friend zone. This one should be a given!

Treat people the way you want to be treated! Meeting someone for the first time is not easy, and the date can quickly go wrong if your match feels like you have pushed their boundaries or broken into their personal space. If they are not okay with a hug and a kiss, stick to a friendly handshake.

Steer clear of making snarky remarks and dropping sarcastic comments. You should also be respectful of their faith, dietary preferences, or the choice to leave the date. Simply put, make them feel comfortable and accepted and pave your way to a second date. Keep it sweet and simple.

Complimenting their haircut or outfit should do the trick. A few drinks can make you a better flirt, but one too many, and you can quickly find yourself in sloppy date-land. On top of it, you are putting yourself in danger, especially if you need to get behind the wheel later. If you went online looking for a serious and long-term commitment, patience is the key to success.

Do not move things too fast! It might mean taking your love interest home after the first date is probably not the best idea. Get to know more about this person with more dates and more online conversations. This allows you to build trust before you take things to the next level with your relationship. You might end up with a complete disaster of a date that will have you back to square one in no time.

When going on these first dates, it is best just to be cautiously optimistic. Keeping your expectations low lets you avoid disappointment. When you first meet your online date, the most important thing is to get to know them better and share more details about yourself as well. Just be careful with what and how much you share.

Just like with your first online interactions, the first real world date should be a time to gauge interest. Let them earn your trust before you go sharing your deepest darkest secrets and your home address.

Show some sophistication and offer to split the cost of your date. Being open about your true intentions allows you to see if you are on the same page with your date or if they are looking for something completely different. Let them know whether you are hoping for casual dating or a more committed relationship.

Tell them that too. No one likes to be led on and have their time wasted. Finally, make sure to have fun on your date.

Back Magazine. Do you want to pull out that evening gown or those dress shoes? For the next few weeks, I called the Austin programmer often. How should you act when meeting someone for the first time? But to hear, you need to listen first. You may be getting the feeling that you know each other quite well after spending weeks chatting till late in the night, but the first face-to-face contact is always a unique experience full of excitement and even awkwardness.

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