How Not to Blow Your Second Date

First dates are often laced with tension and anxiety-even the most confident person can feel a little nervous when going out with someone new. Will there be sparks? Will the conversation flow easily? The not-knowing is both exciting and nerve racking.

But even if the first date was wonderful, it’s usually the second date that will determine whether the relationship will move forward or begin to fizzle. We recommend that you coordinate an activity together-sporting events, museums, local concerts, amusement parks, and zoos/aquariums are all great venues for planning your second date. This way you both can relax and have fun without having to worry about constant conversation. Also, when coordinating date number two, an afternoon date might be preferable. This will keep the momentum going without forcing the relationship to progress too quickly. (Guys- if you plan something adventurous, don’t forget to give your date a heads up so she can dress accordingly. No one wants to be hiking in heels.)



Need more fun date idea?

Infatuation or Love: How Do You Tell?

Any dog-owner knows the wonderful feeling of coming home to a devoted pet; you’re instantly greeted with worshipful affection. This type of infatuation is often called “puppy love,” resembling the adoration of an excited puppy. If you’re not a teenager anymore, then maybe it’s time to distinguish love from infatuation.

When evaluating your emotional response to a potential mate, focus your attention on how that person makes you feel about yourself. A companion may look perfect on paper or your arm, but his or her flawless image will fade as you become more intimate. Seek out a partner who will push your sense of self in a positive direction. Does this person enhance and encourage your positive traits? Does his or her attraction help you feel more attractive? Do you feel like a better version of yourself because of your connection? Instead of focusing on being his or her number one fan, pay attention to how you feel about yourself in the context of your new relationship.

Stuck Searching for The One?

Are you walking through life assessing each potential partner by asking, “is s/he the one for me?” This attitude can quickly lead to discouragement and disappointment. If everyone has one soul mate, then I sure hope mine isn’t living in a secluded village in South America. The truth is that there are many right partners for you: so relax. When you suspiciously scrutinize every date by comparing them to your idealized soul mate, you may be depriving yourself of experiencing truly wonderful relationships.

Let’s Talk about Sexual Chemistry

Are you single and find that the partners you’re sexually attracted to are not compatible matches? When you find yourself sexually attracted to someone, it is likely that you are in sync physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually. Physical attraction is one element of compatible relationships, but it alone will not be enough to make you and your partner well suited. One of the biggest mistakes you can make when looking for the right partner is judging him/her too hastily. If you meet someone and don’t feel an immediate spark, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t develop chemistry as you get to know him/her better. This is especially true for women. By sharing your thoughts and feelings, you may establish an intense connection, which will cause feelings of sexual attraction to emerge. Studies show that couples who were friends before they became romantically involved tend to have more satisfying marriages.

Harry and Sally agree.

"Was that a Gunshot or a Balloon?”

Ever wonder what it’s like to work for a professional matchmaker?

For today’s post, I thought I’d give you an insider scoop on the drama I encounter working for Atlanta’s sweet, Southern version of the Millionaire Matchmaker. Although I can’t share any juicy details from the love lives of our many fabulous clients, I can share about one aspect of my job: the one that’s left me in the doghouse.

As you may know, our Atlanta headquarters is located in downtown Buckhead. We love our new, trendy location-people are always reading our signs and popping in to say hello-but it’s an expensive venue.  So, like the good businesswomen we are, we try to utilize our space to the max. We constantly change the display in our storefront window, but one thing that's always the same is the bunch of heart balloons you’ll find right outside. As one of the newest employees, it’s my job to set-out these balloons. My lovely boss even purchased a new helium tank so that we can recycle balloons and cut back on trips to Party City.

Unfortunately, I have never been to clown school, and apparently, there is an art to filling balloons. This morning as I was using our new tank, I added too much helium causing the balloon to burst and making everyone flinch at the noise. We all laughed and joked that it sounded like a gunshot.

It was funny.

It was not funny when it happened six more times, or when two more balloons popped as I was taking them outside. Think there’s a quicker way to irritate your coworkers who are busy making phone calls? I doubt it. If you pass by our office today and notice the lone white balloon, then at least you’ll know the back-story.

One lonely balloon vs. the usual vibrant bunch

  

Single Strategies: Which Dating Service is Right for You?

As you already know, it’s National Singles Week; what you also know is that one of the best things about being single is playing the field and going out on a handful of fun, exciting dates. What might not be as clear is how to fill-up your calendar. Are you not meeting enough people or not meeting the right people? Then perhaps it’s time to enlist the help of a dating service/strategy.



Below are some options you might consider: Speed dating, Online dating, the Bar Scene, Eight at Eight Dinner Club, and One on One Matchmaking. You can find love anywhere, but if your time is extremely valuable, (who’s isn’t?) then you might want to take a more strategic approach, keeping in mind the pros & cons of each service/strategy.

	PROS	CONS
Speed Dating	This type of service is quick & relatively inexpensive.	But how well can you get to know someone in 60 seconds?
Online Dating	You can browse profiles in advance.This service gives you time to respond to personal questions with well thought out answers.You can “wink” at hotties in your PJ’s while brushing your teeth.	You feel like you’re browsing a catalogue – the human aspect was lost in the process of online love hunting.How much time do you waste before you finally get in front of someone – who turns out to be anything but the person they described in their profile?
The Bar Scene	A casual way to meet eligible singles close to home.	Yeah, but which ones? People travel in packs of singles and non-singles, making it hard to meet someone eligible.
Eight at Eight Dinner Club	Eight at Eight Dinner Club will seat you in a fun, vivacious group of 4 guys and 4 girls at amazing restaurants.We match our members based on our very own points of compatibility.	We don’t match on race or religion, so if you’re extremely particular about who you’d like to meet, then perhaps you should consider a personal matchmaker.
One on One Matchmaking	Personal attention from experienced matchmakers and feedback throughout the dating process.	Our membership is exclusive and elite. We are currently servicing the Atlanta area.

The #1 Reason You're Still Single

In honor of National Singles Week, Zoosk- an online dating site- conducted a survey with over 4,500 participants.

So what did they learn? Here are some of the highlights:

1) 64% of men say that they are more productive at work when in a relationship.

2) 90% of men and 85% of women would prefer a long-term relationship over having a pet.

3) The #1 reason that men and women claim they're single is the same: "I'm too picky."

Interesting! Click here to read the entire article.

Gestures Speak Louder than Words

Imagine yourself on a great first date. Take a moment and actually visualize what this might look like for you. Do you have a snapshot in your mind? Now, look at the pictures below. Which date would you rather be on?

 

As you can see body language makes an important statement. The way you position or move your body is as meaningful as what your say or how you act: you can appear stiff and unapproachable or warm and caring. They way you carry your body is typically a projection of how you feel about yourself, and it is a key factor is making a potential companion open and responsive. Remember, there is nothing sexier than self-confidence; this can be achieved just by monitoring your movements.

Here are some examples of body language and how these non-verbal actions could be interpreted: hands on hip-readiness, standing tall-confidence, arms crossed-defensiveness, tilted head-interest, touching hair-insecurity, rubbing hands-anticipation, open palms-sincerity. Want to make your date feel like they are the most important person in the room? Smile and make eye contact; it’s the clearest sign of interest and attraction.

Welcome to Dating 101

Have you ever seen the television show “Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader?” In this game show, adults are asked grade-school level questions, and you know what-the players frequently get these questions wrong. There would be no basis for the show if the players always answered the questions correctly. Here’s my point: there are some skills that are lost without consistent practice.  While it might not be too damaging to forget that 5^th grade history lesson, dating is a skill that you should constantly practice and maintain. We’re here to help you brush up on the basics. Our study guide, 4 Tips to Freshen Up Your Dating Life in September, will push you to the head of the class. With advice on supplies, focus, homework, and extracurriculars- you’ll ace Dating 101 by the weekend.

Meet Our Newest Addition to the Matchmaking Team

Eight at Eight Dinner Club & One on One Matchmaking are excited to introduce the newest recruit for our matchmaking circle. We are growing so quickly that we needed an addition to our team in order to keep up with our continued growth. Welcome Jana! We are so happy to have you with us.

Meet our Matchmaker: here's a little bit more about her.

Hometown: Born in Dubai, United Arab Emirates but moved to Cumming, Georgia when I was 13 for high school (talk about a culture shock!)

College: Undergrad - Georgia Southern University/ Grad school - Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta Campus

Major: Undergrad - Communications and PR. Grad - Arts Administration

Interests: Running, the outdoors, traveling, and having fun!

Favorite Foods: Can a condiment be a fav food? If so, buffalo sauce! (I'm addicted). If not then a grilled chicken buffalo sandwich with blue cheese dressing.

Favorite Sport/Team: Rugby (I played all through college). The New Zealand All Blacks. More locally, the Atlanta Falcons.

Dating Deal-Breakers

We all have them: those certain characteristics that our perfect mate must possess. He must like dogs. She must want children. Not a smoker. Religious.

We’re not saying that you should settle because having specified dating criteria can be helpful. It’s easier to find a partner if you’re aware of the type of person you’d like to meet. But sometimes these dating deal-breakers are taken to the extreme-like the ones listed in “I Would Never Date Someone Who Didn’t Own A ___.” Click on the following link to read some hilarious responses. How would you respond?

If you can’t get enough dating horror stories, then you should also check out Datingdealbreakers.com. The site has categories like “Cheaters and Liars,” “No! They Didn’t,” and “Pet Peeves.” But we warned, these stories can be rather graphic.

How to have a GREAT First Date

Has it been awhile since you’ve had a great first date? If so, then follow these tips to have a much more pleasant first-date experience.

1)     Like any endeavor in life, success in the dating field depends on preparation. Be prepared to discuss at least five general topics. Think about personal stories or subjects of interest you might discuss in case the conversation hits a lull. Good topics of conversation could include your work, volunteer activities, hobbies, favorite travel destinations, favorite sports teams, books you are reading, or movies you have seen.

2)     Remember to keep your expectations in check. Don’t immediately evaluate your companion as a potential life-long partner. Instead, if the conversation flows easily and there is mutual attraction, then you should be open to going out again.

3)      Keep a lively and positive attitude throughout the date. If you’re positive about yourself and the dating process, then you'll give yourself a better chance to succeed.