‘Dating’ Category

  1. What to Get a Girl for Valentine’s Day

    January 15, 2012 by Napauzi

    giftValentine’s Day is quickly approaching, so it’s about time for men to start scrambling around frantically trying to figure out what kind of gift to get that special girl. Generally speaking, if you have been dating for a long time (a year or more), you should probably go with jewelry or other gifts that signify a serious relationship. For all other circumstances, it is usually acceptable to get her a gift that fits her interests, without seeming overly serious. Such gifts might be a nice handbag she’s been eyeing, her favorite designer perfume, or other accessories that fall into her style of dressing.

    A great place to shop for these gifts is Zappos. The online store carries a huge variety of products by most major designers, and they always have the latest styles that women are looking for. Another great thing about Zappos is the prices; their prices are usually discounted quite a bit from regular retail. If you get your Zappos coupon code before ordering, you can save even more money off of your purchase. This way you can get a great gift for that special girl, but without draining your bank account. Shopping online is also the easiest way to find a great gift without spending hours fighting crowds in the mall.

    Now that you have the gift taken care of, remember that most girls are hoping for a special night out as well. Make sure to make plans to take her to a nice restaurant or to a new romantic movie she’s been dying to see. For the more imaginative guy, a home-cooked meal might be a more special and private way to spend the evening. If your climate is mild, a picnic in a gazebo with candlelight, or a boat ride out on a lake are some other great ideas. Whatever you do, just remember to plan the date around her interests and not something generic you saw in a movie. Make it special and she’s sure to remember this night forever.


  2. Ten Great Topics For The First Email

    December 19, 2011 by Napauzi

    So you’ve viewed profile after profile, and finally found one you like – now what? It’s time to email the lucky guy or girl. If you’re like most people, thinking of something to talk about is the hardest part. The following is a list of suggestions that will hopefully help you come up with good topics for that first email.

    1) Dive right in. Some dating sites actually tell you if the person is online at the moment. Simply email them or send a chat request, and say, “I see you’re online right now. Want to chat?”. This can work because a lot of people get on dating sites simply to find someone to talk to at the moment. If the conversation is good, you might get a date out of it.

    2)Ask them something about their area. Ask if they’ve ever been to a nearby tourist attraction, and whether it’s worth the time. Also, you might get bonus points for choosing something wacky or offbeat that they probably haven’t done yet.

    3)Look at their profile, and read about their hobbies and interests. If you have one in common, mention it. Don’t just say, “I like hiking, too” – ask a question, such as “Have you ever hiked that trail up Yellow Mountain?”. Asking a specific question is more likely to get you a reply.

    4)Crack a joke. But here’s the catch – just email them the first part of the joke. They have to respond to get the punch line.

    5)Tell them what you liked about their profile. Most people like compliments, and this also gives them a feel for why you found them interesting (and shows them you actually read the profile).

    6)Ask them what they’re looking for. Not only is this likely to get a reply, but it’s a good way to cut to the chase and see if you are anything close to what they want as well.

    7)Be random. Ask a question from way out in left field, like “Have you ever gone swing dancing?” or “What’s your opinion on horseradish?”. These will often get responses simply because they’re not typical and boring.

    8)Ask about their work. This may sound boring, but people do love to talk about themselves, and if they happen to be in a field they’re very passionate about, they will appreciate it.

    9)Use a pickup line so corny, they have to know you’re joking. This can backfire if the person has no sense of humor (although in that case, you probably don’t need to date them anyway). Only use it if their profile suggests they would understand the joke. They might even respond with a corny line of their own.

    10)Mention something that has happened recently in pop culture and ask their opinion. Something like, “So what’s the deal with Charlie Sheen?” is sure to be a conversation-starter. Pick something controversial that is likely to elicit an opinion, but stay away from politics for now.


  3. Your Social Life After College

    December 19, 2011 by Napauzi

    Many college graduates focus on finding a job and settling into a new city after graduation, but after a few months find themselves saying, “What now?”. Having a social life after college is so much different when you don’t have dozens of on-campus activities from which to choose every weekend. Men wonder where the women are, and women wonder how to get a boyfriend when their social lives suddenly collapse into a small bubble containing a few co-workers and a handful of neighbors.

    That’s why many single people in their 20s are using social media websites to stay in touch with old friends and meet new ones. They also try dating sites to meet new people. In fact, many report that even if it takes some time to find a boyfriend or girlfriend on a dating site, they make many new friends in the meantime. Dating sites can be a great way to meet people because rather than wading through awkward small talk at a party to find those with similar interests, you can filter through potential friends and love matches by looking at the interests and activities they report on their profiles.

    For those who moved to a new city after graduation, it can be a bit of culture shock to get used to a new place. On top of that, these young people may not know anyone in town and have yet to develop their frequent hangouts. It can be easy to fall into a routine of hiding out at home, eating frozen burritos and watching Seinfeld re-runs. This is where those social media sites can help out. It’s very easy to search for groups and businesses in town, and learn about social events that way. After joining a few local groups or “liking” a few business pages, the invitations for events will start to pour in. It can feel a little strange attending events alone at first, but those who view it as an adventure and an opportunity to try something new will be rewarded, and they won’t be attending alone for long.