When you meet someone online and plan a first date, choose an inexpensive and casual location. If it goes well, and both of you enjoy each other's company, then consider dating again in the future. The purpose of this dating tip is to reduce dating costs and risks. I also want to expose some dating myths that hurt many people: 1). "You need to impress your date" (more expensively than he/she does) 2). "It's okay if we don't like each other; we can get together again in the near future because dating is all about putting yourself out there!" [That means spending even more money!] 3). "If we go on one good date, it will lead to another good date and dating will always be great!" The first date is such a significant milestone in dating because it sets the tone for future dating. Most dating experts recommend dating three times before deciding if you like the other person or not. What happens often is that people go on three dates with someone, but after the fourth date they discover that their chemistry just isn't there, so they part ways. However, when I was dating I realized that if we met for coffee (or something equally low-cost) on the first date, then had another inexpensive date or two before spending more money on expensive dinners or events, we could better decide how well suited we were for each other. If our chemistry wasn't really there at any point in dating, then we would cut dating short and part ways. It's a dating myth to believe that "putting yourself out there" means dating more guys/girls in the near future. A dating tip I always use is: if you aren't turned on when talking to someone, don't go on a date with him or her. If you enjoy his or her conversation but just can't see enjoying it for years into the future, then give dating a stop and remain friends with that person instead of pretending that dating him or her will eventually turn out great. If dating doesn't turn out well after three dates, both people involved should ideally agree to stop dating and remain friends rather than continuing to spend money on expensive dinners or events because dating should be enjoyable, not a source of stress. I hope this dating tip helped you in some way, and that dating will be more pleasant for you from now on because you have a greater awareness that dating is an investment. It's understandable if the dating process is stressful at times due to a lack of knowledge about what works best when dating, but dating isn't supposed to hurt or make anyone feel bad - it's supposed to bring us closer to the people we are most compatible with! In conclusion: My dating tips usually focus on establishing sexual relationships quickly, even within days sometimes. I acknowledge that many "normal" men and women expect dating before sex these days (I don't care what feminists say, dating is usually how normal people become close enough to have sex), so this dating tip focused on dating without the intention of dating more than once or twice. I've talked to thousands of women and men about their dating styles, costs, etc., so whether you are looking for dating ideas or just want some insight into romance I hope to be helpful! If you liked the article, please share it with others who could benefit from it - thanks! -Keena N. Griffin (Miss Keen) ***Save yourself the time, energy and money. Stop dating. I know what you are thinking… "I can't believe she would say this to someone who is trying to find a dating partner". Let me explain further. If you are dating online or offline, meaning dating in real life, then do it because you want to date the person enough to see if there might be something more than just dating with him/her so much so that you may want to commit your time wrapped up with their person. The first date should not last longer than 30 minutes at the most. That final amount of time depends on how well conversation goes during dinner or drinks. Do not allow yourselves to stay out later than one hour You need an out ! It is important to have a brief first date. I recommend 30 minutes for dating online and/or offline. But, if you say 60 minutes as an out, it takes some of the pressure off the two of you. You can always say "I'm so sorry" or something to that effect which goes along with being polite and having good table manners. This is a great opportunity to pay attention to how you react in uncomfortable situations. Be on time If your date is on time then there might be hope for him/her yet! Do not keep someone waiting for 30 or 45+ minutes because you had no idea that your time meant anything other than just words written on paper (a dating profile). Being late also sends a message about what you think of the other person. If there is no respect, then dating should stop right there! Do not bring up your dating profile Your online dating profile does not tell everything about you. It essentially tells people that you are single, looking for dating partners and are open to dating both men and women (if necessary). Meeting someone offline shows them who you are as a person. You can still be shy or extremely introverted but that isn't because of an online dating profile, it's because that's just who you are currently. So, don't mention your dating profile at all during dinner or drinks because it puts pressure on the conversation which might lead to topics being brought up prematurely. Don't make this mistake -