RENA AND FEARGAL’S TOP DATING TIPS

Do something

Ditch the procrastination. Set up online dating profiles, join a dating agency, badger your friends into setting you up on dates, take up a hobby or join a club. Get out there and help Cupid along.

Have hope

If one style of dating isn’t working for you try something else. There are so many options, it has never been easier to meet new people so plough on and be positive.

Have realistic expectations

It’s fine to be aspirational as long as aspirations don’t make you blind to all the most suitable matches for you. Make sure there are no double standards, eg, if you want someone fit and healthy, are you fit and healthy? Have a grounded opinion of yourself.

Give them a chance

Romcoms are the enemy of daters. They propagate an unrealistic view of first romantic encounters, that expectation of serendipity. We always say to people, if there is even the tiniest hint of a spark, then investigate it. Go on a second, third or even fourth date. People can be very different versions of themselves when the pressure of a first date is over with. Most relationships are a slow grow so don’t miss out because you’re fixated by immediate chemistry.

Don’t be an intellectual snob

A person’s qualifications are not a measure on how intelligent, interesting or successful they are.

The age-old divide

There’s a better chance of a relationship lasting if you at least share a generation so be realistic on age and you’ll surely be successful in love.

Be prepared to travel

A reluctance to travel outside their own county really narrows the pool. Some 50% of singletons surveyed said they wouldn’t be willing to move house for their perfect partner and 24% said they wouldn’t be happy to live an hour apart. Lose this obsession with location.

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