NEED TIPS ON DATING AFTER LOCKDOWN? WHY
Having a few virtual dates before you meet is perfectly acceptable. Video chatting in your loungewear doesn’t count. It needs to be a proper date – get dressed up, sit together online and maybe cook and eat together while you chat. Don’t accept a date if you are not feeling it. If you have no chemistry online, chances are it will be worse in real life.
Save the really interesting stuff about you until you meet in real life. If you’ve spoken about all the fun stories and crazy times before you meet, the date itself will be dry as ice. No matter how much you think you like them, always meet in a public place for the first four dates. Be safe – you won’t regret it.
If you are worried about Covid, check transmission rates in both of your areas, then choose the safest place to meet up.
Don’t be afraid to explain your Covid boundaries to your date. If you want to wear a mask and stay two metres apart, tell them before. It’s important to set boundaries so that you feel comfortable. If they don’t want to respect those and cancel, then you’ve just dodged a bullet. Don’t be afraid to ask for a Covid test before meeting. Your boundaries. Your health. Your rules.
Wear deodorant and perfume/ cologne – just because you may be two metres apart doesn’t mean you still don’t need to have impeccable personal hygiene. Even through a mask, body odour can waft in and will be an instant turn-off.
If you meet up and masks are still mandatory, make sure it’s a fresh one. A dirty, old, stale mask is a huge turn-off before the date has even started properly.