USA TODAY US Edition

‘AskMatch’ pairs you with experts

- Dalvin Brown

When online dating shifts to the real world meetup, it helps to be prepared – or in this case, perhaps, pre-paired.

Match is launching a service called “AskMatch” that helps people decide on where to go for a first date, what to wear and when to bring up tough subjects.

The service works by pairing members with a dating coach with whom they can briefly chat over the phone and the relationsh­ip experts will talk you through your decisions free of charge.

“In this tech-driven world, Match is focused on getting our members into real-world relationsh­ips, and that starts with investing in our relationsh­ip with our members,” said CEO Hesam Hosseini.

The service can help daters navigate modern relationsh­ip building where “ghosting,” “orbiting” and “slow fade” tactics abound.

In case you were wondering, “ghosting” is breaking off a relationsh­ip by ceasing all communicat­ion without any apparent warning or justificat­ion. “Orbiting” is when the person who ghosted you continues to linger in your life by following you on social media or watching everything you post.

The “slow fade” isn’t ghosting, but it’s not engagement, either. Instead of telling you they don’t want to see you again, the slow fader maintains infrequent communicat­ion for extended periods of time.

The dating helper on the other end of the line also can serve as a sounding board if your friends keep giving you the same advice or when you don’t have anyone to rant to about your dating life.

Rollout begins immediatel­y in New York City. The program will be nationwide by 2020.

 ?? MATCH ?? AskMatch connects you with a dating expert you can talk to in real time.
MATCH AskMatch connects you with a dating expert you can talk to in real time.

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