Dating Tips for Women

General Dating Tips for Women

No matter what type of date is planned, some general advice can help any woman show up for a date feeling better prepared and more confident.

• For safety’s sake, in the early stages of a relationship, do not reveal more information about yourself than necessary. In other words, feel free to discuss your life in general, but avoid details that may make it easy for a date to turn stalker or that may lead your date into making a snap judgement about your personality.

• Do not make assumptions about a man based on physical appearance, education, or activities, just as you would not want him to make such assumptions about you. A shy man may be the most caring, while the man who seems perfect on the outside could be a perfect beast on the inside. Take it slow and let the relationship develop naturally as you get to know one another.

• Avoid dating men who seem overly possessive or insecure – that could lead to a dangerous situation and unhappy relationship.

• Be yourself: Television shows, movies, and popular magazines tout the virtues of a model’s body, perfect hair, and classic femininity, but that description matches very few women. Rather than try to meet an unrealistic ideal, focus on being the best person inside and out that you want to be. That confidence and honesty will attract dates who respect and value you as an individual rather than a trophy.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

How a woman acts is the key to keeping any guy around. Even a goddess can lose a man with inappropriate behavior, so take note of these action-oriented dating tips for women:

• Realize that most men feel compelled to pay for at least some parts of a date. If you are uncomfortable relying on their generosity, don’t hesitate to speak up and split the costs. At the same time, realize that he probably isn’t trying to indicate that you can’t pay and temper your attempts to pay with understanding.

• Keep conversation appropriate – avoid lengthy discussions about previous boyfriends, your desire to get married, or other controversial topics unless he expresses an interest, at least for the first few dates. Simultaneously, however, if he expresses an opinion you strongly disagree with, don’t demure to his wisdom – show him you have independent thoughts as well.

• Don’t be afraid to approach him if he doesn't approach you. Today’s women can be more assertive in their dating habits, and you don’t want another woman’s forthrightness to catch his attention first.

• While many women feel being tardy is their prerogative, many men are turned off by the regular practice. Punctuality is a matter of common courtesy and a display of mutual respect.

• Watch your body language – make eye contact and avoid crossing your arms, leaning away, or otherwise indicating that you’d prefer greater distance. Good posture is attractive to any man because it demonstrates a woman’s natural confidence.

• Be willing to try activities that he is interested in. You may discover a mutual passion for a particular hobby that can lead to creative and fun dates in the future. At the same time, do not feel obligated to join in activities that you know you will not enjoy. Bungee jumping may sounds like an exciting first date to him, but if he didn't find it necessary to consult with you, you aren't obligated to jump just because he paid for it.

Online Dating Tips for Women

In today’s technological society, many women visit dating websites to meet Mr. Right. Keep in mind that Internet dating can be substantially different from meet-and-greet dates.

Internet Safety

Unfortunately, Internet predators are eager to prey on women. For safety’s sake, follow these online dating tips for women:

• Keep personal information – phone number, address, etc. – very private until you’ve known the man for a substantial length of time.

• Do not state in your profile that you want to meet in person, even if that is your ultimate goal. Let a man who is interested in you find that out when he earns the privilege.

• To avoid confrontation based on miscommunication, be sure to demonstrate humor or sarcasm in your comments and emails with emoticons.

• Never post inaccurate photos (other people, retouched images, old photos) to make yourself more attractive. If the relationship develops and you meet, he may be offended that you’ve been dishonest about your appearance.

What Men Really Want

What men really want is a compatible relationship with someone who they enjoy being around and can trust. Be yourself and develop a relationship through friendship first, then you can find that dating is an enjoyable, low stress experience.