Dating Relationships

By Joanne Elliott

Dating relationships are very diverse interactions that vary from person to person, and from couple to couple. It is quite hard to say what is right and what is wrong as everybody is an individual with their own beliefs, wants and needs. But this is exactly what makes dating relationships so special! Our own individual complexities, insecurities and personalities are the essence of what makes us human... and are also the reason why finding the perfect partner can sometimes be more difficult than it should be. Here are some simple guidelines to use in the initial stages of your new romance!

Asking the question

So you have had a great time emailing each other. You have built up a good rapport with one another over time. You have established common interests and there is a certain element of attraction there. Now what? Well it's simple. Take a deep breath and ask the question... "Would you like to meet?!".

The response

If you have taken the time to get to know the other person on a preliminary basis and you have gotten on well the chances are that the answer will be a 'yes'. If the answer is that the other person would like to meet at a far off date then don't panic unnecessarily. Perhaps they are very busy with their own lives or would prefer to get to know you even better before you meet face to face. You will meet up with each other when the time is right. But then there lies a very important question... where will you meet?

The venue - their choice

If your date has suggested the venue then take the time to do your research. Find out about the area and the actual venue itself – for example if it's a restaurant find out about the menu so you know what lies ahead for you! This will also give you an insight into the sort of person you are about to meet. The type of place that they like to go says a lot about their personality. If your research shows that the venue is overly expansive then perhaps they are really trying to impress you. Maybe if the venue is overly loud, where conversation could potentially be a problem, they are either shy or think they have little to talk to you about.

The venue - your choice

Consider the points made above. Your date will most certainly be forming opinions about you even before you meet, based on your choice of venue. The fact is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a good time – it's the thought that counts. If you have a low budget consider a venue that’s very local to reduce travel costs, or one that’s entirely free. For example, if you both like arts and culture go to a museum, or if you are more ‘outdoorsy’ people then go for a walk on the beach, in the country or in the hills. This will not be perceived as miserly or ignorant if you find a venue where you can share the common interests that you have talked about in pervious emails or phone conversations... in fact it will be perceived as a thoughtful and graceful gesture.