Blogging season is here! Covering new, cool things in Philadelphia (or even the oldies that I may just have not discovered yet) requires going to a lot of events (which I am so grateful for). Seriously, forcing myself to go out after work was one of the reasons I started this blog, and I can honestly say getting out there has helped me in so many aspects of my life. If you want to start a blogging adventure of your own, it might be worth visiting hostiserver.com for assistance regarding your web hosting needs. But, the one thing about events in this city (that I’ve found, anyway) is, when they’re happening, they’re all happening, so there is a lot to blog about. Although I’ve found setting up various social media platforms has also helped me out to share with my followers where I’m currently at. When I first started my blogging I knew I wanted to share my experiences on other platforms too, and I didn’t have the biggest following on them. Looking into real Instaforce reviews seems to have helped quite a few people to get more interaction on their pages, so I took influence from this! Anyways, after a very boring January, this last week was my first week back out with my normal schedule – and I had so much fun, and I just had to share it! Come along on a week in my life . . .
{Online Dating} First Date Tips
My name is Emily, and I am riding the online dating train. For the past 10 months, I have been trying my luck online in hopes of meeting a great guy who likes to travel, appreciates Philadelphia sports teams, and makes me laugh. (It also wouldn’t hurt if he had a job & didn’t live with his mother.) On my first few dates, I was nervous, just like everyone else. But after over 30 first dates and meeting many, many different types of men, I’ve settled upon a few basic principles that make meeting a new guy a few times a month no big deal.
1. Suggest your own date location. For me, I only feel comfortable doing drinks on a first date, so I have a few select bars I use in rotation for my first date spots. Home court advantage means you’ll know how crowded the bar gets on certain nights, have a go-to drink to order or recommend, and feel comfortable overall.
2. Before you leave the house, give yourself 10 minutes to review your date’s photos and your online conversation. This helps your recognize your potential match quickly when meeting at a crowded spot, and gives you the confidence to reference things you’ve spoken about prior (and not ask men who are not nurses how their nursing job is going).
3. If you haven’t spoken on the phone yet, give your date a call on your way to meet him. Hearing his voice always makes me more comfortable as it takes away one layer of surprise. Plus, a quick chat on the phone gives you a chance to figure out exactly where he will be positioned at the meeting spot.
4. This one pains me to say, but, be prepared to pay. I am slightly spiteful about this point, but believe me, even the men you’re sure will pick up the tab can surprise you. Having cash on hand (and not just twenties, grab a few of those small bills) will make a potentially awkward situation a little bit less awkward.
5. Smile, breathe, and remember it’s just. a. date. Give yourself a few moments before you round the corner. Check your lip gloss, fix your hair, and take a deep breath. You are beautiful, fabulous, smart, and this date will go well. And if it doesn’t, cities are big, and the chance that you’ll ever see this man again is slim to none.
The Philadelphia Online Dating Scene {The Good, the Bad & the Cray Cray}
Saying that though, some people may like pick-up lines, and I guess not all of them are bad. It just depends on which ones people choose to start a conversation off with. A good first impression is key. Maybe this article by knowledge for men on awesome pick up lines could give guys a little head start when it comes to attracting a woman.
So there you have it, an honest Philly girl take on how our online dating world works. A big thank you to Carly, Victoria & Miranda for helping me with this post. If this is a topic you’d be interested in hearing more about, let me know. I have loooots of tales that deserve to be told. Have you dabbled in the world of swiping & blind dates? I’d love to hear some stories!