{"id":19242,"date":"2019-09-20T10:00:03","date_gmt":"2019-09-20T17:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/datemixstaging.wpengine.com\/?p=19242"},"modified":"2021-05-31T08:37:06","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T15:37:06","slug":"first-date-rules-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zoosk.com\/date-mix\/online-dating\/first-date-rules-2\/","title":{"rendered":"8 First Date Rules If You\u2019re Using Dating Apps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dating rules have changed a lot. Going out with people you meet on apps is not just normal, it\u2019s the standard. But because you didn\u2019t meet the old-fashioned way, there are a couple things to keep in mind when you\u2019re going on your first date. These eight first date rules will make sure you have a fun, safe time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. <\/span>Safety first.
\n<\/b>No matter how great your date seems, you don\u2019t actually know them yet. Plan a date in a public place and check in with a friend before and after. It might sound excessive, but don\u2019t lose sight of the fact that you\u2019re meeting a complete stranger.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Read their profile.
\n<\/b>When you meet up with an online match IRL, the last thing you want to ask is, \u201cSo, what do you do for work?\u201d The answer is probably right there on their profile\u2014remembering specifics about your date will earn you points. All of the information in their profile can serve as icebreakers and conversation starters. Ask to hear more about their job, where they went to college, or that picture they posted of themselves skiing. Thanks to their profile, you\u2019ll never run out of things to talk about and you won\u2019t have any awkward silences to fill.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Keep things casual.
\n<\/b>Your first date with someone you meet online doesn\u2019t have to be over the top or super romantic. All you need is a setting where you can get to know each other better and see if there\u2019s chemistry. Keep it low-key: drinks or a long walk are perfect.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. <\/span>Don\u2019t set sky-high expectations.
\n<\/b>You can get excited about your date, but it\u2019s best not to set too high of expectations. You don\u2019t know this person yet. There\u2019s no telling how it will go. That\u2019s not to say you should assume the worst so you won\u2019t be disappointed, because that\u2019s no fun, either. Find a balance between an optimistic \u201cit would be great if this worked out\u201d and a realistic \u201cthere are plenty of fish in the sea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. <\/span>Have an open mind.
\n<\/b>It\u2019s easy to overanalyze online dating profiles and dismiss people before you even meet them IRL. But the only way to really know if you\u2019re compatible with someone is to get together in person and see how it goes. Don\u2019t convince yourself of how the date will go before you even have it; keep an open mind, meet them, and go from there. You never know.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. <\/span>Be yourself.
\n<\/b>Out of all the online dating profiles they saw and out of all the people they could go on a date with, they chose to spend their time with you. Your date liked what they saw in your profile, so there\u2019s no reason to be who you think they want you to be. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. <\/span>There is no online dating stigma anymore.
\n<\/b>These days, meeting people on dating apps is one of the most common ways to make connections and find love. There\u2019s no reason to feel embarrassed about going out with someone you met online, so push that idea from your mind and don\u2019t give it a second thought.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. <\/span>Have fun!
\n<\/b>Remember: Online dating is supposed to be fun. You might not find The One every single time, but you can still enjoy getting to know someone and spending a fun night out over drinks, dinner, or a movie. If you\u2019re not having fun and it feels too much like work, maybe it\u2019s time to take a few weeks or months off from using the apps. They\u2019ll be there for you when you\u2019re ready to come back.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putting yourself out there is scary, but these tips will ease you into a first online date. Keep things light, casual, and fun, and who knows? Maybe things will blossom into a long, happy relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

First dates are tricky, especially, if you’ve never met the person. Follow these eight rules and you’ll be having a blast in no time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":79,"featured_media":19243,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[892,888],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-first-date-tips","category-online-dating"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n8 First Date Rules If You\u2019re Using Dating Apps<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"First dates are tricky, especially, if you've never met the person. 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