It\u2019s official \u2013 online dating etiquette is important and they have evolved. What worked for you last year might not work for you this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAww no!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I know, I know. But here\u2019s the thing: Online dating is complex. People<\/em> are complex. With more and more dating sites and dating apps popping up, and with more and more men and women joining online dating apps as online dating loses its stigma, the way you approach the whole thing has to be absolutely right. Otherwise, you will lose out \ud83d\ude41<\/p>\n\n\n\n And no one wants that to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So to give yourself every chance of success, join me as I take a look at 15 online dating rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People might have got away with a few white lies back in the day, but not anymore. It\u2019s just too easy to get caught out now that we\u2019re all over social media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not just that, but what if a lie you told on your dating profile begins to spin out of control? Maybe you took 5 years off your age on Tinder because you never expected to meet the man of your dreams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Three months down the line, you meet the man of your dreams \u2026 but he doesn\u2019t know your real age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, it\u2019s going to come out eventually and it might ruin everything.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dating has become so casual in 2019 that people think they can get away with telling a few lies. After all, none of us are taking these apps seriously, right? As if we\u2019d meet Prince Charming on Bumble! We just want some fun! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lies get the whole thing off to a terrible start and things will just get worse and worse. Always be honest, real and truthful. It will work out better for you in the long run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For me, it\u2019s just super impolite to wait a whole week to reply to someone. It also gives off the vibe that they\u2019re not looking for anything serious when someone does that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s nothing wrong<\/em> with taking your time, but if you\u2019re looking to seriously date someone and see where things can go, don\u2019t wait too long to reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019d say replying within 24 hours is a good rule of thumb to live by. It helps to keep the momentum going, and it shows interest \u2013 but it also doesn\u2019t show\u00a0too much<\/em>\u00a0interest.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Online dating is a game \u2013 whether you like that or not \u2013 and you don\u2019t want to show your entire hand by replying too fast all the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I can never understand people who say they don\u2019t ask questions on dating sites because they\u2019re \u201cnot really<\/em> interested\u201d in the other person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re not interested in them, just don\u2019t reply at all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If, on the other hand, you are interested, ask them questions. It keeps the conversation going, it\u2019s polite and it shows them you\u2019re interested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not sure which questions to ask? Keep your questions light and mundane from time to time, (\u201chow was your weekend?\u201d) but be imaginative, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I recommend you to take a look at this list of\u00a0questions you can ask on bumble<\/a>\u00a0for inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They don\u2019t like drinking? Deal with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They don\u2019t support your political party? Deal with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t spend time on a dating app trying to change someone you haven't even met yet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And definitely don\u2019t joke about it either: \u201cI bet I can get you drinking! :D\u201d is just plain rude. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I know some people who say things on dating apps that they\u2019d never say in real life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, it doesn\u2019t take them long to start \u201csexting<\/a>\u201d people. I guess being online makes them more confident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But not everyone is going to appreciate that, especially so soon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally speaking, it\u2019s much better to play things safe by avoiding vulgar talk that could get you un-matched, or at least change the way the other person feels about you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have strong political leanings and you\u2019re looking for a comrade, by all means, be political on a dating app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, if you want to broaden your chances of success and see who\u2019s out there, it\u2019s best if you keep politics out of the arena for now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Politics can make folk get angry, and you might show a potential date a side of you they\u2019d probably rather not see just yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n I used to be flexible with the follow-up message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShould I send one or not?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes I would, sometimes I wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thing is, if someone is really interested in you, they WILL reply eventually. Even if it\u2019s been a week, they will get back in touch. If you nudge them and say, \u201cHey! Not heard from you in a while, how\u2019s it going?\u201d you\u2019ll come across as needy \u2026 and that will break the attraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always stay cool and in control and never \u2013 under any circumstances \u2013 get tempted to send a follow-up message. It instantly weakens your position.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n It just isn\u2019t accepted etiquette to ask for someone\u2019s number straight off the bat anymore. Even in real life, girls (and maybe even guys) are now wary of handing out their number to someone they just met in a bar. Instead, they might offer their Snapchat or Instagram handle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019d say wait until you\u2019re fully in rapport with someone before you ask for their number. Maybe 3-4 days. You\u00a0could<\/em>\u00a0ask for their number sooner and it might work. But it\u2019s just safer to leave it for a few days.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n10 Tips to Improve Your Dating App Etiquette<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Be Truthful & Transparent <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Don\u2019t Leave Them Hanging\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Ask Interesting Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4.\u00a0Don\u2019t Try To \u201cChange\u201d Them\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Don\u2019t Act Vulgar\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Don\u2019t Get Political Too Soon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Don't Act Desperate <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Wait a Few Days Before Asking for Their Number\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Set Up a Date After 5-7 Days\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n