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| The following Guidelines are designed
to allow you to enjoy The Dating Channel’s services
safely and with peace of mind. |
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Please
remember that when using The Dating Channel
service it is wise to take a few simple precautions
to ensure your safety. For all the great experiences
online dating can create, there are also some
dangers too. These can be minimised with just
a little common sense and some forethought.
The trick is to stick to some general rules
so you can safely explore and date on the
web and if you’ve got the guts through the
TV B
on TV…
Deciding where to meet for a relaxed first
date should be given some serious thought.
Here are The Dating Channel’s top tips:
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Never give your last name,
home address, phone number
or other ways someone can find you. Stop communication
with anyone who pressures you for this information
or who writes things that make you feel weird or
uncomfortable.
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Pay attention to red flags.
Steer clear of someone who gets angry, frustrated,
or puts pressure on you, or says negative things
about you, your family, or friends. Remember, people
you meet on the Internet may not be who they say
they are.
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Arrange
to meet for coffee or lunch rather than dinner
when arranging to meet for the first time. Not only
are you safer in broad daylight but you don’t waste
time if it doesn’t work. There’s nothing worse than
being stuck for hours with someone with whom you
don’t have much in common. Help prevent any misunderstanding
by being polite but honest. If you don’t fancy them
just say, for example “You’re a great person,
but unfortunately, not what I was looking for”.
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Go publicly – go safely!
It’s always advisable to meet
in a public place. If at any time you become uncomfortable,
engage in a conversation with a member of staff,
perhaps a waiter/waitress, so it’s obvious you’ve
been seen with them. Having your own travel arrangements
to and from the date is also a good idea.
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Don’t invite strangers
to your home and don’t go to theirs until
you know them very well. Similarly, don’t divulge
too many personal details, too early on.
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Trust your gut instinct.
Are they using the service for the right reasons
or are they looking for something different?
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Always give the details
of your date to several friends and/or family
– where you’ll be, the time you’ll meet, the details
of who you’re meeting and how you met. Phone to
let them know all is well. Your date should understand
that your safety and your loved ones’ peace of mind
should be their concern too. Be safe and have fun!
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| Whether you’re going ‘on a first
date’ or you’re at the ‘getting to know you’ stage
of a relationship here are some dating Dos and Don’ts
from The Dating Channel team. Some hints on what
to say, what to wear, how to flirt successfully
and how to secure that ever so important second
date! |
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Be sincere
– cheesy lines like “your eyes are like two
dazzling stars in the evening sky” just don’t
cut it.
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Don’t be forceful and take
things slow – you want
to leave with the date of your dreams not the bouncer.
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Eat like you normally would
– pushing your food round the plate with a fork
or eating like a starved dog isn’t very attractive.
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Drink in moderation
– nobody likes a drunk date who wants to tell you
their life story and later tells the waiter they
love them.
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Be original and have a
sense of humour – this will break the ice. Sitting
in silence will bore your date and have them trying
to escape through the toilet window.
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Make the first move when
the time is right – you only live once and you’ll
spend the rest of the week regretting it if you
don’t.
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Visit a place of shared
interest. You’ll have
enough to talk about and will be able to avoid awkward
moments and difficult silences.
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Plan where you want to
go together – this avoids embarrassing situations
like taking your teetotaler date to a wine tasting
session.
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Make dress codes clear.
Your date may be mistaken for a royal if they turn
up wearing a ball gown to the Odeon.
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| Watch for body language – if your
date is making paper aeroplanes out of the napkins
or picking their nose then we can guarantee they’re
not interested. |
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Don’t leave your mobile
on so that you can chat
to your mum about her corns, but do leave it on
silent for emergencies.
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Never pretend you like
doing something you actually don’t.
You risk upsetting your date if they find out you
lied.
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Don’t eat before a date
– especially before a dinner date or eat food containing
garlic or little herbs that get stuck to your teeth.
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Try not to forget your
wallet and plenty of money.
If you’re a guy this is paramount. If you’re a lady
then you may want to go halves on a first date to
make it neutral.
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Only go to the cinema on
a first date if it’s your last option.
You can’t talk, you can’t see each other, and those
partial to fifty winks may find themselves waking
up at the end of the film with their head on somebody
else’s shoulder dribbling down their shirt.
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Try not to look desperate.
Buying expensive gifts like diamond rings or wearing
so much make-up you look like Barbara Cartland or
Christina Agulera.
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Don’t ask to go back their
place after the date –
wait for them to offer. Try not to make it too obvious
that you want something more.
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Don’t stand them up, make
stupid excuses or get
your mates to ring if you want to cancel a date
or reschedule.
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Put aftershave and perfume
on in moderation. Giving
your date an asthma attack without knowledge of
first aid is a big no, no.
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