5 Feb

Taking Good Pictures

Models don’t get out of bed looking glamorous; the difference between models and mere mortals is that they know how to prepare themselves to be captured on film.  With so much riding on your online dating profile picture, it is important to make sure it is the best it can be.  While being photographed by a professional is a great option, it can be expensive.  Here are a few tips for getting a professional quality profile picture at home.

The first step is getting a friend who you trust and who already sees your natural beauty to come over and do a photo shoot.  Don’t plan on just one or two quick pictures; take your time and get it right. 

While you should not be afraid to pose, remember that you also need to look natural.  Your body should be in a position that highlights your best attributes, and your facial expression should be animated and lively.  Remember to smile. 

Choosing some good music to listen to and having a cup of tea or a glass of wine can help to relax you.  If its winter, turn up the heat so you feel nice and comfortable; you should also choose a variety of outfits to pose in. 

You can find an abundance of different tips and tricks online as to how models pose, and you and your photographer should read up before you start taking pictures.  Remember to have fun and get some shots that really reflect who you are.

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2 Feb

Accentuating the Positive

All too often dating singles will meet somebody online and feel comfortable immediately.  What often happens next is a situation in which, because of the comfort level you feel with the other person, you forget that they are still getting to know you – and may not feel as comfortable with you as you do with them.  One of the most important things to remember at the beginning of any relationship is to avoid being overly negative.

Try to remain positive and upbeat in all emails and conversations early in any relationship.  You can certainly bring up some negative things that happen, but do not talk exclusively about problems at work, at school, or at home.  Sometimes it helps to make a checklist of positive and interesting things that happened to you that day, or the interesting people you meet, before talking to the other person. 

For example, if you work in retail, don’t only talk about how boring your job is; instead, find some interesting aspect of your job to talk about.  Talk about a unique customer who came in and how they acted; point out  positive aspects that you noticed about them such being a good parent, having an interesting or attractive style, or being particularly funny. 

A new relationship should be all about fun and excitement.  Don’t spend those first few important phone calls and meetings dwelling only on the negative side of things.

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30 Jan

Take Care When You Compose a Personal Message

Although internet dating has taken the world by storm, there are still those who are sceptical about the entire online experience, but with gayPARSHIP you can kiss your scepticism good-bye.   If you have been thinking about lesbian dating, you should sign up for online dating with one of the most popular sites in Europe. 

If you are still unsure, take a look at the site.  The online magazine featured in gayPARSHIP includes articles on dating and relationships and some amazing success stories.  Some couples had to meet a few potential partners before they met the one, but they all have one thing in common, they were able to find their perfect match and form a long-term relationship.

Gay dating takes work, and if you have not had much luck connecting, gayPARSHIP has some wonderful advice written by relationship experts who have years of experience.  Read questions from other members and get answers from the experts.  One member asks why he has not been getting responses to his messages, Paula, the relationship expert at gayPARSHIP, tells Jason that he has not been personal enough and that he should create individual messages.  If you send the same generic message to someone you are not building much of a connection.  Before you send a message find out what the person that you are interested in likes to do for fun.  Mention their hobbies or favourite foods.  This shows the other member that you really do want to get to know them better.

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24 Jan

The Advantages of Online Dating

The popularity of online dating has soared as more and more people have access to the internet.  According to some studies, 69 per cent of first dates are now organised as a result of meeting on an online dating site or via a social networking site.

One of the many advantages of dating online is that you are in complete control of the information you choose to provide about yourself – it can be as specific or as general as you are comfortable with.  With most dating sites you are able to peruse thousands of member profiles in the safety and comfort of your own home without the pressure of actually having to meet them in a bar or other public venue, and choose who you would like to contact.  More importantly, you can control who is allowed to contact you. 

Internet dating also allows you to narrow down the number of prospects based on criteria such as age, geographical location, and certain personality traits and characteristics which are important to you.  This means that anyone you are put in contact with will already have several things about them which should appeal to you.  By using an online dating site such as Parship, you can also avail of many other services on offer such as articles filled with dating advice, and a continually updated dating blog.

Single people with a limited amount of time due to pressures from work or family commitments are finding that using online dating sites such as Parship fits perfectly into their busy lives.  Online dating is also particularly suitable for single people who haven’t dated for a while and who would be nervous about going into more pressure-filled social situations to meet potential partners.  Online dating gives people the opportunity to narrow down the pool of potential dates from the safety and anonymity of their own computers or mobile phones before even initiating contact, which serves to increase their chances of finding a compatible partner.

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19 Jan

Easing First Date Nerves

Preparation is key to easing those first date nerves.  It can be nerve-racking finally meeting someone with whom you have been chatting online for a while, but do not worry, there are steps you can take to ensure things run smoothly.

Arrange to meet somewhere you will both feel comfortable.  Meeting for a coffee is good, as it allows you to bail out and make your excuses if things are not going well.  Equally, it is easy to extend the date and move on somewhere else if things are rosy.  This is a getting to know you session, so it is important that you can hear each other speak.  Avoid noisy places with loud music and distractions.

Prepare topics of conversation to avoid any awkward silences.  You can refer to past conversations you have had online.  Ask questions and listen to the answers.  Remember communication is a two-way street and the only way we learn things about each other is by listening.

Be safe.  Before a first date with an unknown person tell a friend where you are going and who you will be with. 

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16 Jan

Random Dating Facts And Figures

There is no denying the fact that online dating has become a part of the mainstream.  No longer considered a place reserved for weirdos and geeks, online dating agencies are the third most popular way to meet a new partner today.  Testimony to the success of online dating are the many happily married couples spread across the world who have found their ideal partners via online dating websites.

Internet dating has become a really effective and successful way of meeting a partner, this in turn has spawned a massive industry worth 2.5 billion pounds worldwide.

A survey back in 2009 conducted by YouGov and Maestro, found there were 8.6 million adults in the UK actively dating.  That is approximately half of all singles.

The national average of dates per year is four.  However, it is well documented that online dating is a more efficient method of finding a partner and those using online dating sites tend to go on more dates, simply due to the fact that they meet more suitable potential partners with online dating.

Dating is not kind on your wallet or purse.  The average cost of a date is over £206.87, with men usually bearing the brunt financially.  However, the money spent by women on beauty products and clothes in preparation for dates is almost the same at £191.38.

Other facts you might bear in mind or even find useful whilst planning your dating campaign are.

Welsh people are on average the highest spenders on dates.

Glasgow is the place to go if you are looking for the highest ratio of single women to men in the United Kingdom.  Reading has the lowest ratio of single women to men in the United Kingdom.

One in five 19-25 year-olds who get married started their relationship online.

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13 Jan

Dating Rules That Men Should Follow, But Often Forget

You believe you have found your ideal woman on an online dating site and you have arranged a date.  You have a lot in common with her and you are really excited.  But you are nervous because it is ages since you have been on a date with someone.

Do not worry.  Here is some dating advice which should raise your chances of success.

It may seem obvious, but sometimes these things get overlooked.  Take a shower beforehand so you smell good.  Dress in some nice, clean and ironed clothes and wear some smart shoes.  Choose a contemporary but casual outfit, something you feel comfortable in, but still look like you have made an effort.  A shave and a trip to the barber will also help make a good impression.  Make sure your fingernails and teeth are clean.

Prepare in your mind topics of conversation you think she may enjoy.  Avoid topics that are too controversial, or sports, unless she shares your passion for football, for example.  Do not talk too much about your job, unless she seems truly interested.  A date is for getting to know each other and there has to be two-way traffic when it comes to the conversation.

Do not expect anything physical on a first date.  Women find patient, non-pushy men more attractive.  Do not use coarse language.  Speak respectfully and be polite to your date at all times.

Following these basic rules could mean the difference between getting a second date and getting the cold shoulder.

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8 Jan

The Best Way to Meet Someone

As people use the internet to accomplish more and more things in their lives – from paying the phone bill and grocery shopping to booking holidays and keeping in touch with friends and family – it seems natural that more individuals are turning to the internet for romance.  The stigma attached to meeting a partner through an online dating site no longer exists and, in fact, it is rapidly becoming the most popular way to look for someone with whom one might foster a long-term relationship.

Single people are more likely than ever before to meet a suitable mate online using the services of a dating site such as Parship UK.  Of the 15 million or so single adults in the UK and Ireland, it is estimated that one-third have organised a first date via an online dating or social networking site.  With more and more people logging on to UK and Irish dating sites on a daily basis, and sites like Parship utilizing the most advanced compatibility testing software on the market to match their members with the best potential long-term partners, the best way to meet that someone special may very well be online.

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25 Dec

Pacing Yourself With Online Dating

It is always a good idea to go local with your choice of online dating services.  If you are scanning through a list of Irish dating sites, evaluate them on the basis of their popularity among the masses.   Online reviews are a good measure to go by, or you could even go with references from friends that may have used such services.

Of the many sites that you might select, the Parship dating site could be one.  One of the basic things you need to do once you register on the site is to create an accurate profile.  In your profile, try and be as natural as possible.  You are trying to attract people who have similar interests as yourself.  Pretending that you are something you are not is taboo – do not do it.

Once your profile has had time to elicit some positive responses, the first step is to allow the other person to get to know you.  Let the sharing be mutual and never ask too many probing questions on your first few interactions.  There is a time and place to ask for a photograph and you will know when the moment is right.  Seeming over-enthusiastic can work against you.  There are times when your potential partner may seem a bit shy about expressing himself or herself and that is where you need to be able to put them at their ease, and put yourself forward.

As you get to know a person you will see that there is a kind of pace that sets into your communications.  Try and stick to that pace so as not to overwhelm the person you are in touch with, or get ahead of yourself.  When you think the time is right move on to meeting each other. The dynamics can change at this point and you will be able to better determine whether things will work out or not.

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17 Dec

Online Dating – The New Way to Date

Online dating is now an integral part of the dating scene; UK and Irish dating sites now have hundreds of thousands of members, and their membership is growing all the time.  There is no longer any stigma attached to using an online dating agency, or to meeting a new partner this way.  With increased access to the internet and more and more aspects of people’s lives taking place online, looking for a long-term partner online is not only convenient, but also seems logical.

The internet is playing a huge role in how many people start a serious relationship, and some recent studies indicate that 69 per cent of all first dates are now organised via an online dating or social networking site.  Other surveys have found that many people – and men in particular – find it easier to form relationships online initially, perhaps because they can express their emotions more freely and find it easier to say how they feel than they would in a face to face situation.

Dating in Ireland and the UK using online dating sites is growing rapidly, and one of the most successful sites is EHarmony Dating.  EHarmony Dating uses scientifically proven personality-matching software – as well as advice from a team of experienced relationship experts – to match individuals based on the answers members provide to a personality inventory questionnaire.  This questionnaire, which is quite straightforward and doesn’t take long to complete, helps the dating site find out facts about their members’ personality, attitudes, likes and dislikes, values, beliefs, and behaviours and they then use this information to match them with other like-minded singles.

As well as matching members with other members using a percentage compatibility score, EHarmony offers extras such as articles filled with dating advice, and members are provided with a phone number and email address of a personal dating counsellor who will answer any dating questions they might have.

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