Telling Lies

Just don’t do it. You’ll almost always get caught at some point and once trust is ruined, it can be nearly impossible to regain. There’s a valid reason the old adage ‘Honesty is the best policy’ has been around for so long; it’s because it’s true. A relationship based on lies will never survive.

Telling Too Much Too Soon

While it’s important to be honest, it’s not necessary to spill your guts about every little detail of your past on the first couple of dates. In the world of singles dating, no one wants to hear the sordid story of your most recent break-up in painfully excruciating detail, not on the first date or two anyway. Give the relationship time to build before sharing boatloads of intimate personal information.

Trying Too Hard to Impress

One of the best ways to turn off a date’s interest is by trying too hard to impress them with what you know, who you know, how much money you make or the awesome car you drive. It won’t impress, it will just make you sound like a braggart.

Drinking Too Much

A big no-no, especially on a first date. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a good glass of wine with dinner, but nobody enjoys the company of a drunk. It’s a surefire way to guarantee you never hear from your date again.

Taking Calls on Your Cell Phone

What a great way to tell your date how completely unimportant they are. Unless you’re in a profession that puts you on call, there’s nothing so urgent that it can’t wait until the date is over. In the singles dating world, everyone has a cell phone, but nobody enjoys the date being put on hold while you answer it. It’s just rude; don’t be guilty of it.

Flirting with Others

While you may think it shows how attractive you are to the opposite sex, all it really does is send the message to your date that you have no regard for their feelings. If you can’t control the desire to flirt, perhaps you shouldn’t be in the singles-dating arena, maybe you need to just stay single.

Showing Up Late

This is a mistake that goes beyond the borders of singles dating; showing up late for any appointment is considered rude. It conveys a certain amount of arrogance on your part, that your agenda is more important than someone else’s time. Show you care by showing up on time.

Monopolizing the Conversation

A conversation should be a dialogue between two people, with both contributing equally to the content. When you spend most of the time talking about your ex, your exploits, or anything else without encouraging and allowing your date to respond, the conversation becomes a monologue. And your date will most likely become bored.

Moving Too Fast

A big mistake made by many singles dating today is rushing into a relationship without giving it time to grow naturally. Jumping into bed too soon, showing jealousy or possessiveness, or fantasizing about the future with someone you hardly know are all signs that you’re moving faster than the relationship. Slow down and enjoy the process of getting to know a person first.

written by: Aelicia J. Anderson (singlesguide.org)