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Who will you be Wearing this Christmas?!

Singles365 — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 09:19:38 +0000

So that time of year has arrived – inevitably early again I’m sure you’ll all agree! As the Christmas lights are being turned on in your local high streets, the TV ads are rolling in displaying all of your festive consumer needs and the family phone calls are beginning to ring with the familiar conundrum of whose turn is it to host this year… I got into thinking about dating at Christmas – not about what to do as the possibilities are obvious and endless…shopping, ice skating, Christmas light displays, Christmas markets, Christmas Parties… It is without a doubt the best time to date as the possibilities are exciting and endless…It was more of what should one wear to such events? Can ear muffs ever be appealing to that potential other half and really how formal is formal at an office party – that reoccurring nightmare of turning up over or under-dressed – or having to don hideous fancy dress reindeer ears. I think firstly you have to assess where your Christmas date will be taking place – if it’s outdoors it would be rather foolish not to wrap up and potentially be unable to partake in a second date as you’re laid up in bed with a horrible winter cold – in this case, ear muffs just might be considered acceptable! Secondly I think you need to assess the formality of the event. If you have been invited to your dates Christmas party the venue should give the level of formality away – do your research – ask where the venue is and use the trusty old internet to investigate! The venue will no doubt reveal what the atmosphere and dress code is likely to be like. Thirdly; and probably most simply; wherever and whoever your Christmas dates – be comfortable. Dress how you like, reflect yourself – the more comfortable you feel on the inside – no doubt the more attractive you will look on the out!

Dating in London

Singles365 — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:35:16 +0000

Singles365 has been connecting London singles since 2003. We thought it was about time we had a closer look at what’s been going on in the London dating scene! Dating in London is hugely popular not only with London singles, but with fun singles from all around the UK who want to impress their date with the atmosphere and variety dating in London has to offer. As our members all know, Singles365 is all about getting out there, having fun and making it happen! Dating in London absolutely feeds off this ethos – with endless activities, the quirky, the cultural, the artistic – there is something for everyone! With this in mind I asked the Singles365 Team where their favourite dates in London were…

London Dating – Soho

‘Soho is a really cool and quirky place to take your date in London. Tapas at the Barrafina to start! It is a sleek and romantic restaurant that serves exceptional food – you’ll be spoiled for choice! Then for afters a 2 minute walk down the road to Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. Even if Jazz isn’t your thing…it’s seriously impressive either way! The seating is intimate and each table is served and candle lit. The atmosphere; the music, the great selection of cocktails and the dim lighting all adds to the romance!’

London Dating – South Bank

‘Dating in London…has to be the London Rib Voyage! You board by the London Eye Millennium Pier and head east along the Thames towards Canary Wharf. It’s a mixture of racing at 400 horse power…and sightseeing for where there are speed restrictions…a definite way to pump up a bit of adrenaline between you and that special person on your London date! The best bit about it has to be that the tour guides are actual comedians. Boat trip and comedy in one…stroke of genius! Best London date I have taken anyone on!’

London Dating – Camden

‘Someone took me for an amazing date in London once! We met at Camden lock Market and had a look around and all the quirky bits and bobs! Then we took a walk along the canal to Little Venice – the scenery, pretty boats and water oozed Italian romance! That date in London definitely won me over!’

Why don’t you join thousands of London singles and give dating in London a go?! We’d love to hear about your London dating stories or if you have tried any of the dates in London mentioned above?!

Comments welcome below!

The Singles365 Team!

Who should pay for the first date?

Singles365 — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 10:52:30 +0000

That modern conundrum that many have tried to tackle, conceptualize and understand – that has, perhaps, in part been quite a taboo subject until recent years – first dates – who should foot the bill?

Now, the well known history of dating traditionalizes the male counterpart as a chivalrous figure – there to romance his lady friend and certainly to foot the bill. In all honesty would Mr Darcy be so seductively fancible if he’d suggested to ‘go Dutch darling’ – would Romeo have asked Juliet to grab him a diet coke and medium popcorn from the food booth at the cinema? – Would Heathcliff have left Cathy’s bedroom window locked to save on the central heating bill? – I should think not. Ok, so maybe this is a slightly traditional view (feminists would say the intertextualism mirrors my backward vision) – but researching into the subject more I find myself confronted with the fact that times are changing … So not to be clouded by my own idealist views on traditional romance I asked a number of people what their thoughts on the subject might be…

Equal Society

Ok, so apparently us females have been getting a free ride for far too long! We’ve marched on parliament, thrown ourselves under horses, burnt our bras…we’ve even endorsed the concept of ‘Girl Power’ through 5 overpowering women with ridiculously high shoes! Isn’t it about time we embraced the society our past feminist sisters strove to build for us? Isn’t it about time to went halves on a meal…or even…offered to pay…

A few people thought so (may I add – not only of the male persuasion!)

The Female should always offer

So this one really comes down to etiquette – it is polite to offer – I have even partaken in this act of conventional society myself! The ‘offer’ was a common consideration that popped up amongst the men and women I asked – the question is however – just how genuine is ‘the offer’. A survey of 74,000 online Elle readers named the ‘Money, Sex and Love’ survey found that 57% of women offer to pay the bill. Over half you might say, a generous offering you might think – Wrong. 34% of those 57% would be extremely annoyed if their date actually accepted. This must be terribly confusing for both parties… Ladies just remember to actually bring your purse incase he takes you up on ‘the offer’.

Whoever asked should pay

This one seems quite simple – whoever instigated the event of a first date should pay, regardless of gender. This seems to make sense – surely the instigator is most likely to take on the role of the impresser and treat their date by footing the bill at the end of the evening?

I’m torn. Is this the death of romance? Or are we just embracing modernity? Go on…what do you think??? Comments welcome below.

Quick Tip: don’t be too forward

Singles365 — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:59:58 +0000

It may seem like a cliche, but if you want to keep your date interested never be too forward or come across as overly keen. If you always keep them guessing, retain some allure and an ounce of unavailability, they’ll be into you a lot more. Ladies, maintain a bit of mystery and remember that men love the thrill of the chase so if you’re too available he’ll lose interest; and gents, don’t be the over-keen nice guy who texts too often or offers to do odd jobs around the house before you’ve even been invited in for coffee.

Quick Tip: throw in a well-timed compliment

Singles365 — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:58:52 +0000

Whether you’re male or female, a well-timed genuine compliment is a must on a date. Now we’re not suggesting you compliment them at first sight because that’ll come across as far too planned, but at some point throughout the evening, throw in a compliment and make it one you actually mean. You might like their shirt, the fact it brings out the colour of their eyes, an expression of theirs or even their shoes! Whatever it is, pick one thing you actually think “yeah” about them and throw it into the conversation.

Quick Tip: Keep The First Date Casual

Singles365 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:26:11 +0000

Keep the first date relaxed and you'll have a much better time getting to know each other!

If you’re dating, it’s a good idea to keep the first date relaxed and casual so you can really get to know each other.

If it’s the first date, keep it casual because there’s nothing worse than having to sit through a slap-up three course meal, sitting opposite someone you don’t want to be there with!

You’ll both feel more relaxed and at ease with each other if you’ve meet somewhere casual for that all-important first date, so you can focus on each other, enjoy good conversation and really get to know each other. Save the extravagance for the third date when you really want to impress and are 100% sure tht you both want to be there.

Quick Tip: actually listen!!!

Singles365 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:03:13 +0000

It’s one thing to sit nodding while your date’s telling you about themself, but listen carefully and you’ve got a gold mine of potential brownie-point-winning ammunition. Pay attention and chances are by the end of the evening you’ll know all sorts of useful snippets like their birthday, favourite music, favourite restaurants and hobbies that will allow you to make all sorts of thoughtful gestures in the following days and weeks.

Quick Tip: listen

Singles365 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:05:17 +0000

Unless you’re in a position to know next week’s lottery result, one of the most attractive qualities you can have is the ability to listen. There’s no better way to make someone feel special than to take an interest in what they’re saying so sit back and let your date tell you about themself. You shouldn’t take it to extremes (you don’t want to come across as having nothing to say) but make sure you don’t dominate the conversation.

Quick Tip: be nice – to everyone

Singles365 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:26:40 +0000

If you’re out at a restaurant, make sure you’re not only charming your date but that you’re being polite to the staff too. You may think that being rude to your waiter makes you look confident and in control, but to your date it just makes you look like you’re happy to treat people, including them, badly. Don’t go too far though, or you could end up spending the evening flirting with anyone who comes within ten feet of you which won’t go down too well with your date.

Quick Tip: be on time

Singles365 — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:05:48 +0000

If you don’t want your date to feel like they’re right at the bottom of your list of priorities then get there in plenty of time, even if you end up waiting in the car for ten minutes so as not to appear over-eager. There’s no such thing as “fashionably late”, and ladies this applies to you too – as much as men are rumoured to enjoy the thrill of the chase, there’s no fun to be had from sitting alone in a restaurant for half an hour, wondering if you’ve been stood up!!!