5 Online Dating Rules
5 Online Dating Rules (Cebu Version)
Are you familiar with Tinder, OkCupid, Brenda, Grindr, Badoo, or WeChat? If NO or you’ve heard it but you didn’t use it, NO WONDER YOU’RE STILL SINGLE! But I don’t blame you if you haven’t tried them. These App-based Dating Platforms are such a hit in the US and Europe that it’s been a favorite topic on Hollywood movies and articles online.
In the Philippines, even if we ‘try’ to be as liberated and open-minded on any social issues, when it comes to ‘Dating’, we still stick to the traditional courting and dating. Girls,Guys and the In-Between hoped to meet their ‘ideal mate’ the next person they’ll be dating and eventually be that person they end up in marriage. I get a lot of feedback from friends who tried using any of those Dating Apps mentioned and gave up using them because they can’t find their match, or they like someone but that someone doesn’t respond back.
NEWS FLASH: That’s not how Online Dating (App-based) works! Let me tell you these 5 ONLINE DATING RULES (Cebu and Philippine Version) so you’ll have a great and awesome time using them…
Rule#1. It’s NOT an App for those looking for MARRIAGE.
Please don’t be desperate and hope that the next person you’ll have a match will eventually be your lifetime partner. There are others looking for their special someone in the App but most active users are just looking for fun, and by fun, that means a great time getting to know a stranger. So don’t expect that the next guy or girl you’ll meet in person will be your next lover.
Rule#2. Don’t Be YOURSELF.
Ever wondered why you’re still single? Haven’t it crossed your mind that you’re BORING? You may be introvert for the longest time and getting to know someone is a challenge.
The good news is, these APPS are your portal to your alter ego. It’s an avenue where you can pretend to be someone else, someone you’re not. You can put on your profile that you’re a doctor, lawyer, stripper, or anything not true about you. You can even use an alias for your name.
Bottom line is, you have to make your profile interesting so that you’ll get a response from someone who thinks you’re interesting.
Rule#3. Don’t JUDGE.
Now you’ve downloaded the App and started to use it. Most Apps will show you all the users near you and you’ll have to rate their pictures, either you ‘like’ them or not by swiping right or left. Before you start swiping, CHECK YOURSELF IN THE MIRROR. Unless you’re a celebrity, a model or really,really good looking, then you have no right to judge others by their looks. Remember the Golden rule, if you want others to ‘like’ or swipe right your profile, then do the same thing by liking and swiping everyone’s profile. By doing this, you’ll know who among the users ‘like’ you instead of you waiting that someone you ‘like’ liked you back (loser).
Another benefit is you can then choose among the users who ‘like’ you who you’d like to communicate or get to know better.
Rule#4. NEVER SAY ‘HI’, “HELLO”, or ‘HOW ARE YOU” As An Ice Breaker.
‘Hi’, ‘Hello’, and ‘How Are you’ are so generic and overused that it will most likely not get any response. A great and effective way to initiate a chat conversation is by using pick-up lines. You can use any pick-up lines online, in the movies, or if you’re creative, make one yourself. My personal fave is “I’m GUILTY”. And when they reply ‘huh?’ or ‘why’, my next response is “I’m GUILTY of Starting to FALL In LOVE With You”. And most likely, they’ll just laugh and you can choose any topic you’d like to talk about.
Rule#5. Don’t Use EMOTIONS.
App-based or Online Dating are considered CASUAL DATING. It’s basically just for fun and getting to know strangers. I’m not saying that it’s impossible to find true love on these apps. What I’m saying is don’t use your emotions or actually start falling in love for the other person. Remember it’s a virtual reality of make belief and alter-ego (see Rule#2). So if you don’t want to get hurt, don’t involve your emotions and just be in it for fun and finding friends.
So. Hope to meet you on Tinder!