Posted by Joe Tracy on August 8, 2007 under Dating News | 
Two weeks ago we wrote an article on a fairly new online dating service called Prescription4Love. The service is aimed at people with unique conditions that find it hard to date because of the condition.Yesterday, the Washington Post wrote a story on Prescription4Love and how the service was influenced by the owner’s late brother, James Keith Durham.
From the article:
Launched in 2006, Prescription4Love was created by Ricky Durham in memory of his brother, James Keith Durham, who died in 2004 after a 15-year battle with Crohn’s disease.
“He couldn’t meet people,” remembers Durham. “He had a colostomy bag, so he didn’t feel comfortable meeting people.”
You can read the entire article here.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!
Posted by Joe Tracy on August 7, 2007 under Dating Tips |
In Episode 9 of Confessions of a Matchmaker, Patti Novak takes on Jack (a 38-year old Fratboy) and Andrea (a 53-year old that feels old). Here are some dating tips that can be gained from this episode:
Episode 9 (Jack and Andrea) - Dating Tips:
- Having a “crazy” look could make it hard for you to find a date. A lot of times people will use their look to cover up insecurities. Get beyond this - take care of your look and create that nicer and younger person that is deep inside.
- Don’t take your date to a place your friends will be hanging out at.
- Changing the way you look on the outside (new hip style of hair and clothes) will give you a confidence boost on the inside.
- Don’t turn your attention away from your date to someone else for a prolonged time. It is very rude and discourteous.
- Never make derogatory remarks about yourself on a date (”I’ve recently gained some weight”).
Joe’s Comments
Guys, if you are at the place you’re meeting before your date and happen to be sitting down, stand up when she arrives for a proper greeting. In this episode, Jack is sitting at a table and his date walks in. He greets her without standing up. This is not respectful behaviour. It’s appropriate to stand up, greet your date, then sit after she has sat down. At all times you should be showing respect for the person you are on a date with.
Also, learn to read body language. In several episodes I have seen a guy droning on about himself and the women look completely bored. They could get up and leave and the guy wouldn’t even notice!
It’s important to train yourself to be fully aware of your date’s presence. And remember, the less you talk about yourself, the more your date will enjoy herself. Learn to make the date more about her and less about you.
I was not in the least bit impressed with Jack in this episode. He talked about himself, rarely asked questions, and left his date sitting alone while he hooped it up with his buddies (who just so “happened” to be at the same place he was). People with this type of attitude may have short-term success with like-minded people, but will never find satisfying long-term relationships.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!
Posted by Joe Tracy on August 6, 2007 under Dating Tips |
Confessions of a Matchmaker with Patti Novak is a weekly TV series on A&E that follows Novak as she matches people and gives them dating tips to improve their experience. Here are some dating tips learned from Episode 8 - Mary and Mick:
Episode 8 (Mary & Mick) - Dating Tips:
- Learn how to act on a date. If you are rough around the edges then consciously work on softening those edges for your date.
- Don’t be negative. Leave your negativity at home. If you don’t have something nice to say during the date then just ask questions.
- Being a tough girl with an attitude scares guys away. Learn some manners and work to become more balanced… if you want to find love, that is.
- When you’re overly passionate about something (i.e. Mick and his music), you should probably not bring up the subject at all on your first date because it could become easy to get carried away and quickly bore your date (you won’t know he/she is bored because you’ll be too busy talking about your passion). Instead, invest in learning about your date.
- Dress appropriately for the place you will be having your first date. If it is a nice restaurant, jeans and a t-shirt are not appropriate.
- Be open-minded to ways of doing things (for example, if you have never gone to an art museum, go to one). Increase your horizons.
- Don’t talk down to your date (in answering a question his date asked him, Mick said “the money’s just not there, kid.”)
- Never insult the intelligence of your date. Treat them with respect and interest.
Joe’s Comments
Mary was really rough around the edges. She goes out with a guy who likes art and makes derogatory comments about art. To her credit, she tried to learn some manners, but still scared away the two guys she went out on dates with because of her very direct, rough, and opinionated attitude. The lesson here is not to change your personality, but yet bring balance to your life through the learning of opposing forces. For example, if you’re always loud, opinionated, and negative then take a course in meditation. Learn to balance out the negatives with positives and it will make you a much more appealing person to date.
Time and time again, I hear people talk about how they went on a date with a hot guy or girl and when that person opened their mouth, they quickly became the most unattractive person in the world. There’s a lesson to be learned here. Attraction goes much deeper than looks. An average looking person can become very attractive to their date through manners, respect, being fun, and learning to listen.
Another tip I’d like to add from watching this episode: don’t sabotage your dates. There are some people who are afraid of success or afraid of finding love, so they tend to “sabotage” their dates or relationships. Don’t do this. You deserve love and you deserve happiness. Do everything possible to make both successful.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!
Posted by Joe Tracy on August 5, 2007 under Dating Tips |
One of the hardest things to do in life is breaking up with someone, particularly someone who thinks the relationship is going great. In life, each of us are on a quest for that soulmate that compliments us in ways that no other can. Yet in that search, we sometimes hit stumbling blocks and discover that the person we are dating is not the right one. Then comes the hard part - how to break up without inflicting too much pain.
Today, Online Dating Magazine columnist Nicole Roberge addressing the issue of breaking it up in her column titled, Calling it Quits.
In addition to that column, here are some other links to articles that will assist you if you think it is time to end your relationship by breaking up…
10 Ways to Break up Graciously
Breaking it Off Respectfully
How do I Break Up for Good?
And if you’ve recently been on the receiving end of a break up, here are some articles that have good advice and tips on dealing with it:
Why He Dumped You and 12 Ways to Get Back on Track
Breaking Up and Resentment
Dealing with a Breakup and Relationship Closure
Joe’s Comments
Technological advances in society, like the Internet and cell phones, have unfortunately made it “easier” to break up with someone. With the ease of online dating, I’m also seeing a growing trend of people not working through relationship problems, but rather quickly breaking up and returning to online dating.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!
Posted by Joe Tracy on under Dating News |
Online dating service Match.com has launched MatchMobile, a way for members to surf Match.com with their cell phone and be alerted by text message when someone emails them or winks at them. MatchMobile also allows users to respond to emails and winks they receive.
“Imagine what MatchMobile will do for the business traveler who’s constantly on the go, waiting for a flight home,” said Dr. Ian Kerner, a Match.com relationship expert. “They’re thinking of the long, lonely weekend ahead, and suddenly they receive a wink or an email — it could brighten their day and change their Saturday night plans.”
Paying subscribers to Match.com can receive wink and email alerts on their phone at no additional cost. To have the power to read and respond to emails, members will have to pay an additional $4.95 a month.
Joe’s Comments
It never hurts to expand your service to keep up with technology. With that said, however, this is simply another addition to Match.com’s “add on” services that end up costing you a lot more than the normal monthly service.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!
Posted by Joe Tracy on August 4, 2007 under Dating Tips |
Every week on A&E, Patti Novak dispenses dating advice to singles through her reality series Confessions of a Matchmaker. Below are dating tips that can be learned from Episode 7, Janet and Derek.
Episode 7 (Janet & Derek) - Dating Tips:
- Learn to be Self-Confident. You have to assert yourself.
- Don’t create a “wall of excuses” that keeps you from dating and dating success.
- It’s important to mentally be ready for love before you begin searching for love.
- If you don’t feel sexy or good looking, then get a makeover! Build your confidence before your date.
- To be good at dating, you sometimes have to take risks that put you outside of your comfort zone (like being self-confident).
- In order to let others in, you must first let your guard down.
Joe’s Comments
One of the biggest inhibitors to successful dating is having a lack of confidence. If you are a person who lacks confidence, it’s important to first build that back up. I’d recommend the following books:
The Confidence Plan: How to Build a Stronger You
Feel the Fear . . . and Do It Anyway
The Ultimate Secrets of Total Self-Confidence
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!
Posted by Joe Tracy on August 3, 2007 under Dating Tips |
Confessions of a Matchmaker is a matchmaking and advice show airing weekly on A&E. It’s a show that offers dating tips and dating advice to singles through the eyes of matchmaker Patti Novak. Below are dating tips that can be learned from Episode 6, Lynn and Matthew.
Episode 6 (Lynn & Matthew) - Dating Tips:
- Don’t lie about your age.
- Don’t come on too strong on your first date. It will scare your date away.
- Don’t treat your date like he/she is at a job interview.
- Be genuinely interested in learning about your date.
- On a first date, don’t tell someone you live with your mom and dad!
- Don’t limit yourself by creating a list of standards for dating (i.e. person must have black hair, blue eyes, and be at least 6′ tall).
Joe’s Comments
I was really disappointed with Patti in this episode. The reason why is because Matthew is a minister and Patti tried matching him with someone who wasn’t very religious. In his interview, he clearly told Patti that he was a minister and his beliefs take precedence over everything else.
In matchmaking there are some boundaries that need to be followed. If a person doesn’t believe in God and is a die-hard atheist, you don’t try to match them with someone who puts God first in their life and vice-versa. To make the minister go out on a date with a woman who is not very religious probably brought some amount of embarrassment to this minister from his congregation. Obviously, if a person is a minister then his/her foundation is built around religion and God. Patti ignored this fact.
If a person is a vegetarian and makes it clear that he/she does not want to be matched with someone who eats meat, then you don’t match that person up with a meat eater! This is why online dating services provide various ways of you to determine matches - so that your core beliefs aren’t compromised in the search for love.
What was interesting about this episode is that what you think you want may not be what’s right for you. In this episode, Lynn wanted a man with blue eyes, at least 6′2, and 23 years old (even though she was 30+). The date didn’t go well. When Patti matched her up with a guy who had brown eyes, was 5′8 and 42 years old, the two hit it off. The point is that if you’re not having success then change things up by eliminated your “must be” list and trying out new adventures.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!
Posted by Joe Tracy on under Dating News |
For years, people who have used online dating services have sometimes been perceived by others as “lonely, desperate, or unable to get a date.” But the stigma didn’t prevent a massive growth of the online dating market as people discovered for themselves that online dating is, by far, the best way to meet a potential lifelong partner.
But even with the growth and success of online dating, a stigma still clearly exists. Recent research by market research company Vizu and free online dating service OKcupid shows that when it comes to online dating, a strong stigma still remains. According to their research, 72% of Internet users believe there is a social stigma still tied to online dating.
Another research study earlier this year, by Synovate, found that more than a third of Americans believed that those who use online dating services are “only desperate people.”
In an Online Dating Magazine Top 10 Funniest Profile Headers column, coming in number one was “Willing to Lie About How we Met”
Joe’s Comments
Even though more than 120,000 people are married a year as a result of online dating, a stigma still clearly exists with mainstream society. I think you will find the stigma stronger in people who are married (but didn’t meet via online dating) and those who have never used an online dating service. Ironically, at any given place of work, a large number of single workers are probably doing online dating, but would never admit it! When I first started doing online dating in 2000, I would rarely tell anyone. By 2003, when I founded Online Dating Magazine, I was wondering why people (including myself up until then) were “ashamed” to admit they did online dating. Online dating, is by far, the best thing to ever happen for singles. There’s nothing shameful about it. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I find those who do online dating to be smart and bright people with open minds and a desire to be one of the success stories that ignored the stigma and found a soulmate.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!
Posted by Joe Tracy on August 2, 2007 under Dating Tips |
Confessions of a Matchmaker is a weekly half-hour show that airs on A&E. It follows matchmaker Patti Novak as she tries to match couples in Buffalo, New York. Below you will find some dating tips that can be learned from Episode 5, Paul & Amy.
Episode 5 (Paul & Amy) - Dating Tips:
- Avoid being “motherly” or “fatherly”. Your date is looking for a potential boyfriend or girlfriend. They already have a mom and dad.
- If you once felt sexy and confident, but don’t anymore, then do everything you can to get it back (i.e. change your look, lose weight, change your attitude, etc.). If you feel good about yourself, it will show. So change your lifestyle so that you once again feel good about yourself.
- Being egotistical, cocky, or talking about yourself too much on a date is a huge turnoff.
- LISTEN on your date (and that doesn’t mean listening to yourself speak).
- Learn table manners before you go on a date.
- If you live with your parents, don’t talk about it on your date!
- Never talk about your ex on a first date.
- “You’ve got to love yourself to be loved.”
- Be humble.
- If you feel your date is asking all the questions, learn to switch the focus back to them, by asking them questions about things that interest them.
Joe’s Comments
Living with your parents when you are old enough to marry is a major turnoff to potential dates. It’s probably information you shouldn’t volunteer - particularly on a first date! It instantly puts up red flags (what’s wrong with him/her that he/she still lives with mommy and daddy?).
I’ve noticed that in several episodes, people make the mistake of talking about past relationships while on a date. Some volunteer, but others are asked. This is a topic to avoid at all costs. If you are asked about your ex, simply say “that’s a topic for another time” or “let’s instead talk about…” (change the subject - preferably to something you know your date is interested in). You can also take the direct and honest approach: “I never talk about past relationships on a first date”.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!
Posted by Joe Tracy on July 31, 2007 under Dating News |
Online Dating Magazine has opened a new section for online daters called the Dating Humor Fun Zone. The new section allows daters to explore the humorous side of dating. The section includes dating videos, dating cartoons, dating jokes, and dating games.
Online Dating Magazine is in the middle of a massive expansion of its publication. Next week the publication is expected to announce the addition of two new columnists, along with a new section. In addition to covering the online dating industry, Online Dating Magazine is a watchdog group for online daters. Last week, the magazine issued a public warning to single parents regarding sexual offenders using online dating services.
The Dating Humor Fun Zone will be updated weekly with new content and Online Dating Magazine welcomes your recommendations. You can email them to jtracy@onlinedatingmagazine.com.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!
