Dating is all about meeting new people, getting to know them, and hopefully finding a person to be that “special one” in your life. It’s a long process in most cases, filled with plenty of dates and opportunities to spend time with potential partners. The fairy tale side of dating is all about meeting the perfect person the first time around and living happily ever after; the reality of dating is, unfortunately, quite a bit different.

The vast majority of people have a few “false starts” along the way toward finding that special person; it’s almost inevitable, really. But how, exactly, are you supposed to handle those situations when you’ve dated someone once, twice, or even a few times, and you just don’t feel that “spark” of wanting to spend time with them anymore?

This is a big challenge because let’s face it, having to tell someone they’re “not your type” or letting them know you don’t want to continue dating is very, very hard. It’s tough to give that kind of honest feedback to another person and it’s tough to hear that kind of honest feedback from someone else. It might be tempting to avoid having that kind of straightforward conversation, but have it you must. It’s the only way to end the situation with dignity, respect, and integrity.

Here are some quick “do’s” and “don’ts” to help you through the process:

Don’t

• Lie about your reasons
• Break up via text message, Twitter, or Facebook
• Blame yourself for everything
• Get angry, defensive, or emotional

Do

• Be respectful and honest
• Be gentle with the other person’s feelings
• Explain your reasons clearly and succinctly

Do your best to part on reasonably good terms

When you don’t feel that spark for another person, remember it’s perfectly okay. Just deal with the situation honestly and then focus your attention on other opportunities to meet new people.

Rejection Breaking Up, Emotions, Lies, Social Networking

Being single has become a bit more popular these days. The proof is in the single celebrities and more people deciding that they just want to date instead of trying to mate. So perhaps you’re just better off being yourself and never falling in love.

Love is a pain, after all, right?

Here are some tips to make sure you’re not going to fall in love anytime soon:

• Don’t try to meet anyone – If you can’t meet the love of your life, you’ll never fall in love, after all. Makes sense, right?
• Don’t give any of your dates a second chance – If they screw up right once, they’re out of your life.
• Don’t listen to advice from your friends – Even though they might be completely honest, they’re not going to help you find someone new anyway.
• Don’t keep parts of your life secret – If you’re out on a date, air out all of your dirty laundry – and your deep dark secrets.
• Don’t listen to a word they say – Since they’re not going to be a partner for you, why bother listening to what they say?

Choosing to stay single is empowering and something you can start right now. Just follow this advice and you will certainly not get asked on a date again. Whew.

Rejection Advice, Avoid, Celebrities, Love, Single

Why didn’t he/she call? You seemed to really hit it off, there was playful banter, even some touching and canoodling. So, why didn’t you get that call for a second date?

First of all, it’s probably not your fault. You just didn’t know the ‘rules.’ (No, not those other rules.)

Rule #1 – Don’t get too personal

While you might want to profess your entire life story to this new person, it’s not generally the best idea. So, leave the stories about your exes at home and try to talk about them instead.

Rule #2 – Don’t be rude

Always bring enough money to pay, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, don’t talk with your mouth open, etc. All of those manners that your mother tried to teach you? Use them. And don’t even think about arguing that ‘Well, this is just the way I am.’ It’s still rude and it’s certainly not going to win you any points.

Rule #3 – Don’t try to be crazy

Somewhere along the line, the idea that quirky = good got passed along to singles around the world. So, people began to try to be overly funny or weird as they thought it might appeal to a prospective partner.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Being odd, if that’s a part of your personality, is fine, but being weird for the sake of being weird – not so great. Leave your singing of the names on the menu and rhyming everything that you say at home, locked far away from sunlight.

Be yourself!

Breaking Up, Rejection, Tips and Ideas Be Yourself, Crazy, Dump, Exes, Rules, Weird