MISSED out on romance over Christmas? Your luck could change tonight.
It’s Singles Sunday — and millions will log on to dating sites at 11pm to look for love.
The first Sunday of the New Year is the busiest time for online dating services.
Match.com predicts sign-ups will increase by 300 per cent.
Experts reckon the surge in singletons online is due to New Year resolutions, feeling low about being alone over Christmas and watching dating shows like Love Island.
Here, dating expert Lara Asprey, who Prince Harry turned to for help before he met Meghan Markle, offers 12 top tips to help you find love.
1) Make an effort. Lara says: “You’re 80 per cent more likely to get a response if you put something in your bio — just a few lines about you and what you like.”
2) Be interesting. “Make it easy for people to talk to you,” Lara advises. “If you see someone who likes cooking, you could say, ‘I see you’re a good cook. I make a mean spag bol’.”
3) Don’t try to be an action man. Fellas should avoid photos of themselves fishing, surfing and climbing rocks — or with their tops off. Lara says: “All women want to see is his face and body shape.”
4) Be elegant rather than sexy, ladies. Lara says: “Don’t show your legs and boobs. Use a headshot of you smiling.”
5) Extinguish old flames. Lara warns: “You will not be giving the person you meet a chance if you keep going back to an ex.”
6) Don’t write anyone off due to their age. Lara says: “There’s a lot of ageism, particularly with older men. The younger generation aren’t as ageist. Young guys happily date older women.”
7) Feel weary? Take a break. Step away if online dating gets too much. “Or if one app isn’t working for you, try another,” Lara advises.
8) Look for love offline too. Lara says: “Brits are the biggest users of online dating because we are scared to chat people up. Don’t just look online. Be open to talking to strangers.”
9) Get better at banter. “It’s not an interview,” says Lara. “Conversation should be natural on a date. Use ice-breakers to imply you’re fun.”
10) Be brave. Lara says: “There are many ways to talk to someone without feeling like you’re chatting them up. If you’re in a bar and you see someone you like, ask them to take a picture of you for your Instagram.”
11) Don’t drink too much. “It can be tempting to drink more when you’re on a date to make the conversation flow,” says Lara. “Instead, try to judge the energy of the other person. If they are shy and awkward, be patient.”
12) Have an open mind. Lara no longer tries to put people with shared interests together. She explains: “Dating isn’t a tick-box exercise. People need to find someone they click with.”
- The Very British Rules Of Dating, by Lara Asprey, is £6.95. See laraasprey.co.uk.
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