Love Relationships. Hate Dating. In a Relationship. Here's What to Do

So, you’re contemplating using a professional matchmaker in hopes of finding the love of your life. But here’s the thing: A part of the reason why dating has not worked for you in the past is because, well, you don’t really like dating.

So, is it safe to say that you’re already excited about reading this article being that you probably thought you were the only one who feels that way? The reality is that although there are a lot of benefits that come with taking the traditional dating route, at the same time, we get that there are some people who feel like the whole concept of dating can sometimes feel a bit “forced” and “routine”. And so, they’d prefer something to happen more organically than always planning something to do.

If you fit that bill, we have good news and we also have a reality check. Let’s go with the reality check first: Unless you’re going to start seeing someone you already know, you’re going to need to get at least a couple of dates out of the way. But once you’ve been on about three and you and the person you’ve been seeing have discovered that you’re both on the same page when it comes to the whole “dating scene”, here are some ways to date each other…without actually dating.

Cook at home. Did you know there are studies which cite that cooking together is not only healthier, but can literally help to improve your relationship? That’s because when you’re doing things with someone you care about, without any distractions, it helps you to feel so much more connected to them. And that can ultimately lead to a happier kind of relationship overall.

Find a mutual hobby. Something else that can be a lot of fun is to find a hobby that the both of you can do together. It could be taking an art class, going hiking or making pottery. Just make sure that it’s something you both are genuinely interested in. That way, it feels more like a skill that you’re developing while spending a bit of quality time together and not simply an activity to appease one more than the other.

Pitch a tent (indoors). I mean, you can also pitch a tent outside, but if it’s a bit chilly or you’re not the fondest of the critters that roam in the nighttime hours, you can always make a fort indoors too. String some lights, play some music, order some of your favorite food and then lie on top of a few throw pillows until you talk yourself to sleep. It’s romance without a ton of work. (For tips on how to build your own tent, click here).

Learn about each other’s favorite things. You can learn a lot about someone by discovering their favorite foods, favorite music, favorite movies and cities (etc.). So, one night make a point to listen to some of each other’s favorite songs. Another night, go on Netflix or Hulu to see if each other’s favorite movies are available to watch. One weekend, take a road trip. It won’t feel like “dating”. It will feel more like…intimacy.

Be spontaneous. Sitting on the phone on a Thursday, asking each other what you both want to do on a Saturday, can sometimes feel more like an obligation than anything else. If you’re both pretty keen on surprises, put forth the effort to be a bit spontaneous. Get up and go to a festival in the city. Have breakfast food for dinner at a 24-hour café. Stroll along the streets downtown, just because. Dating doesn’t have to feel like work. It’s all about doing what you want…in a way that suits the two of you. Best.

'The Nice Guy': 6 Reasons Why He's SUCH an Awesome Catch

The nice guy. It’s a term that causes a lot of fellas (especially the nice guys) to sigh with the “So, here we go again” look on their face, while it also causes a lot of girls to roll their eyes with the “Can we please talk about something else?” attitude. Yeah, for whatever the reason, when it comes to dating, the nice guy tends to…not so much get a bad rap. It’s more like he doesn’t get much of a rap at all.

And you know what? That’s actually pretty sad. Yet it’s still a reality.

So, why is it that the nice guy oftentimes can’t get the props that he deserves? Is it that women automatically associate him with being the kind of nerdy and awkward guy who was “nice” but not super appealing in high school? Is it that women want a challenge and they feel like the nice guy isn’t much of one? Or is it simply that a lot of women haven’t really given the nice guy a chance because they oftentimes are focused on the dude who, quite frankly, is any and everything but nice.

Look, none of us are getting any younger. And if you happen to be a woman reading this, you can actually miss out on a really great relationship by telling your friend or a matchmaker who’s trying to hook you up “Yeah, he seems like he might be nice but…”

So, before you turn down yet another date with a really nice guy, here are some of the reasons why should actually reconsider:

Nice guys are kind men. When someone is kind, it means that they are considerate. It also means that they are gentle and helpful too. Now why should those traits be a turn-off? A guy who calls to check on you after you’ve had a hard day, a guy who speaks in a gentle tone, a guy who offers to help you to put your TV stand together or upgrade your computer software is someone who can only enhance your life. Ask any wife who’s been married five or more years or any woman who’s been divorced for that same amount of time and we’re willing to be that they’ll tell you that if you’ve met a kind man, when it comes to relationships, you’ve definitely hit the jackpot!

Nice guys are good listeners. Have you ever been on a date with a guy who only talks about himself? Or worse, whenever you try to get a word in, he tends to cut you off? While a lot of arrogant men are notorious for these traits, it’s not so much the case with the nice guy. He’s actually interested in what you have to say. Plus, being that listening is the key to communication and every relationship needs two good communicators in order for it to thrive, dating a good listener can only work in your favor.

Nice guys don’t underestimate the power of friendship. Honestly, a part of the reason why that is the case is because a lot of nice guys heard plenty of “You’re a really nice guy but…can we be just friends?” during their high school and quite possibly their college years too. And while all of us long to be in a relationship with someone where more than friendship is a part of it, nice guys have learned that there is real value to the foundation of friendship. As a result, they tend to allow their relationships to evolve gradually and organically. As relationships should.

Nice guys are proactive. Say that you do happen to have an affinity for another category of men: the handsome jerks (for the record, there are some really attractive nice guys on the planet too). And what qualifies “him” as being a jerk? He’s selfish. He’s inconsiderate. He doesn’t make you and your needs a priority. Being disappointed while in a relationship with this kind of guy is basically par for the course, and even if he does happen to apologize for his dating sins, he usually spends more time trying to make up for what he did wrong or didn’t do enough of than actually getting anything right. Missing your birthday and then sending you flowers? Reactive. Asking you two weeks in advance about what your favorite restaurant is so that the two of you can celebrate in style? Proactive. And you know what? Nice guys tend to be more proactive than reactive. (Chalk it up to the kindness factor.)

Nice guys live by the Golden Rule. Some people call it the Golden Rule while others call it karma. Either way, nice guys are usually on top of it. They tend to really take it to heart that you should treat people in the same way that you want to be treated. This means that they are going to return your calls because they want you to do that for them. This means that they are not going to lie to your face because they would hate it if you did it. This means that they are going to treat you with the utmost respect because that is something they long for in return. And the fact that all of this is even on their radar makes them pretty awesome people to be around.

Nice guys don’t run away from commitment. Although there are definitely some nice guys in the world who want to keep things casual, it’s more common to come across the ones who really do desire a relationship. The thought of having a steady girlfriend, a fiancé and eventually a wife does not freak them out. In fact, they tend to embrace it. So, if you’re wondering why all of the guys that you’ve been dating are not “relationship material”, ask yourself if you’ve ever considered the nice guy. If not, maybe, just maybe, now you will!

Date Selection: 5 Tips for Choosing Exciting Date Options

If someone were to ask you to sum up your dating life in one word and the one you chose was “boring”, then you’ve come to the right place! We’re firm believers that out of all of the things a dating experience should be, “boring” is definitely not one of them.

So here’s the deal. If you’re not currently seeing anyone (or seeing anyone seriously), have you ever considered using a matchmaking service like Tawkify before? Not only do they have an awesome reputation for having clients who go on repeat dates, but they are also becoming a fan favorite when it comes to choosing some really amazing dates for their clients to go on too! Dinner and a movie? That’s not even on the radar of their date plans. Not by a long shot.

But what if you’re already seeing someone, you both like one another and get along really well? What if the only thing that both of you really have “complain” about is the fact that your dates feel a bit monotonous? If that’s the case, there are some things that you can do to make your dating life a bit more exciting. It’s all about doing some research, creating a budget and being open-minded. With this combo, your dates can go from ho-hum to a thrill ride. Each and every time!

Plan ahead. One reason why so many couples resort to dinner and a movie is because they don’t really do a lot of planning ahead. Virtually every city has a community calendar that lists what’s going on, weeks in advance. Put forth the concerted effort to check out what concerts or festivals are coming up and then plan to go as a couple. Anticipation always produces a certain level of excitement.

Be each other’s “first”. By this we mean that you should both comprise a list of things that you’ve never done before and then select some things on the list that both of you would be interested in doing. For instance, if you’ve both never gone kayaking before, why not do it together? Or if you both have always wondered how to make sushi, create a date by going to a sushi making class. “Firsts” are always exciting and fun. Plus, they can create some really special memories for the two of you. That’s because every time you think of a certain activity, both of you will come to each other’s minds.

Create a few surprises. If you call your date and say “I’ve got an idea but it’s a surprise”, trust us, it’s not going to matter what “it” is! The curiosity is going to automatically create a certain level of excitement. And for the record, a surprise does not have to be expensive. You can pack a picnic for their lunch break or order all of their favorite movies On-Demand while serving their favorite snacks at your house. Surprises are always awesome because they send the message that the person you’re seeing was on your mind---and that you planned something special for them as a way to prove it.

Get out of your city. This is not something that we (necessarily) recommend you do on your first few dates. But if you’ve been seeing each other for a while (a few months), why not visit another city? It can be one that’s only a couple of hours of way and you can even make a day trip out of it, if you prefer. The ride together can give you time to converse and learn more about another. Plus, the intrigue about what’s in store in another city can definitely rev up the excitement meter.

Cultivate spontaneity. Although the word “spontaneous” literally means to be impulsive, that’s not such a bad thing when it comes to putting dates together. Every once and a while, call your date and recommend having breakfast food for dinner or going ice skating (at a sports center) in the summertime. By not always knowing what to expect (or when to expect it) from one another, that also is super exciting. And it can make the dating experience so enjoyable---for you both!

Hate Blind Dates? How a Matchmaking Service Can Change Your Mind

Are you someone who would rather pull out your fingernails and then dip your hands in acetone before you would ever go on a blind date? If so, chances are that it’s because you’ve been on one before and, quite frankly, it sucked. And all you need is one bad blind date to make you want to swear off all of them forever.

At the same time, we’re thinking that if you’ve even gotten this far into the article, there must be some part of you that’s at least a little curious about why you should give blind dating just one more try. Our thoughts are these: Although your family members, friends and/or co-workers all probably meant well when they set you up, when people close to you do it, 8 times out of 10, it’s still basically a shot in the dark.

This is so not the case when you decide to hire a professional matchmaking company like Tawkify. No matter what your blind date horror stories may be, they are confident that they can give you the kind of blind date that will lead to a happy ending. (Or at least a really amazing first and follow-up date!)

Matchmaking services are devoted to providing great blind dates. While you’re at work, here’s the thing to remember about professional matchmaking services: they are hard at work too. Only, their focus is making sure that you end up having the best blind date possible. However long that takes, they are willing to invest their time, effort and expertise towards accomplishing the mission. To them, a successful blind date means they are doing their job effectively. To say that they take that seriously is a major understatement.

Matchmakers like making good matches. When people you know decide to match you up, they tend to rely more on “gut instinct” or even wishful thinking than anything else. Sometimes that works. Most times it doesn’t. But when you use a professional matchmaker, there’s a methodology applied. There is extensive screening. There are personal interviews. And there are certain skills that are applied to insure that you are matched up with a truly suitable person. And so yes, while the first date will be a blind one for you, you can be certain that the matchmaking company put the date together with their eyes wide open.

Matchmaking services respect your investment. We won’t lie to you. You get what you pay for, so if you want a quality first date, you’re going to have to shell out a bit of cash. But if you decide to go with a matchmaking service like Tawkify, rather than spending thousands each month, you can spend $600 instead. At the same time, matchmaking services work for a living just like you do. Therefore, they know that money is not easy to come by. They know that you hiring them means that you made a pretty major investment. Therefore, it matters to them that they give you a good ROI (Return On your Investment).

Tawkify sets up unbelievable dates. One of the reasons why Tawkify is currently getting so much media attention in New York and San Francisco (the two cities they currently service) is because not only are they great at pairing people together (roughly 80 percent of their clients end up going on second dates), but they’re known for also creating mind-blowing dates too. So, if a part of you doesn’t like blind dates because they seem to be the same ole, same ole “dinner and a movie”, a reputable matchmaking service like Tawkify can definitely change your mind. (Just ask the woman whose first date was planning her wedding at Tiffany’s!)

Matchmaking services are tenacious. Say that you decide to go with a professional matchmaking service and your first date doesn’t go so well. If you think you’re disappointed, that’s not even close to how upset the company that set you up will feel! Reputable matchmaking services pride themselves on putting a smile on each client’s face. They take you, your time and your expectations very seriously. And to know that someone else is just as interested in you having a successful blind date as you are? Yeah, isn’t that enough of a reason to at least give them a call? C’mon, what can it hurt? Like, really…what can it hurt to take a chance on an amazing first date with someone who a team of people hand-selected for you? If that doesn’t change your mind…what will?