People
tend to exaggerate certain qualities about themselves and photos can be
misleading. He may have used a photo from ten years ago without the gray hair
he’s currently sporting. She might have used a photo taken about 20 pounds ago.
Both men and women tend to lie about their age, while women tend to lie about
their weight and men tend to exaggerate their incomes and height.
Listen
Carefully
When
you meet face to face and decide you like each other enough to plan for date
#2, do the following: Go home and carefully evaluate the date. Studies show
that potential mates know within 15 seconds whether they “click” or not. Pay attention
to body language and what he or she said. It may seem like you are spoiling the
“magic,” but it’s worth it if it saves you months of wasted time.
Believe
him if he says he’s not looking for a serious relationship. He’s not. But watch
out, sometimes someone may say they are looking for a serious relationship
because they just want to have someone to sleep with. Do you really like the
other person or are you so desperate for a relationship that you overlook
inappropriate behavior or incompatibilities?
Discuss Important Values
Sometime
during the first three dates, decide on three to five values or beliefs that
are important to you and that you wouldn’t compromise on. Make a point to
discuss important topics such as religion--especially if you want children, (Do you want any? Does he or she?), previous marriages or
relationships, and future goals. For example, if one of you is well established
in your career and the other wants to go to graduate school in the near future,
how would you feel about this?