Online Dating Blog

For singles, Valentine’s Day can bring one stinging reminder after the next of a person’s solo status. The onset of advertisements ranging from heart-shaped confections to fine dining promotions can be pretty pervasive and comes neatly wrapped in a red satin bow. But if your calendar is still wide open on February 14th, here are a few thoughts to consider.

If you’re looking for a relationship, Valentine’s Day really isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. So don’t stress too much over this highly commercialized holiday with origins resulting in the execution of St. Valentine (no joke, check out the excerpt on Wikipedia). Just remind yourself that it’s really not that romantic, just a bunch of hype that businesses use to make gazillions from each year. Instead, take mental note of how the holiday makes you feel as it comes and goes without Cupid’s arrow and put your energy into getting out there and meeting new people. Review your profile to make sure it says what you really want it to say, change your profile picture, check the website or your mobile app at least once a day to see who’s out there. And don’t be bashful, send an email and start a conversation.

Actually, I don’t even recommend trying to line up a first date on Valentine’s Day because it can be incredibly awkward if the two of you don’t click. And this year, the 14th falls on a Saturday, so if you have an offer for a first date on Valentine’s Day, you might want to suggest postponing if you’re unsure of the vibes you’re getting from your prospective date. Even pushing the date back to the 15th can take the edge off. Imagine a few harmless, yet uneasy scenarios when you’re not sure of how you feel about your date: meeting your date for the first time and receiving flowers or candy when you’re empty-handed; being awkwardly serenaded by a Mariachi band over your tacos; or exchanging bites from each other’s meal.

The truth is bad dates happen. You’ve had them, or you will at some point, and you don’t need to up the ante by scheduling a date for Valentine’s Day. If you can’t avoid it, take a note from the Online Dating Guide and keep the date short and casual, like a cup of coffee, with other plans afterward so that if you need an excuse to get away, you have one. If you find you’re enjoying the date, suggest extending it by going for a walk or getting dessert.

If you’ve already been on a first date and left with a good impression, a second date on Valentine’s Day isn’t as risky. While you could be caught off guard and find that your date and you just don’t jive like you thought you did, it would be sad to pass up the opportunity for a second date on Valentine’s Day to find out if you’ve found a chance at romance. Just avoid letting the date get too formal – like a dinner cruise (that would be a bad call)!

Also, a word of caution for the increased contacts that can take place in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, you’re not just up against the commercialization of the holiday, it is also a popular time for scamming on dating websites, so be on guard and follow these easy rules to play it safe.

If you’re avoiding dating on the 14th, make plans that night with friends or family who are also single and celebrate the ones you love.