If you read any women’s magazines then you’ve probably seen at least one article or letter about chat up lines and how bad they are if you use them on the UK dating scene. Having a drunken man or woman come up to you and start spouting about heaven losing an angel, underwear on bedroom floors and various other rubbish can be funny and annoying all at the same time, but just how cheesy are they?

Well, the majority of women agree that using chat up lines during potential dating situations can be a real turn off. If she likes a guy and he tried to chat her up then it could very well put her off. However, if a guy was to use well placed chat up lines that are funny and charming then it can get her more interested. For example, “do you come here often” followed by a little comment about it being cheesy and just a way to get talking to her can certainly get her talking. However, any reference to sex before dating will definitely make her turn and walk away.

If you are female and want to use a chat up line to get a guy talking and arranging a date then don’t. Men don’t like chat up lines. They do like girls making the first move, but won’t respond to anything that they might come out with, ironically enough!

If you want to play it dating safe then don’t use chat up lines at all! Just start talking!

It is a well-known fact that online dating is a great way to meet people. You sign up to an online dating site, write your profile, add your photo and then begin to look for the love of your life. Simple! However, that is not to say that you do not get butterflies in your stomach when it comes to actually meeting people for the first time, even if it is via email! You no doubt want to make that first email perfect so you may the best possible first impression.

If you have ever had the online dating erase going on (where you write the first few lines of your first email and then delete it and start again) then the hints and tips below are for you! They may sound like common sense when you read them for the first time but try them out and you will most definitely make the right online dating first impression.

1. Be yourself – This applies to anything to do with online dating. Always be yourself because if someone is not interested if you are yourself right from the word go then they are not worth your time. Your first email should convey who you are to the reader not who you are prepared to be for a while. Honesty always makes a great impression whereas saying what you think people want to hear does not.
2. Do not hit the delete button – Write what you would say to the person if you were meeting them face to face rather than via an online dating email. Wait until you have finished before editing it. Writing one continuous email rather than thinking about it will make your email flow better. It is all about the flow. Going back to edit your email later will give you a different perspective. At least you will actually have something to edit rather than doing it as you go, which will only lead to it being disjointed and obviously an effort!
3. Read it back and ask whether you would want to date the person that wrote it – This is a pretty obvious one but most people do not read their own emails back. Instead, they finish it and hit send. If you want to date you then the person you met via online dating probably will as well.
4. Avoid clichés – This highlights you as unoriginal and can also indicate a lack of self-confidence so avoid using anything resembling a cliché… even if you do use them in speech regularly.

And now you are ready to send your first online dating email and make a good impression! The most important point is the first one. Never try to be something you are not for anyone. The only way you will find true love is to find someone that will accept you as you are!