Listen up! Whitney Wolfe, the co-founder of Tinder and founder of Bumble, shares her ultimate dating tips.
1 Don’t ‘red light’ date
Stopping at a red light = waiting for him to make a move. Still happening. “It’s a rule society ingrained in us, but it’s scary: if we’re trained to be responsive, not proactive, we sign away our equality. And because we’re not used to initiating (thanks, society), we’re confused about when to message. Now? In 12 hours?” Whitney’s stance: “Don’t time it because you’re nervous he’ll think it’s too soon, or not soon enough. Do it when it suits you.”
Related: 5 Great spots for a Tinder date
2 The 2:2:2 method
For your profile photos. “No one derives anything from six headshots: you need at least two solo shots (close-up or full-length), up to two group photos with friends or family, then two that showcase your interests. If you wouldn’t post it on Instagram, don’t post it on a dating app.” So you in Greece four years ago is not relevant.
3 Date personalised – not personally
Personalise a message and you’re (an incredible) seven times more likely to hear back. “‘Hey, Steve!’ instead of just ‘Hey!’ or derive something from their photos: ‘Hey, Steve – skiing and wine night, two of my favourite things’. It says, ‘I agree with your lifestyle’, and people love validation.” Still no response? “I’m guilty of getting hurt feelings. But if you’ve never met this person, you can’t care. It’s like a cute guy on the train – been, gone, wasn’t meant to be.”
Related: 4 New rules of online dating
4 Multi-message…
…Or don’t. “I have girlfriends who are incapable of speaking to more than one guy at once – they don’t like it. I also have friends who happily message five or seven guys at once. It wouldn’t be weird for a man to do that, but for women, society wrinkles its nose and goes, ‘Ew, what? That’s a lot’. Break down that barrier; it’s however you feel comfortable.”
5 The three-day sweet spot
Not a tired dating rule, but your optimum window for engagement: “Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays – people are looking to make new plans then, unlike on Fridays and Saturdays, when they already have them. 9 am and 6 pm – commuter hours – are the peak times.”
Related: Is this the secret to online dating?
6 The IRL-dar
When to meet? Don’t ignore your gut. “If you feel confident, trust them, and have friends in common, then go after it – that’s awesome. However, say he’s asked you for coffee three times, and he’s hot, but for some reason you’re hesitant, don’t go. Un-match and move on. No one has a crystal ball, apart from the little one inside you.”
Taken from GLAMOUR UK. Click here to read the original.
Looking for more dating tips? Find out what to wear on a first date and 7 reasons why you should try older men.
