We all have had our fair shares of bad dates, and it can be hard to put yourself out there for the 500th time in hopes of finding that special someone. The complexities of human beings make it difficult sometimes to interact with one another.
Throw the idea of dating into the equation, and you may find yourself struggling to make a real connection.
The power of genuine love, laughter, and passion is strong enough to pull people out of the lowest moments in their lives, and everyone deserves a chance to feel that incomparable feeling of love.
As someone who’s had their own struggle with not-so-great dates and has learned from trial and error, I still believe that dating can lead to true love.
To help all the men who need a little help navigating the ever-changing dating scene, I wanted to offer 15 of the best dating tips for men.
I explain what can be done when you’re on dates to ensure that you are always putting your best foot forward. Dating can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of building a relationship, and with these essential dating tips, you’ll get the most excitement out of your date.
If you want to learn how to be the best version of yourself on a date, make sure you keep reading!
1. Put Yourself Out There: In Person and Online
If you’re going to date, you need to put yourself out there. If you wait for someone to come to you, you might be waiting a long time. Don’t let a few bad dates determine your dating destiny.
Try going to a local spot where single people mingle. Whether it’s a bar that attracts singles, a group on social media, or a dating site, always make yourself open and available.
Dating sites like eHarmony are a great step if you’re looking for like-minded singles who want commitment and believe in finding a soulmate.
2. Be Yourself
Being yourself is one of the essential pieces of dating advice for men that have never steered anyone wrong. We’ve all either dated or befriended someone who ended up being someone they’re not.
People don’t want an exaggerated version of you. The most honorable thing you can do when dating is to be yourself, unapologetically.
3. Be Upfront
Make your intentions clear and concise from the very beginning. Discuss with your potential date about what it is you’re looking for, and be sure to listen to what they’re looking for, as well.
Leave no room for guessing or assumptions. Miscommunication is a dangerous road; try not to travel it.
4. Know Yourself
Getting to know yourself is a critical factor in getting to know other people. You can’t possibly know how to love or treat others if you don’t know how to do that for yourself.
This is especially true if you’ve just gotten out of a relationship and you plan on jumping back into the world of dating. Take some time to understand who you are now; things may have changed since the last time you went on a date.
5. Be Mindful of Who You’re Dating
Living your life on autopilot can have many serious side effects, one of them being not knowing who you’re dating.
This is super important when using a dating site; always make sure you pay attention to everything their profile says and what they say. It matters.
6. Be Present and Listen
Be sure to listen with your ears and your heart, not just your eyes. If you agree to go on a date with someone, make sure you’re actively participating.
The worst thing you can do is not engage, check your phone frequently, or focus on anything but your date. It shows when you’re not listening, and this is a surefire way not to get a second date.
7. Empathy Goes a Long Way
You know the age-old saying: “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” If you’re not into the date or you don’t see a second date in the future, let the other person know.
Even if the date is a complete disaster, be kind and consider the other person’s feelings.
8. Feelings Matter
Men, it is okay to be emotional, I promise. If the conversation leads towards talking about feelings and past traumas, it is okay to show your emotions. It’s also okay not to feel ready to share your feelings, but make sure you communicate this.
Allow yourself to feel things: sadness, happiness, frustration, and excitement. Exploring and discussing human emotions is almost always the right choice and is excellent dating advice for men.
9. Be Thoughtful
Remember those things that your date says on the first, second, third dates as they are just as important as the day they were first said.
Buying your date something that they mentioned they wished they had on the first date from a year ago shows them their voice is heard, and it matters to you.
10. Hold Yourself Accountable
One sign of an emotionally and mentally intelligent person can hold themself accountable for their actions.
As humans, we’re not perfect and owning and recognizing that when you’ve wronged your partner is admirable. It’s also the right thing to do.
11. Know Your Partner
Not every partner loves spontaneity or traditional romantic gestures like flowers, but everyone is unique. Get to know who your partner is and learn their specific love language.
Make sure to pay attention to the big things just as much as the little things that that person who they are.
12. Compromise Is King
Compromise is an essential dating tip for men trying to build a relationship. Learning the importance of give and take can result in a healthy relationship.
Dating is just the beginning of the relationship adventure, so remembering that there are two people in the relationship, not just one, is critical.
Your voice, opinion, and likes and dislikes matter just as your partners do, so it’s essential to consider both.
13. Be a Friend
Before anything else, building a friendship is important. Sexual feelings and thoughts of passion shouldn’t be your main focus when going on a date, especially if your date isn’t on the same page.
Stay in the present, enjoy the budding friendship of the now, because that’s what matters the most. While many guys worry about being put into the “friend zone,” many partnerships blossom from a great friendship.
14. Be Safe
Whether you’re walking your date to their car or meeting them at a restaurant, show that you care about their safety. Unless they insist on being alone, wait with your date until their Uber arrives or until they have made it safely to their car.
There are many ways to show your date that you are safe and someone they can trust. Even if you don’t see a future with your date, make sure they are safe at the end of the date.
15. Be Confident
Having confidence in yourself is one of the most effortless things a man can do on a date. Confidence is not about power or control; it’s about self-respect and self-awareness.
People can see absolute confidence, and it helps to lighten the mood.
Final Thoughts
Dating is an exciting journey if you approach it as a positive experience rather than feeling like you’ve been burned too many times. While a great date requires a solid connection between both people, you definitely need to put in the effort to make it a worthwhile experience.
My dating advice for men is not catch-all advice, but through experience, it’s worked for me. Some of my tips may work for you, others may not.
While you might find your soulmate overnight or even after a few dates, there’s a person for everyone. Always highlight the best parts of yourself and be the type of date that you want for yourself.