Chicken Soup for the Sole

Sometimes life takes funny turns. Sometimes they come when you least expect it.
So here I am. Back in the dating pool after many years of being in the comfy cocoon of a long term relationship. To my surprise, things have changed a lot in the dating world in the last ten years. So much, that I am navigating a whole new world.

First lesson.

Nobody meets in person anymore. It is all about the apps.
Oh the sweet world of online dating. where you can get away with being a dick and showing your dick. (we will get to that later) Now, there is a lot of pros and cons to online dating. Big pro. You get the strain-out the weirdos. Big Con. There is a lot of them.

Deciding what app you want to use is all about what approach you want to have to dating. As I couldn't decide, I dowloaded three apps. OkCupid. Grindr and Scruff.

Second Lesson

The picture, the picture....the picture! Trying to find a photo that says you are handsome, fun, in good shape, kinda sexy but in an accessible masculine way that you want to introduce to your mom is nearly impossible. Two months into this dating business and I am still trying to find that picture. In the meantime I seize every opportunity for a perfect picture.

Third Lesson

Have a degree in marketing, you will need it. Selling a product is way easier that trying to sell yourself. You have to be part mysterious, part charming, part party-guy, part introspective hipster.
When in doubt, give your profile to your friends. They will tell you if you are off mark.

Fourth Lesson
Expect nothing.  Really. Go into it with nothing but a sense of adventure and a good sense of humour.