It’s official; the stains of partially digested pizza and a shirt wringing from a gallon of beer-induced sweat does not make you attractive to potential partners. Chatting a girl up at the bar may work well until in the middle of your very best line that you’ve been reserving for the right moment you decide to bring back the 2 bottles of Budweiser and Jack Daniels chaser that you sunk as Dutch courage. Of course, as soon as you’re sober you know that this really wasn’t the right move but at the time, partially because of your alcoholically induced stupor and partially because your best mates egged you on, you gave it your best shot. Regrettably for you, your best shot resulted in the contents of your stomach landing in some poor unsuspecting girl’s cleavage.

If this has ever happened to you then it will come as no surprise whatsoever to learn that picking up your partner in a bar is reserved for those that have been going out for years and are giving them a lift home. Statistically speaking, you are much more likely to find love in the superstore than you are in a bar. In actual fact, the most likely way you will find a partner is meeting them through friends or family. The second most likely way is at work but the one method is quickly increasing is the Internet.

There was a time when most men believed that the women they were talking to in chat rooms and on forums were most likely called Bob in real life. However, things have changed and it is much more socially acceptable to at least look for your ideal partner on the Internet. There are so many dating websites online now that you would be forgiven for thinking that nobody bothered going out anymore and that the population of the world was in mass decline because everyone is involved in long distance relationships with little or no chance of actual, physical procreation. I don’t even think Google knows how to do that online yet.

You can log on to dating sites that are geared towards particular religions, races, ages, nationalities or specific hobbyists. It’s a bit like meeting somebody at the gym if you are a fitness fanatic and you know that you will at least find something you have in common. The trick is to try and meet somebody who also lives within a reasonable distance from you. If he or she lives hundreds of miles away then it is really unlikely that you are going to want to travel that far for a first date.

Always look at a person’s profile carefully before you jump into arranging a meeting and if the picture looks too good to be true then there is a chance it is. Ask for more pictures and check it’s the same person before you go turning up to any date and always try to make your first date somewhere public. Not only will this make you feel better but it will put your date at ease about meeting some weirdo off the Internet too. If possible try to tell people you know where you are going, what time you will be there and who you will be meeting.

It may sound like a lot of effort to go on a date but there is a good chance you will be bragging about it anyway, so giving out these essential details shouldn’t be that difficult. Obviously you should go out with the intention and aim of having fun but your safety should not be completely replaced by fun. Always take care and be sure you know where you are meeting and when. By telling someone where you are going you can be always be assured of your safety.