Category: UK Dating

How to Start a Conversation with Confidence.

Posted on by Unified Dating
How To Have An Amazing First Date Without Blowing It (A Man's Guide)

Do you suffer from the kind of social anxiety that keeps you from reaching out to new people? Are you always unsure of yourself when initiating contact with a stranger? Would you like to be able to walk up to anyone, anywhere, regardless of the setting, and start a conversation with confidence? Keep on reading our blog post ‘How to start a conversation with confidence’!

Speak more slowly.

Another tip is to pay attention to how fast you talk compared to other. Speaking faster than everyone else can signal nervousness or fear of taking up space in a conversation.

Speaking a little slower gives you more time to formulate your thoughts and signals confidence. And it also gives the other person time to take in what you have said.

Accept your nervousness rather than trying to fight it.

Remind yourself that nervousness is something all humans deal with.

Confident people also feel nervous. It’s just that they still talk to people they want to talk to despite their anxiety. You need to accept that the feeling is there and act anyway. Feeling nervous isn’t dangerous. 

Your Attitude. 

When you want to approach a new conversation with confidence, the key factor that’s going to set you up for success is your attitude. 

Often, when you experience social anxiety (even just a little bit) you approach new or intimidating conversations with a ‘one step forward, two steps back’ mentality. You may put on a brave face even though you are simply terrified of rejection. What you are doing is physically stepping forward, but mentally stepping back. And running for cover!

When you have this mindset, it can really affect your speech, body language, eye contact. Everything. People can pick up on your mixed signals, and they don’t make a good impression. In fact, they can even make people uncomfortable. 

Energetic negativity is obvious to those around you.

Focus on the topic 

Focus on the topic you are talking about to be more authentic and charismatic. Bring your focus back to the conversation when you end up in your head.

You’ll be and seem more present. Your facial expressions become more instant and authentic. You have more ways to continue the conversation!

Be interested in the other person

This is super important. Ask sincere questions and genuinely try to get the person you talk to. This signals that you’re a friendly person. Have you noticed how people seem to come off as more confident when they care about others?!

Join Unified Dating’s exciting events, where you will feel at ease during our fun activities. No need for any awkward icebreakers!

Have you got any more tips on How to Start a Conversation with Confidence? Comment below!

How To Know if You are Ready for a Relationship

Posted on by Unified Dating
London dating tips

Has your first date gone well? And second and third. So, you like the person you’re with and you’ve maybe even met his or her friends and family so you can tell it’s getting serious… but the question’s still on your mind. Are you ready for a relationship? Read on to learn pHow to know if you are ready for a relationship

Serious relationships are a major commitment, and it’s worth putting some thought before you make the plunge. Read on for Unified Dating’s tips how to know if you’re ready for a relationship!

You Understand the Importance of Communication.

Good communication really is the foundation of any successful relationship. Especially if you’ve had issues with communication in the past, it’s important to learn how to communicate effectively. You can always learn from previous relationships!

Once you’ve figured out things like your communication style, how to express yourself clearly, and how to listen, and even how to argue, you’ll be a in a much better place to start a serious relationship. 

You’re Ready to Compromise.

Being in a relationship, involves some amount of compromise. While it’s important to stick to your values, being with someone also involves being ready to meet them halfway. Or at least understand their point of view.

Compromising means valuing the other person’s opinion – perhaps you let them decide what’s for dinner or their least favourite chore so they don’t have to. Either way, being willing to compromise is an important sign to know you are ready for a relationship or not.

You’re Happy to Spend Time Alone

A reason to be in a relationship shouldn’t be to escape from loneliness. Yes, there’s a difference between being alone and being lonely. But if you are just looking to be a relationship because you feel alone, then you have most likely not got the right mindset.

You should enjoy your own company occasionally, be happy when single and don’t need others to feel fulfilled. When you know how to be alone and you’re okay with it, it’s much easier to answer the question ‘Am I ready for a relationship?’.

You don’t seek constant distraction. You’re not afraid to be alone — and in silence, even. You like spending time alone and don’t need the television to be on or the phone to be glued to your head! You can be with just yourself.

You’re over your last relationship.

The worst thing to do is to go into another relationship when you still have feelings for another person. May those feelings be negative like rage or positive such as love and devotion. 

Make sure to look for signs of anger and resentment towards your ex and that you have forgiven not only your ex, but yourself. To be angry at yourself is a clear sign that you’re not ready to move forward.

If you cannot accept where you are and who you are right now, then it’s time to make a change!

I think deep down you will know if you are ready to dive into a new relationship, and if you are not you should think of how to overcome these steps to happiness. Get ready to open your heart.

How to greet someone on a first date

Posted on by Unified Dating
Photos - Couple greeting each oth... 121699 - YouWorkForThem

When it comes to online dating, everything is a little bit different than during a classic face to face date. Greetings can often lead to feelings of anxiety. With anyone, but it can be particularly unnerving with a date. In this blog, we look into the different ways to greet your date and when you should do each one. Read on to learn how to greet someone of a first date!

First impressions are critical. And first impressions are even more critical when it comes to the first date. And that’s one reason why first dates can be daunting. When you greet someone on your first date, you form an impression that is likely to affect your first date. But more importantly, it is going to affect the relationship that follows.

Depending on how long you’ve been talking to each other, the level of intimacy can be different. Maybe you’ve told each other personal things. Or even exchanged a few intimate messages. That may mean your relationship is already quite close, despite not meeting them in person before.

But as it’s a first date, you probably haven’t known them for long. Is a handshake appropriate in this case? Somehow it feels wrong. However, falling straight into each other’s arms and even kissing? That’s a bit too much!

So how should you best greet your date partner?

The Handshake

There are greetings, which are very common in many countries. For example, a handshake. In fact, it may be appropriate at the first meeting. As long as you do it right. A strong handshake is great. If you are thinking of doing a high-five or even a fist bump, don’t. That would be inappropriate!

A classic handshake is fine. However, if you expect more of the date and have already developed a few feelings when messaging, then a handshake may be a bit too formal.

The Hug

A good alternative is a hug. But it should be a friendly hug first. A short, heartfelt squeeze. And it shows your date partner that you are pleased about the encounter.

Whether a handshake or a hug is appropriate, the answer may be found in the posture of your date. If the person keeps a distance, then a handshake and a friendly “Hello” are your best choice. 

The Kiss on the Cheek

Giving a quick kiss on the cheek is actually very common when meeting someone for the first time. However, if you’re like me, then you may get a little anxious when not knowing how many kisses you should do. Is it both cheeks or just the one? This can depend on what country you are in and what nationality your date is. In the UK, people usually do just the one. If you accidently go for the other cheek, you can make a joke out of it and laugh it off. This can be a great icebreaker!

Despite all these tips, authenticity is the most important thing. Welcome your date the way you feel like. However, always consider your current relationship and the body language and vibe the other person is giving off. It’s vital to get it right. Small details like this really do predetermine the tone of the date.

Our advice would be to use greeting as an opportunity to immediately break the touch barrier and confidently embrace the person. Of course, only if you feel comfortable doing so! This can demonstrate great confidence and can allows you to be flirtier with each other right from the off. Your date may even feel more comfortable around you. 

But the most important tip… Don’t forget to smile! 

The Future of Dating Post Pandemic

Posted on by Unified Dating

Spring is here, vaccines are making their way into people’s immune systems, and singles are beginning to go out on dates! However, what will the future of dating post pandemic look like?

While the prospect of dating like “normal” is exciting, it can also result in FODA, or fear of dating again.

One of the biggest shifts, we’ve seen over the last year is how we work. We’ve gone completely remote, meetings have moved online and we are now used to working from our home office’s… or bed!

Socialising and, more specifically, dating have also gone though quite a transformation over the last year. The way we have been able to connect has completely changed. I mean, how can you meaningfully date when you’re stuck indoors during a pandemic?

Back in March 2020, when lockdown first hit and we found ourselves inhabiting a strange, new way of existing, we might have assumed that the pandemic would put dating on hold. That was not the case.

With an increase in use of dating apps and dating event companies like Unified Dating, people have still made the effort to connect with other like-minded singles. In April 2020, messaging on Tinder increased globally by 52% since the start of March. UK Hinge also reported that almost half of their users had been on a video date since the new function launched last summer.

Even people that did not consider themselves to be ‘tech-savvy’, increasing become more active online and interested in online dating. Those who adopted digital-first mindsets throughout the pandemic were eager to find love in new ways.

Dating during the pandemic has soared!

So what, does the future of online dating look like now?

While the use of online dating has endured, the real growth is yet to come. As dating hotspots open their doors once more, meetups will be the first priority, giving opportunity for brands to promote businesses and activities for couples.

It seems likely that many people will continue to choose online dating, rather than face to face. In particular, young people that have not yet had the vaccine. 

But for those who will choose to meet up in person, being able to trust your date now underpins everything.

When you’re dating, it’s always important to work out your boundaries and dealbreakers and let your date know what these are, as you need to. It has been very important to set boundaries for your dates since the first. 

These boundaries may have rolled back or pushed forward depending on infection rates, Tier systems etc. but they should always be there.

Here are some boundaries you may want to talk to your date about before meeting up:

taking regular Covid-tests (especially before meeting)

  • agreeing to be physically exclusive with your date after a certain period of time
  • a period of quarantining before forming a ‘social bubble’
  • choosing to social distance on dates or to spend all of your time outdoors.
  • wearing a mask at times… yes you can still date whilst wearing a mask!

Researchers found that those who had indicated they felt more vulnerable to disease consistently displayed much lower levels of interest in their prospective dates, but it is still possible to date in the post-pandemic world! 

Unified Dating offer online and offline events so you can choose whichever makes you feel more comfortable. 

Great Zoom Date Ideas

Posted on by Unified Dating
How to Date Online During Coronavirus & Social Distancing | GQ

Even though life is now becoming more of a normality, many people will still feel uncomfortable to meet up and go on dates in person. If you are unsure about face-to-face contact, this blog is for you! Keep reading for Great Zoom Date Ideas!

Dating over Zoom is a much more relaxed environment to get to know someone.  Whereas dates normally included travel, negotiation over meeting place, hesitancy over whether the location would have great lighting, the right kind of wine menu, or whether you will be able to hear your date over the din. All of this is removed when you are able to date successfully from the comfort of your own home!

When our lives are hectic, filled with work, friends, events, conferences, and parties, there is often no time to contemplate our “singleness”.  Finding ourselves in isolation, there is far more time to focus on ourselves, whether through personal development, or choosing to explore a new relationship.

If you’re just single and want some ideas on what to do when you have a first date online… get ready! Here are some great Zoom ideas to help you make a success of your dates!

Have a location-based date!

The world of dating over Zoom has opened up the potential to not only date someone based anywhere in the world, but to also date anywhere in the world… With Zoom you can upload any type of picture or video as a backdrop, without even needing a green screen! Yes, it can occasionally look slightly glitchy – (no-one is really going to think you are sitting on a beach in the Caribbean!) it still looks pretty good – and adds to the fun of an early date. Possibly one of our faves from this Great Zoom Date Ideas list!

You can cook a meal in advance of the date that fits with the theme of the location, as well as picking music from the region. This is one of our favourite date ideas as there are so many conversation starters, for example you can choose a location that you have visited and speak about past holidays. You could even take it in turns to play different songs and discuss why they like or dislike that particular piece! If you drink alcohol, you can also pick a wine from the region.

Netflix party

A new way to watch TV together! Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) is a new way to watch TV with your friends online. Teleparty synchronizes video playback and adds group chat to Netflix, Disney, Hulu and HBO.

If you aren’t the most chatty person and would prefer to text for the first day, Teleparty is a great way to have a conversation about what you are watching!

Draw or Paint one another

This idea seems a bit crazy, but we swear it’s super fun… even if you are bad at drawing!

The idea of a painting one another is to enjoy an evening of painting, have a favourite drink on hand and, most of all, enjoy the great company!  Painting together is a unique bonding experience – perfect for date night! 

Escape Room

If you love puzzles and a challenge, room escapes made for a super fun date night back when in-person contact was safe. The good news is that these fun activities have gone virtual and can make for a great date night over Zoom. Just choose your theme and a live guide acts as your avatar as you solve the mysteries in real time.

Virtual game night

There’s nothing like a little healthy competition to spice up a Zoom date night. If you’re a board game lover, you can play just about any game out there with Tabletop Simulator. Though might need to turn off “flip the table” if you or your partner have an especially competitive streak. For something light and silly, give Jackbox a try. These casual games of wit can show off your date’s sense of humour. 

These are truly strange times for romance, and the need for virtual date ideas doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.

It may seem weird to have a date over the internet, but with more and more people meeting online in different locations, or just separated by work and family commitments or emergency situations, it’s becoming an accepted practice. Don’t let the initial strangeness get to you – come up with creative ideas to get to know your date better and look for things that you have in common to come up with more fun date ideas online. There are plenty of other Great Zoom Date Ideas on the internet!

The best UK weekend breaks for a post-lockdown getaway!

Posted on by Unified Dating
Ten things to do for a UNIQUE weekend away | Activity Holidays | Travel | Express.co.uk

Spoil your loved one with a romantic weekend away! England really is full of fairy-tale castles and tranquil beaches; the perfect backdrops to a romantic getaway. It boasts rolling countryside, fish and chips by the sea and abundance of pasties… and most hotels, holiday cottages and campsites are taking bookings. Find the best UK weekend breaks for a post-lockdown getaway.

Climb to the top of a historical cathedral and propose, or punt your special someone down the serene River Cam; there are a plethora of romantic break ideas to choose from. Discover hot-tubs hiding in forests, suites in castles with four-poster beds and an array of Michelin-starred romantic restaurants and vineyards. 

Here are Unified Dating’s favourite UK locations for your post-lockdown romantic getaway! 

Cornwall

The surf, the amazing seafood and the long, sandy beaches – Cornwall is perfect for a summer getaway. We particularly love St Ives and Padstow!

Devon

Why go? For the beautiful beaches, to get lost in hedge-lined lanes, for the vibrant cities and for the beautifully wild moors. But mostly for the beautiful beaches.

Oxford

Oxford is a top-class destination for culture and charm. Frequented for its book shops, punting, pubs and colleges, it is easily explored in a day making it the perfect weekend break if you live in London. The surrounding countryside is great if you want to get out of the bustling city. 

Dorset

Swimming, kayaking, hiking and cycling… there’s so many fun activities you can do with your loved one! And let’s not forget the Jurassic Coast – a World Heritage Site complete with beautiful beaches, award-winning fish and chips and sea-carved bays.

Edinburgh

Hike up Arthur’s Seat, visit the castle, eat at all manner of fabulous restaurants and explore the cute little nooks and crannies that are hiding at every turn. Such a magical place to be with your partner. 

Norfolk

Best weekend break in the UK for its leisurely strolls along the windswept, marsh-studded coastline followed by a well-earned local ale in one of the region’s countless pubs.

Brighton

Brighton is easily reached from London and is the perfect spot for people watching. Granted, Brighton Beach doesn’t make social distancing the *easiest* of pursuits, but the city’s bohemian and hippy vibe kinda makes the bustle worth it. There are so many bars and restaurants to choose from!

New Forest

Why go? Designated a national park in 2005, the New Forest is charming and a joy to explore – scattered with cycle tracks, deer and quaint little villages. And it’s not too far from London.

Northumberland

The beaches in Northumberland – whatever the season – are pure magic. The coastline is filled with ancient castles, hidden gardens, sandy beaches for windy walks, rolling hills, rugged moorland and friendly little villages/pubs/tea rooms. It’s a dream.

So, if you’ve got annual leave to use up or you simply fancy a weekend break after the lockdown, it’s worth turning your attentions to the humble British holiday!