What distance are you willing to travel to meet that special someone?

At RSVP Dating Agency and Singles Club, age is something that is discussed on a daily basis. When our
experienced Dating Consultants meet with new members, they work with them to set out their criteria including how far are you willing to travel to meet someone.  Is 20 miles from your house or less the perfect distance, or are you willing to look at 50 or even 100 miles from where you live?

We like to think we act GLOBALLY, but we often end up acting LOCALLY.

But it is really important to consider the decision you make as it will determine the available pool of candidates to pull from. It's true that it is much easier to meet someone for a lunch date or a cup of coffee the nearer to you that they live, however you really don't want to limit your options. Distance can make a huge difference. If you’re prepared to see people who live 100 miles away (you only need travel 50 miles if you meet half way), you’re covering an area four times bigger - with probably four times as many potential matches in it - than if you specify 50 miles.

So if you really are looking for a soul mate or long term partner you need to be realistic that the ideal person for you might be some distance away. After all, you haven’t met them yet! And with so many new ways to stay in contact virtually these days, distance need not be a barrier.

We have so many dating success stories where members have set their mileage range for potential introductions but then attended one of our hosted singles events or received an introduction outside their initial request where romance blossomed and the distance failed to matter .

Over our 29 years, we have learnt that distance; just like height, dress size and age, really is just a number. When it comes down to it, if everything else fits the bill do you really want to turn down the chance that they could be the one, all for the sake of a number?

Valentine’s Day – that dreaded time of year for singles everywhere.

As we approach Valentine’s Day 2021, with National Lockdown restrictions still in place, it is likely to be even more disheartening for single people this year. Finding love at any time is tough – but during a pandemic it can seem impossible. And when there is no hiding from all the reminders that Valentine’s Day is upon us it can feel even more isolating. 

So, if you find yourself feeling lonely and frustrated as you see all those adverts with happy couples spending lockdown together, why not make 2021 the year you proactively seek out someone special?

There is no time like the present!

No matter how you decide to find a partner – be it online dating apps or using the expertise and support of a Matchmaker – make sure you do something - be proactive. This year, you are even less likely to bump into Mr or Mrs Right wandering around the supermarket or at work.  You need to take some positive action to start your dating journey this month.

Make the most of the work we find ourselves in.

So, we have established that you are not likely to bump into the love of your life during lockdown. But the good news is that more people than ever before are signing up online and to matchmaking and introduction agencies to give them the best chance of finding the right person. So why not join them and look to the virtual world to meet new people. There are some great ways of getting to know someone virtually until you can meet in person.  

Use a Matchmaker Agency like RSVP Introductions

By working closely with our expert Matchmaking team, you can increase your chances of finding love
this Valentine’s Day. Using a matchmaker can help you to establish the values and characteristics that are important to you in a partner.  They are then able to use a mix of intuition and expertise to search through their database to present matches that best meet those criteria.  They can also challenge you to look outside your comfort zone. Our matchmakers have already got to know those members on their database – so the chances of the chemistry being there is much higher.

Another benefit of choosing to work with a Matchmaker is that it can give you a more personal and enjoyable dating journey that will leave you feeling confident, energised and safe. No more scrolling through online profiles, trying to work who is genuine, even before you think about their suitability.

At RSVP, we understand that although finding someone to spend time with on Valentine’s Day is the short-term goal, ultimately you are looking for a life partner. Our expert matchmakers work tirelessly to get to know you and what you are looking for so they can introduce you to the right person for you.

So why wait? Get in touch with our friendly team today and Valentine’s Day could be the first day of the rest of your new life.

 

Five reasons NOT to start Virtual Dating

01: Myth: It's too complicated to start Virtual Dating

Truth: Virtual dates have become the new normal way of getting to know someone but it needn't be complicated. There are a number of ways to go on a virtual date and you don't need any special software.  You can use Skype, Facetime, WhatsApp, Zoom or Google Hangouts or even a Netflix Teleparty.  

As an RSVP member, you can call the friendly RSVP team if you need some more help with technology.

02: Myth: A Virtual Date isn't a REAL date

Truth: Virtual dates have become a safe way of getting to know someone, yet still abiding by the regulations. They are a fun and low-pressure way of getting to know someone in the comfort of your own home. And, just think, there's no awkwardness working out who picks up the bill at the end of the night!

Plus remember at RSVP we have met everyone first so you’ll know they’re looking for a serious relationship.

03: Myth: I can't get to know someone if I don't meet in person

Truth: The very nature of a virtual date allows you to focus more on the stuff that matters, such as personality and interests rather than height or shoe choice, Also, it can give you a more of a window into their home life. How's the house decorated - do they have interesting art on the walls? You don't get to find that out on a date in the pub! 

And your Dating Consultant at RSVP can help you chose just the right spot in your home for you to be online - to give the very best impression

04: Myth: Awkward silences are bad enough in real life - worse on the internet

Truth: The bonus of a virtual date is that it makes it easy to hide that list of ice-breakers you have had time to think about before the date - you can keep them by your side just in case! 

And with RSVP we are always there to help you come up with ideas that really work.

05:  Myth: There's no intimacy without eye contact

Truth: Yes, research does suggest that couples that look into each other's eyes can increase their feelings for each other. But the plus for virtual dating is there's much less distraction around than in a public space so you can focus on each other much more.  

The team of experts at RSVP can give you lots of tried and tested ways to make connections on a virtual date.

And if you need more proof that there's no better time to start - have a look at some of RSVP's success stories during lockdown. 

Online Virtual Singles Events in Lockdown from RSVP

When you can't leave your house, that puts a serious damper on your ability to attend singles events and, with it, your dating life. Of course, that's not the biggest concern during a global pandemic. But human interaction plays a major role in our mental health. That's why Covid isn't stopping singles events at RSVP Dating Agency and Singles Club.  

During this time of isolation, the team of Matchmakers at RSVP felt they needed more than ever to help bring people together and build relationships with others on their dating journey. "Right from the first lockdown, we knew it was important to keep that personal connection with our members" said Jacqui, one of RSVP's expert Dating PAs.

"So, RSVP singles events have gone virtual, allowing you to 'meet up' with other singles from the safety of your own home. We provide an excellent and safe way to meet like-minded singles.

"We have been running virtual singles events such as games nights, cocktail evenings, theatre evenings and escape rooms since the first lockdown and they have really helped to keep our members connected during what can be a very lonely time," continues Jacqui. "It makes it all worthwhile when we get feedback like this from one of our members - JG."

Of course, virtual events cannot possibly replace the excitement of meeting face to face, but just think of the advantages! There's no travel time, you get to optimise how you look - taking advantage of good lighting and backgrounds - and you get to meet other single people you may not meet otherwise. Plus it's a way of staying connected and having some fun. And you just might meet Mr or Ms Right!

If we have convinced you that this the perfect time ignite your dating journey, book a zoom chat with our friendly team at RSVP Dating and Singles Club today. This time around, lockdown doesn’t have to feel like a lonely slog, and you can begin building genuine connections through online virtual singles events from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Dating in Lockdown – is it time to connect with other singles?

Here we go again - facing another lockdown! The good news for us at Dating Agency RSVP is that this time the end is in sight with the vaccination programme rolling out across the UK. So maybe now is the time to use the lockdown to connect with other likeminded singles and find someone special. 

Virtual connections have become the new norm since the Covid outbreak. And the great news is that virtual dating allows for time to get to know someone first – which can then continue to blossom after lockdown.

We know that lockdown can be a stressful time for everyone. Whether you are working, home schooling or furloughed and at home alone. Being separated from friends and family and unable to go out and socialise can really take its toll on your mental wellbeing.

Why not make your New Year’s Resolution to make this lockdown a little bit better than the last one and start your dating journey with RSVP Dating Agency?

After all, at RSVP, our expert matchmakers had some great successes during the previous lockdowns. 

RSVP's success rate stems from our friendly team of experts. 

RSVP Dating Agency offers possibly the easiest and safest way to go virtual dating. It's simple, safe and hassle-free. By using our team of experts to find matches for you, you save so much time. There's no trawling through profiles, no emailing backwards and forwards trying to get a date, no wondering if your profile paints you in the best possible light, no fear that the person's profile you're viewing isn't really who they say they are. You can relax while we do all the legwork for you. All you have to do is arrange the date. 

We will be with you every step of the way and can even help you think of some inventive ideas for “virtual dates” if you are getting on well with someone. Our members have tried lots of things including virtual happy hours, virtual dinners or online games nights. Our team has gathered its top advice for fun virtual date ideas that can bring the two of you closer together, regardless of lockdown!

At RSVP, we can help you get started on your virtual dating journey. We will take our time getting to know you – just as we have all our other members. All we need is about an hour of your time to understand what you're looking for in a partner and what you have to offer. We get to know your hobbies and interests, your personality preferences, your likes and dislikes. All of those criteria are recorded on our sophisticated matchmaking system, which allows our expert matchmakers to select the best possible match at any given moment.

So, if you are thinking of joining us, we can arrange a zoom meeting to keep you safe, so we get to know each other and we can really find out what you are looking for. Our experts will use their skills and knowledge to create the perfect profile for matching you with like-minded people. 

Don't delay - contact RSVP now and arrange a no-obligation chat!

My Experience of Dating Apps

Before working at Dating Agency and Singles Club RSVP, I tried out a few Dating Apps. After all, in my age bracket, the most common way to meet someone is online. I had friends that had great success with dating apps and I thought it might be a fun, easy way of meeting people. However, the reality was very different and, whilst many people have met partners, there are many issues to be faced. Since working at RSVP, I have discovered that the process through a dating agency is so much better than app dating for a whole range of reasons. Here are some observations:

Firstly, I am going to jump right in and state the obvious: dating apps are over-saturated with users. You can create an account on them within minutes and delete an account even quicker. In comparison, joining RSVP requires investment; you have to invest your time in an meeting with a Dating Consultant and your money in the membership. This way, we know our members are serious about meeting someone. 

There are so many different dating apps and dating app users, which results in a large number of people to sift through, the focus usually being by swiping left or right. You can’t really set filters other than location and age, which is frustrating. It is worth noting that the age people display in their profile may not be truthful, it is very common for people to shave a few years off their age, because who is going to catch them out? At RSVP, when interviewing prospective members, we ask to see ID to get our members true age. 

You do have to put a lot of time into app dating, hours can easily be wasted away by swiping to find people of interest. You quickly find that you are in too many conversations with too many people, which naturally becomes overwhelming. Sadly I found that the conversations are often boring small talk and then didn't very often progress to a date.

Personally I found the behaviour on dating apps to be quite brutal; it is common to abruptly get ignored or ‘ghosted’ mid-conversation when it seems going well. Typically, you see someone you like the look of. 20+ other people probably like them too; they could be talking to 20+ other people too. Perhaps they like someone better that you and are putting all their attention into that, and just ‘bread crumbing’ you for back up. In all honesty, I have probably been both ‘bread crumbed’ and the ‘bread crumber’. You hope that you become their ‘first choice’ and they give you all their attention. 

It is safe to say that, whilst talking to strangers online, normal social graces and good manners tend to get forgotten. Dating apps must be the most transient and disposable method of dating. Everyone is looking out for themselves and you can quickly find yourself in a vicious circle of bad manners. You could have been having a really great conversation with someone and then bang; no reply after two weeks of messaging. Did you do something wrong? Did they lose their phone? Are they in a coma? No, I think the most likely scenario is that they have had a better option come up.

Profiles are important in whatever method of dating you are doing. At RSVP, our dating consultants write the members their profiles after a face to face interview. Some Dating App users create a profile filling it out with the maximum amount of detail; others don’t write anything at all. Pitching the profile right is important; if someone hasn’t taken the time to write anything about themselves, I view it as they aren’t really bothered and won’t have good conversation. However, at the other extreme, if someone has written an essay about themselves and their numerous hobbies, likes and dislikes, I assumed that they are only interested in themselves and probably wouldn’t have time to date me. 

This is probably one of the most talked about things with online dating: it is purely photos and appearance driven, where you are judged on a couple of photos and perhaps whatever you write in the profile. These photos could be old photos from years ago - suitably filtered - or, in extreme situations, may not even be a photo of the person whose profile it is!

Finally, we need to discuss safety. It goes without saying that there is very little accountability online and it is common sense to meet in a public place with lots of people. There are plenty of horror stories in the media about online dates ending horribly and I don’t need to add to this. I was never put in any kind of danger or felt threatened in any way, but safety was always at the back of my mind and I did feel the need to relay to friends where I was going and with whom.

In conclusion, I quickly discovered I didn’t want to spend all day on a dating app; it almost felt like a full-time job. I swiped through so many people, so many conversations were attempted and a handful of unsuccessful dates took place that went nowhere. Whilst there is undeniable success on dating apps, it is purely because of volumes. 

Since working at RSVP, I found that the process of dating offline, working with a team of expert matchmakers, is a safer and kinder form of dating. To find out more about RSVP and the different membership options, just fill out a few details and the helpful Enquiries Team will be in touch.

Is my relationship ‘status’: “Pre-Successful”?

This is the final piece in a series of posts commissioned by RSVP from Becki Coombe. When not date-hunting herself, Becki delivers a range of education and training courses. One of Becki’s main areas of interest is teaching people how to provide Mental Health ‘First Aid’ but even more pro-actively encouraging others to recognise and look after their own wellbeing. You can read more about what Becki does at www.thelearn2group.org.uk.

Let’s face it – we all love a label right?! What sex do we identify with, what religion are we and don’t even get me started on whether I am ‘allowed’ to tick the “single” instead of “divorced” box on a form?!!

But on a film I watched recently, I heard the term “pre-successful” being used by someone who was unemployed and I wondered – is this something that I could also lend to my dating situation?...

…so the pros are of course that it may be perceived as a more positive way of saying “yes, I am still single” and it may just baffle someone enough to then not carry on and ask that ridiculous question “how/why are you single”? (You have to have some singles in the world to keep RSVP single events and dating agencies like RSVP running)?! I also like that it infers that there is a successful relationship to come in the future.

…alternatively, there could be an interpretation that not being in a relationship is actually a failure/ being unsuccessful – which is simply not the case.

So even though I am not convinced by my thoughts enough to write to Facebook and ask them to add an additional relationship status category, I have had a moment or two confirm, that the way we perceive things may have an impact on how we choose to live from day-to-day;

- at this time of year for example, many people have made New Years resolutions. Why?!!! Every one of us has the capacity to make choices and changes at any first or middle date of any of the twelve months!

- when people comment that we look nice in something we often quickly reply with ‘oh I’ve had this years/I got it in a sale’. Why?!!! Every one of us can train ourselves to say thank you and acknowledge the personal compliment for exactly what it was!

- when people comment that they don’t meet new people (or dates!), then state that they don’t go to any local/community/advertised activities… why?!!! Every one of us has the capacity to Google local interests and get involved in a way that suits ourselves.

So as a closing comment from me in this series of blog posts about emotional wellbeing and achieving balanced nutrition; who do you want to be, how do you want to feel and how do you want to live – whether you realised it or not, the power is all in your own hands. So take it, cherish it and enjoy it!

If you want to get in touch with me, you can do so via my website: www.thelearn2group.org.uk.

Becki Coombe