Where you meet on a date can be quite a tricky decision. You don't know this person very well — you may not even have spoken on the phone — so you won't be quite sure of their taste. There's no duller a question than 'where do you like to go out?' on email or on the actual date, but sometimes it's good to get an idea of where these people socialise, as you can usually get a pretty good handle on what kind of person they are. Unless they're...

One of the most harrowing parts of having an online dating profile seems to be the necessity to write about yourself. Countless singletons struggle with this, and, boy, does it show! There's only one simple rule to remember when writing the introductory paragraph of your profile: try not to sound like a dickhead. Judging by some of the woeful intros I've read over the last few months, it's much more difficult than it sounds. Here's a handy top 5 for ultimate 'God this guy/ girl sounds like a bellend' aversion:...

Stats: 5'10″, 32, black/brown, Mexico When: Saturday 31 July, 1pm and 10.30pm Where: South-east London Pre-date rating: 7/10 The dates are becoming more and more disillusioning as time goes on, to be honest. This one is a little different from the others, though. I meet him on a different site, one where you know less information about your potential date, but you talk through instant messenger, rather than emails. (Edit: Grindr – why am I so afraid to say Grindr?!) We seem to get on well, at first missing each other and...

Pictures are quite important when it comes to online dating. Sure, your blurb helps get your personality across, but in the real world, what you look like is likely to make more of an instant impact.  So it's crucial that your photos make you look as all-out hot as possible. And if you can't rely on God-given beauty, your photos can at least present to your 'audience' what kind of person you are. Profile pictures can either be the catalyst for much excitement when you realise that somebody smoking hot...