Dating. A great way to meet people, sure. The chance to get out of the house and do different things with guys who you wouldn't normally have met, yes. But let's not forget another reason why we date – to get sex. Uh-huh. Oh yes, yes, avert your gaze and look coyly to the floor but let's cut the crap here. As nice as your date may be and as much fun as you may be having, if you don't fancy them it's pretty pointless. And when you fancy someone,...

Not sure whether they like you or not? Or whether you like them? Really? Do yourself a favour. Ten signs the first date will be the last: 1. They are otherwise perfect but there is one fatal flaw that you can't stop looking at, thinking about and trying not to mention, even though it is taking over your mind and threatening to launch itself from your tongue and across the table like a bile-covered missile. It could be anything: a crooked tooth, a liney forehead, a third eye. If you...

As regular readers will know, not all of my dates have gone very well. In fact my hit rate for me actually enjoying my dates is hovering at or below around 40 per cent. When you consider the amount of dates I have out myself through, that can make for some depressing times. So given that most of these first dates have ended in disaster, how do you make it clear that the first date shall be the last, and that the only thing unique about your fateful meeting is...

There are a variety of ways to show someone that you're interested in them on an online dating site. Some sites allow you to 'wink' at the object of your affection, while others allow you to 'star' them or 'add them as a favourite', which has given rise to a new, dreadful verb: to favourite. Winking, for me, is a cop-out. It doesn't say that you're flirtatious, it says — nay, SCREAMS — 'I'm not a paid subscriber and this is the only way I can register my interest in...

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...