Summer is just around the corner, the days are getting longer, and dating is at the top of our priority lists. Let’s be real, it feels like we’ve just regained our freedom and my only plan for the near future is to attend barbecues and watch sunsets surrounded by friends and possibly a new date.
For those of you who are ready to go on some great dates again, I have a bit of advice for you. As a self-proclaimed dating expert working behind the scenes on the Customer Success team here at Plenty of Fish, I’ve had the chance to see into the inner workings of the single dater’s mind. I’m usually able to spot when the conversation will continue to flow and when it’s just not going to happen. Let me be the first one to tell you, everything can go downhill when consent doesn’t align.
So what is consent and why is it so important? It could be anything from a simple conversation about understanding where the other person stands and your own personal boundaries to explaining what you’re looking for. Basically, consent is communicating what you want, what you like and what feels comfortable for you.
To make sure that we’re all having a good time out there, here are a few of my top recos on how to communicate better so you can start going on better dates:
- Ask what’s okay and what isn’t. Dating is easier and more fun when you know you’re not crossing someone’s personal boundaries and they’re not crossing yours.
- Speak your truth. Everyone has different likes and dislikes, so be upfront from the beginning.
- Trust your gut. You don’t have to prove anything to anybody. Saying no to something that you don’t feel 100% ok with is perfectly normal.
Understanding the other person’s preferences not only makes the first convos flow like water, but also makes it more fun, and who knows, one day it might even lead to a happy ending.
Our friends at the Match Group have put together more tips on how to get on the same page as your date and communicate better. Read all about it here: How Consent Creates Healthy Communication & Relationships
As for us, If you ever feel at some point something’s off and not sitting right with you, the team at POF is happy to take a second look.
Check out the Help Center article below on how you can send a report for our team to review: Help Center
