We are still in the middle of the health pandemic and, yes, video-call dates are here to stay. If you already have experienced long-distance relationships, that’s great because at least you already know how to deal with virtual dates, right?
These days, physical meet-ups and actual dates have been replaced by video calls and virtual dates. Many people still prefer staying at home to be safe, and that’s understandable. But, if you are new or maybe want to give this virtual dating a try, you may want to know a thing or two on how to date virtually.
As a matchmaker, I want to make sure that I will be able to find couples that have chemistry, spark, and of course love. I admit, the pandemic has been a challenge for me as most people may be reluctant and cautious as to who they want to meet or if they still want to “date” for that matter.
Thankfully – because of technology, we found different ways to still connect and break the feeling of isolation even if most of us are still stuck at home.
And one of the things that you may want to know when it comes to dating virtually, is whether you need to dress up or not.
To simply answer that question – YES!
Of course, if you want to make an impression, you MUST be presentable even if you are not meeting the person physically or face to face. The problem with virtual dates nowadays, some take for granted how they look or appear in front of the camera.
Remember that a virtual date is still a date, so you still need to make an effort and respect the person you are going to meet.
Having said that, here are some tips that you can do to make your virtual date a success.
Take some time to prepare and dress up
As previously mentioned, a virtual date is still a date that you should give time and proper attention to. You should still shower, fix your hair and dress up.
Remember that a nice outfit can help boost your confidence which helps in making an amazing first impression.
Respect yourself and your date enough to make sure you are presentable for your virtual date. You don’t necessarily need to put on a suit and tie or dress – but at least make sure that what you wear reflects that you cared enough to look good for the date. Get the picture?
Look at your environment
Since you will be in front of your camera, make sure that your surroundings are also neat and appropriate. Get the ambiance as relaxed as possible and tidy up the space behind you. People who you talk with can see the background so you might want to check it first before engaging on the call.
Otherwise, you can use the apps’ functions where you may use appearance-enhancing features or blur the background.
Make sure that you have the right amount of light and that the angle of your camera is placed in such a way that your date can see you clearly.
Avoid interruptions
You want to make sure that you and your date are paying close attention to one another and that there are no interruptions just like on a normal date. So, you have to make sure that there are no pets, friends, or family members present during your virtual call – as much as possible.
I mean, on a normal date, you wouldn’t bring them along with you, right? Place in silent mode or turn off your cellphone to avoid distractions.
But in case they’ve accidentally shown themselves during the call, or they are simply curious as to who you are talking to, tell your date that you are living with your mom, dad, or friends. Be honest about your status especially if you are a single mom or dad with kids at home.
Assure your date that you are using headphones and that no one can hear your date except you to make them feel comfortable and at ease while both of you are talking.
Acknowledge awkwardness
First dates can be awkward and it is not different from doing it virtually. It can feel weird so don’t expect that your first virtual date will run smoothly. Just be yourself and act naturally. Bring in humor and laugh out the bloopers and small mishaps during the call.
Talk and listen to one another and keep the conversation flowing. Talk about lighthearted topics and get to know more about one another.
Set a time limit
It is advisable to keep your virtual date to an hour at the most. That way, you will not run out of topics to share and will peak each other’s curiosity which can make you excited to set up another date.
True that we are still on lockdowns and restrictions due to the pandemic but a little effort goes a long way. You want to make sure that you spend some time preparing and dressing up to make sure that you create a good impression and who knows, create a romantic spark on your first date!