Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this whole online dating thing for a while now, and let me tell you, it’s a jungle out there. The latest puzzle I’ve been trying to crack is this: how to actually get to a real date without getting stuck in endless small talk. You know, the “Hey, how’s it going?” back-and-forth that goes nowhere. So, I did some digging and experimenting, and here’s what I’ve found.
Ditching the Small Talk
First off, I stumbled upon this app called “HaveYouMet.” Sounds cheesy, I know, but hear me out. The whole idea is to match you with people based on shared interests and what you’re actually looking for in a relationship. No more swiping through endless profiles just to end up in a chat that feels like pulling teeth. The app’s designed to push you towards setting up a date pretty quickly, which is a huge plus in my book.
- Tried “HaveYouMet” – Matched with a few folks who seemed genuinely interested in the same stuff as me.
The Google Voice Trick
Now, about phone numbers. I’m not too keen on handing out my real number to every Tom, Dick, and Harry I match with. That’s where Google Voice comes in. It’s this neat little app that gives you a separate number. You can call, text, all that jazz, without revealing your actual digits. I started using it, and it’s been a game-changer. No more worrying about who’s got my real number.
- Set up Google Voice – Got a new number specifically for dating.
- Tested it out – Texted and called a match through the app. Worked like a charm.
Getting to the Date
Here’s where things get interesting. I’ve always been the type to avoid small talk like the plague. So, I decided to just go for it. After a few messages back and forth on these apps, I’d just ask if they wanted to meet up for coffee or a drink. No beating around the bush. And you know what? It actually worked. I’ve had a couple of dates this way, and it’s been refreshing to just skip to the good part – you know, actually meeting in person.
- Asked for a date directly – Sent a message like, “Hey, wanna grab coffee sometime?”
- Scheduled a meet-up – Managed to set up a coffee date with someone who seemed pretty cool.
Keeping It Safe
Of course, I’m not throwing caution to the wind here. I made sure to do a quick online search using the Google Voice number, just to see what’s out there. It’s a good way to make sure you’re not walking into something sketchy. Plus, I always make sure our first meeting is in a public place, just to be on the safe side.
- Did a quick background check – Googled the Google Voice number to see if anything weird came up.
- Chose a public place for the first date – We met at a local coffee shop. Felt much safer.
So, that’s my experience so far. It’s been a bit of a learning curve, but I feel like I’m finally getting the hang of this online dating thing. By using apps that encourage real dates, protecting my number with Google Voice, and just being upfront about wanting to meet, I’ve managed to skip a lot of the usual online dating headaches. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
