Online Dating Newsletter
Volume 2, Number 11 - June 8, 2005
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Table of Contents
1. From the Editor
2. Creative Date Ideas: The International Cuisine Adventure
3. Online Dating Tips: Put Keywords in Your Profile
4. Relationship Tips: Be There When it Counts
5. Relationship Quote of the Week
6. Inspirational Quote of the Week
7. Romantic Ideas: Express Your Love Week
8. News: Wedding Survey of Singles Proves Enlightening
9. Feature Link: Mixed Review of eHarmony
10. Online Dating Newsletter Updates

From the Editor

The results are fascinating to read, even though they are not scientific. One thing you notice is that a large percentage of people in the bigger cities feel that dating a year before getting married is appropriate while the majority of others feel three years is more appropriate. It makes me wonder if a real scientific survey would find a large gap in the same area between those in bigger cities versus those in more rural areas. We know that politically there is a large gap and this may expand into dating too. People in bigger cities are generally "on the go" and everything is "rush/rush" - lots to get done with little time to get it done. Whereas many people in more rural areas seem a bit more laid back and less stressed.

If you are the type that is always on the go, you may want to pay special attention to this week's Relationship Tip. When an "on the go" person takes time to attend something important to their partner, it strengthens the relationship as a result. Yet that's not always easy to do because you may have a meeting to attend, report to finish, or a corporate dinner to be at. Yet when you realize that the biggest regret older people have is not spending enough time with their family, you are given the opportunity to make sure that is a regret you never have. You'll find family time to be "recharge time" and you'll always be able to face your work with a fresh mind and great attitude because balance will have been restored to your life.

May your life be in balance always,

Joe Tracy, editor
Online Dating Newsletter

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Creative Date Ideas: The International Cuisine Adventure
When couples that have been dating a while plan a dinner out, sometimes it can get a bit routine. While eating at your favorite restaurant guarantees you will enjoy your meal, it doesn't set the mood for adventure and spontaneity. If you and your date are in a risk-taking mood and looking for something a little bit different consider the International Cuisine dinner date.

Rather than spending a lot of time trying to decide on a new restaurant to visit, simple grab your globe or world map, spin (either yourself or your globe) and point! Whatever area your finger lands on is the type of international restaurant you will go to. Of course, you do have the possibility of landing in the ocean. If this is the case, you have the option of trying again or going out to that new seafood restaurant you have been dying to try. Once you pick a random country, go to the phone book or local online yellow pages and find that type of restaurant in your area. If you can't find anything local, try the map again. Ignore the insecurities of trying something new and go for it! You may end up with a new favorite dish or restaurant. (SOURCE: Online Dating Newsletter - www.onlinedatingnewsletter.com)

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Online Dating Tips: Put Keywords in Your Profile
Many online dating services, like Match.com, offer what is called "keyword search". This allows a user to type in a keyword (like "hockey") and see user profiles that mention "hockey" in their profile while meeting other general criteria you specify (age, location, etc.). The use of keyword search is excellent for someone who has a passion about something (i.e. mountain biking) and wants to quickly find someone else who shares that passion. This also allows you to help more people find you. Simply make sure that you work into your profile several things that you love. Do you love riding roller coasters? Work that into your profile and you may soon find someone compatible with you that loves the same thing sending you a wink or a message as a result of their keyword search. (SOURCE: Online Dating Newsletter - www.onlinedatingnewsletter.com)

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Relationship Tips: Be There When it Counts
One of the biggest regrets older people say they have is not spending enough time with their family. Make sure you are there for the important events in your significant other's life. Let's say for example that your partner is going to give a presentation at a local town hall meeting. Your partner tells you they'd like for you to come, but understand that you are busy and may not be able to make it. Secretly it would mean the world to them for you to show up even though they said "they'd understand" if you didn't. Be there and offer kind words after the event then take your partner out to dinner to "celebrate". Your partner's fondness for you will likely grow each time you do this. (SOURCE: Online Dating Newsletter - www.onlinedatingnewsletter.com)

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Relationship Quote of the Week
"What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined... to strengthen each other... to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories." - George Elliot

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Inspirational Quote of the Week
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." - Robert Louis Stevenson

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Romantic Ideas: Express Your Love Week
It is always wonderful to do something special for your partner on any particular day. Why not extend that special feeling into a whole week? There are special weeks and months for virtually everything (i.e. Brain Awareness Week, Hurricane Awareness Week, etc.). As someone wanting to improve your relationship, you should conduct an annual "Express Your Love Week" in which the whole week is dedicated to doing special things for your partner. It's a week they will always crave (probably more than Valentine's Day) and will add a boost of rejuvenation into your relationship.

Here are some tips on how to make your loved one feel that extra love and appreciation all throughout "Express Your Love" week.

Day 1: Say I Love You
On the first day of Express Your Love Week, make sure you tell your partner how much you love them and why. You can tell them in person, on the phone, or in a letter or email. Just make sure you are sincere and specific. Really make them feel loved and make sure they know the reasons why they are so loveable.

Day 2: A Special Gift
Surprise your loved one with an unexpected gift on the second day. There is an added value given to a gift that comes for no reason at all. Tell your partner that they have given you so much by being a part of your life and that you wanted to give something to them to show you appreciate them.

Day 3: Kiss Like the First Kiss
This tip is one that both you and your significant other are sure to enjoy. During your time together, find an opportunity to give your partner a heartfelt, tender kiss. Look deeply into their eyes and make sure that you both are distraction free when you make your move. The kiss should leave your partner's knees weak and show how much you adore him/her.

Day 4: The Love Poem
On day four, give your partner a written love poem. The best poems are those you write on your own. However, if you are not a natural poet, find a poem that speaks true to your relationship and handwrite it out on romantic stationary.

Day 5: Homemade Meal
Invite your partner over to your house on the evening of the fifth day and prepare a meal for when they arrive. Don't just heat up some chili or microwave soup. Really cook for them. Have a dinner salad, main course, and dessert. It will impress your partner to know you took the time to make dinner special.

Day 6: Weekend Getaway
Take the weekend and whisk your loved one away for a nights stay at a place the both of you would consider romantic. If high-class hotels are your style, take him/her into the city for the night. You may feel a bed and breakfast or even camping is more romantic. If so, the option is yours. (Alternative: If you are not in a stage in your relationship where you are comfortable spending the night together, take them out for a special day trip and drop them off at home at the end of the night.)

Day 7: Breakfast In Bed
On the morning of your seventh day, pamper your sweetheart with breakfast in bed. Tell them they deserve to live like a king/queen every day because they are so special. If you have stayed at a hotel, you can order room service. If you are not in a stage in your relationship where you are comfortable spending the night together, make sure you head over to their house early to prepare breakfast for them before they have time to get up and cook for themselves.

These are only a few ideas for Express Your Love Week. There are hundreds of other ways to make your partner feel special seven days in a row. If you decide to devote a week to appreciating and loving your partner, by the end of the week, your significant other will be floating on air, thinking they have the best partner in the world. "Express Your Love Week will become their favorite week of the year. (SOURCE: Online Dating Newsletter - www.onlinedatingnewsletter.com)

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News: Wedding Survey of Singles Proves Enlightening
(June 8, 2005 - onlinedatingnewsletter.com) In an attempt to target those interested in the upcoming summer wedding season, It's Just Lunch, a dating service for busy professionals, conducted a survey of 2,774 singles on several wedding-related topics. Many of the survey results have been separated by geographical region and gender.

According to the survey:

» 26% of Northern California singles say weddings are great places to meet other singles, although they don't expect the relationship to last long. 67% of single men in San Francisco never make it past the first date with someone they met at a wedding.

» Only 3% of all singles surveyed have met someone at a wedding and are still together today, but in Minneapolis things are a bit different. In Minneapolis 23% of single men have met someone at a wedding and are still dating today. On the East Coast, 73% of men have never met someone at a wedding that they have ended up dating. Only 5% of overall single women's wedding romance has lasted only a week.

» 71% of overall singles think dating for three years before getting married is about right, while 70% of men in the Washington DC area, 85% of Southern California women, and 84% of Dallas women, think one year is enough time. A majority, 68%, of Dallas men think 2 1/2 years is the minimum to date prior to popping the question.

» 91% of singles think it is a good idea to go solo at a wedding. But, when surveying women from Orange County, only 7% said they would never go without a date to a wedding and say you are better off not going to the wedding at all rather than going solo. In Raleigh-Durham, 96% of single women in the Triangle would definitely go stag to a wedding.

» 51% of singles say you must date at least three to six months before inviting your significant other to a wedding. However, 19% of Midwestern single women say you should date six months to a year before taking a partner to a wedding. 17% of Dallas single men date someone more than a year before inviting them to a wedding.

» When asked whether any of the singles would take someone to a wedding on a first date, 53% of single women responded that they would never take a first date to a wedding. However, 13% of single women would go on a blind date to a wedding if they trusted the person who was setting them up. In Miami 12% of men would go on a blind date to a wedding-feeling that it is better than going solo.

» 46% of overall singles believe it is appropriate etiquette to bring a date when you are in the bridal party, while 52% of singles in Wisconsin singles says it depends on the circumstances and always talk to the bride or groom before sending in the RSVP.

This survey by It's Just Lunch shows that wedding etiquette and behavioral choices can vary not only between men and women but also between different states and geographical regions.

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Feature Link: Mixed Review of eHarmony
A 35-year-old male reader has submitted a mixed review of eHarmony.com to Online Dating Magazine wherein he surmises online dating as meeting in reverse. You learn everything about the person, and then you see them/meet them. He points out that hitting it off on the phone doesn't guarantee that there will be chemistry in person.

Click here to read the new reader review.

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Online Dating Newsletter Updates
A new "Clicking Together" cartoon, number 17 in our 20-week series, has been uploaded to the Online Dating Newsletter Website. Click here to view it.

A new joke has been added to the Online Dating Newsletter Dating Fun Zone. Click here to view the new Dating Jokes section.

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Editor: Joe Tracy (jtracy@onlinedatingmagazine.com)
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