7 Tips To Make Dating In The City Much Easier

Katherine Ripley • January 25, 2016

We all know that dating in NYC is a struggle. Here are some tips to make it a little bit easier:

1. Stay Close To Home

It’s tempting to widen your Tinder distance settings so you have more options to work with, but going on a date with someone in a faraway neighborhood in another borough is going to take time that you don’t have. If you already struggle to find time for dating, stick to people who live near you.

2. Make Yourself Look Interesting

The more average you seem, the less likely it is that you will get matches and messages. You might be pretty but no one wants to date someone who looks boring. Highlight your tattoos, piercings, weird hair, and radical political beliefs.

3. Message First

This applies to guys and girls. If you really like someone and want to go on a date with them, there is no reason to wait to send a message.

4. Meet In A Familiar Place

Even if there isn’t a specific bar or cafe that you both know, at least choose an area that you both know. That way you’ll be able to relax and won’t have to worry about figuring how to get home if you need to leave.

5. Consider Non-Bar Options

Bars can be loud and dark, so you have to shout your conversation and you can’t really see each other that well. Having a date in a park could be a refreshing change that allows you to actually get to know someone.

6. Split The Check

This is the 21st century, and this is an expensive city. There is absolutely nothing wrong with splitting the check. Girls: if he still really wants to pay for you, let him pay, but you should at least offer to go dutch.

7. Ladies: Invest In A Large Purse

If you hit it off, and you want to go home with him, having necessary supplies like clean underwear and deodorant in your bag can make you feel much more comfortable. This can also help if you’ll have a long walk (subway ride?) home the next morning. But number 1 is also meant to address that problem.