Dating Diaries

Dating Diaries: The new Power Couple

2010-05-20T09:36:41Z

Public displays of affection, smiles drawn across faces that the Cheshire cat would be proud of, and an air of excitement and promise billowing from all those associated with the happy couple. Yes readers, we have a new celebrity couple in the spotlight.

In case you haven't guessed, I am talking about our new Prime Minister, and his deputy.

Dating diaries never misses a chance to explore the boundaries of relevance, but, with this David Cameron and Nick Clegg partnership, I firmly believe this new coalition government gives us a glimpse of the first stages of a romance in its purest form.

Let's look at it from a dating viewpoint.

The flirting and attraction began the moment no party claimed an outright majority, (picture the last two remaining people not coupled up at a school disco and you grasp the sort of desperation I'm alluding to here.) The courting process was brief but meticulously detailed. Then each leader introduced each other to their in-laws (otherwise known as their respective parties), some disliked the union, others saw promise in it. Once this test was over, it was time to let their friends know, and so the public witnessed Cameron and Clegg's first outing together, in the grounds of number 10 itself.

And there you have it, a whirlwind romance.

What this union allows dating diaries to explore is the situation where two people are thrown together, often through no fault of their own. This happens numerous times everyday, and people often find excuses to remove the situation from the scenario, or the circumstances from result. Sounding a little complex? I agree, lets tone it down a little.

How many times have people been within close proximity to one another, be it through friendship, employment, or other scenarios, and the possibility of romance is never even whispered? It's not whispered, because it is presumed from the offset that this simply wouldn't work. Why is this presumed? Sometimes there does need to be a clean break from work and personal life, and this is how many people like it. Most of the time people are simply too wary to look at this option.

It's astonishing to think that some completely discredit huge parts of their day to day life and how it could impact upon their personal life and happiness. The next time you start thinking about how you never have the chance to meet people or the right kind of person, why don't you start to look closer to home.

Cameron and Clegg have taken a chance, why can't you do the same?

Finally, Dating Diaries is excited to announce that we have a couple of new dating experts joining us. As much as I think it is great that we have dating diaries operating from a man's viewpoint, I am all about fairness, and dating isn't a sport you can do on your own, so we have a couple of female daters who are going to be sharing their dating stories and tips with our loyal readers. This is really great news, and really makes dating diaries your one stop dating shop for tips, advice, and just a good old bit of gossip and Celebrity love news and gossip.

Dating Diaries: Elections and Dating, both just one big flirt, right?

2010-04-15T12:59:29Z

JFK first showed us the way when his cool exterior, and chiselled good looks, wiped the floor with Nixon & his perspiring forehead. The UK has dragged its feet, but Gordon has willingly agreed to follow suit and go head to head (hopefully not shiny and slightly damp head a la Nixon) with his opposite numbers in a live televised leader debate.

And about time!

We try to deny it, try to hide it, and some even use it to show a weakness in character, but the fundamental reason why undecided, first time or returning voters choose their candidate is more often than not based on whether they like the person?

'Dating Diaries, where are you going with this?' you ask. Simple, winning votes, and dating are based on the same fundamentals, and at the core of this is sits a good old fashioned flirt!

Flirting gets you places. Those that do it well, and by well I mean not too much, and without any 'David Brent' attributes, find it opens doors. Dating without flirtation is like Radio 2 without Terry Wogan, good, but not quite right. On a date, you need to flirt to test the waters between those islands of 'Chemistry' and 'plutonic' and depending on the strength and reception of your flirt, depends on which island that relationship will embark from.

Politicians flirt, and they do so for your vote and support. Brown and Cameron have witnessed the importance of Michelle Obama to her husbands 'vote for change' campaign, and consequently, Samantha Cameron has saucy photos splashed across the tabloids, and Sarah Brown is on Twitter!

Dating and campaigning both seek to find or provide you with the answers to the same questions. Who do you fancy, who is good for you, does your family like the person, who can provide for you the best, and finally, who do you enjoy spending time with?

Superficiality reigns supreme. The politician will try & impress with promises, and your date will try & impress with his/her personality/lifestyle/job etc. The key to both is to dig a little deeper, and make both answer specific questions relating to your own needs.

If ever there was an attempt at bringing 'sexy back' to an election, this is it. Faces are being scrutinised rather than policies, the cut of a suit is judged as 'leadership material', and the calibre, looks and impact of one's significant other is being paraded around (or pictured wearing a couple of rather short, revealing dresses in Samantha Cameron's case).

Dating Diaries says be fussy! Ask not what your country can do for you, but what a likely hung parliament will do for beverage prices, VAT prices and its effect on high street stores, compromising the likelihood of you buying those new shoes, and petrol prices for all those romantic weekends away!
Remember, flirting only goes so far, so make sure you have something concrete to base your decision on, both for your vote, and your love life.

To end, Dating Diaries has to congratulate itself a little, and mention that we have had a great start to 2010 and welcomed thousands of new online daters to our community. So, if your on the look out for love and for that special someone, click on your region below and get dating!

As if you don't hear enough of my ramblings already, I thought it might be an idea to join the 'Twitter' revolution, so if you are interested in following me please click here http://twitter.com/alexbroun

Dating Diaries: What makes a single man tick?

2010-04-07T10:09:06Z

Situated within the same realms of mystery as the birth of the universe, who shot J.F.K and is it really that important to put the toilet seat down, this week, Dating
Diaries looks at what really makes a single man tick?

Stubbornly refusing to give up its secret, in the same way as Jordan is clinging to her career, the thoughts, moods, and behavioural patterns of the modern day single male are a closely guarded secret, known only to those of the male species.

Dating diaries is here to expel all this rumour and myth, hopefully bringing our female readers some clarity into what goes on inside the head of a typical single man.

Let's start with the notion of being a single man. Really, is any man claiming to be happily single telling the truth? Some instances you can't ignore like Cliff Richard staying celibate for the best part of the 200 years, but in the main, I think bravado is the culprit here.

It is in the psyche of the modern man to 'puff' his chest and display a full plumage to all those that will take notice. Having a companion/girlfriend/wife close by means someone is always around to witness his everyday achievements such as putting the dishwasher on, or cleaning the basin after his shave.

The single man likes to be in charge. He feels in control of what he wants, and what he wants to do. This goes with the territory, believing being single means no one can tell him what to do, where to go, or what to think. On the first couple of dates, if you appear unwilling to compromise, or too head strong, then prepare for disappointment. I guarantee he will not return your calls.

Let him think he is in charge. Begin by dropping hints as to the type of date, cuisine, or wine you prefer, and, if he gets these hints, and arranges a nice date, compliment him on his choice. You'll enjoy your evening, and he'll be pleased with himself.

Follow your own timeline as to how quickly a relationship evolves, not his. This will benefit both of you as getting to know someone properly and thoroughly before taking the next step of a relationship pays dividends to the health of a new relationship.

Patience or lack of it is a common trait that many single men suffer from. Always wanting to rush, and never one step at a time, may play havoc with your self imposed time table. However, there is always a way out. By rewarding your date at the right time, and the right occasion means that the delicate balance of 'mystery', 'intrigue' and 'desire' will be firmly wedged in your favour, and keeps you in control.

The average single man only really ever has a select few things on his mind. Being slightly above average, I manage three things, 'have I got my phone, wallet and house keys?!!' Remember this when you get to know your date, allow him to digest the information you have bestowed upon him thoroughly, and leave a distinct pause before revealing anything new.

The single man is becoming rarer and rarer, and finding the right one for you, even harder. Dating Diaries appreciates that the above might also be suited for training one's dog, however, the core theme portrayed is make sure you do things your way in a way your are comfortable with.

Single men can be fickle, vain, irritating, and also quite nasty but persevere. Keep on the look out, keep your confidence, and your never know what might happen, or who will be round the corner!

Finally, Dating Diaries would like to say congratulations to Martin Huntbach, Yvonne Rea, Paul Cooper and Claire Butler, who all won our fantastic 'City Breaks' competition.

Our lucky winners will be enjoying four fabulous weekends away throughout the year in a UK city of their choosing.

This week, Dating Diaries is offering you the chance to buy the new Victoria Jackson designer cosmetics range for just £30! In this designer cosmetic range, you will receive over £150 worth of cosmetics, for the great price of £30, so make the most of the this great offer for a limited time!

Dating Diaries: Toni Terry, or Cheryl Cole - Whose side are you on?

2010-03-11T13:49:41Z

Quite frankly, Dating Diaries is becoming increasingly tired of all the supposed infidelity circling around various celebrity circles.

We have seen less than pleasant reports and accusations coming from the Tiger Woods, John Terry, Ashley Cole, and Vernon Kay camps, and while I have no interest in commenting on something I have little knowledge on, I am intrigued into the level of interest it has generated.

Two sides have been formed. Cheryl's 'I've had enough, I've been embarrassed enough already' Cole's side, and Toni 'why do I want to lose my soul mate' Terry's side. The question is, whose side are you on?

To me, this is simple. Go right back to the beginning, that first date, the first kiss, the first weekend away, and then imagine that your date was seeing other people at the same time. Does this make the decision any clearer? I hope so.

Clearly, there are other facts that I'm not privy to, and I'm purposefully oversimplifying the situation, but it doesn't disguise the fact that the problem cannot be painted over, the cracks will reappear.

Dating Diaries stance is simple. Love is about respect. If you don't respect your spouse enough to stay faithful, then you have to question whether it is love you feel, or rather familiarity and/or comfort.

Featured dating venue

I managed to prise myself away from Celebrity based rumours, and set about finding out a couple of new and interesting ideas for dates.

Perhaps surprisingly, a trip to Harrods provided the inspiration this week.

This legendary shopping emporium really does provide a wonderful place to go on a date. The place is alive with activity, restaurants, things to play with, and puppies! If you are nervous about the date, there is plenty of inspiration to strike up some conversation topics, and it has a very romantic and magical feel to it. If your in the area, or in our nations capital, try out its very unique experience.

Final mention

I have recently had my eyesight treated with Laser Eye treatment from 'Ultralase'. As a serial short-sighted person, who refused glasses at all costs, and as a result, suffered badly in the dating game, I am over the moon with the results.

One of first things I noticed was that the ability to become more sociable in pubs, bars, clubs etc. I can now approach people knowing who they are, and more importantly in the dating world, what they look like! If you interested in this, have a look at www.ultralase.com

Needless to say, I strongly recommend the treatment, and Ultralase were fantastic! I now understand what 'ABC' were singing about, 'The look of Love'!

To end this week, Dating Diaries would like to send our best wishes to Tiffany Forster, and Hugo Baldwin, who will be getting married on Friday 12th Feb. Tiffany and Hugo are quite simply a fantastic couple, and we wish them all the very best luck for the future.

Dating Diaries: Make him fall in love with you in 90 minutes.

2010-02-15T16:37:09Z

Dating Diaries has been busy over the festive period, researching and exploring some of so-called best dating advice and tips around. Spending hours trawling through men and woman's magazines, online dating sites & agony aunt columns, my aim was to offer our daters a sure and secure footing to push forward in this potentially uphill battle for finding love in 2010.

Uncovering some truly remarkable and downright odd advice, my findings suggest that it is a miracle that Dating Diaries is around to deliver a little sanity to this minefield of baffling dating ideas!

]]> If I may draw your attention to this week's Dating Diaries title, 'Make him fall in love with you in 90 minutes'. This particular piece of journalism was found in an extremely well known ladies glossy magazine, which I shall not name. This piece offers diamond encrusted advice such as 'Match and Mirror him - when he moves his left hand, you move your right. When he leans forward, you do too, and when he crosses his legs, cross yours'. Amused at trying to picture this seated, synchronised Torvil and Dean attempt at body language flirtation, I pondered on whether there is someone out there that has ever tried to follow this advice?

I am a man. I write this column from the perspective of a man, and I would like to make one thing very clear. If you behave as instructed above, towards a potential male love interest, a couple of things will happen. Firstly, he will probably not notice, and if by some miracle he does, he will be completely and utterly 'freaked' out by this copy cat behaviour, perhaps even amused to the point where he may attempt some Yoga moves to test the extent of your dedication.

Reading on, another comment confidentially followed, 'Science has proved that 90 minutes is the perfect time frame to get two hearts pounding to a single beat'. Ladies reading this, I can assure you that this is not the case, unless you happen to meet the single version of Donny Osmond cross bred with Cliff Richard at his most holiness.

Here is a thought, why don't you just see if you get along?

Most guys are genuinely scared about the process of chatting to any woman, unless you include their mother or perhaps Lorraine Kelly. Make him feel comfortable in your presence, and not by imitating his movements!

You can't and don't have to 'make chemistry', it is not the love equivalent of a soufflé, it's just exists, like the aging process or Jody Marsh. Forcing chemistry makes guys look stupid, over confident & a little bit like Darren Day in his hey-day & women, well let's just murmur the name Jordan.

To give credit where credit's due, I did find some rather useful advice that I would recommend. These include, 'Spread the word' by letting people know that you are single, 'Ditch the shopping list' meaning try and not be so fussy, and also, my favourite, 'Try Finite dating' whereby you give an hour of your time to men or women that you would usually say 'no' to or overlook. How else do you think Julia Roberts met and married Lyle Lovett?

Make 2010 and you're dating life work for you. Employing a wonderful football term (apt after talking about 90 mins I think), if you keep getting yourself into the right positions, eventually you will score. Start worrying when you aren't getting in the right positions.

Dating Diaries - Stigma, what stigma?

2009-12-16T17:20:59Z

This is the 21st century, so act like it! The days when the only people using online dating were the cast of 'Thriller' are long gone.

It is as normal, and more efficient than the traditional romantic way the youth of today meet each other, getting Legless, shouting at the opposite sex over the loud overtones of some funky house 'classic' tune bordering on the wrong side of noise polution across a dingy club!!! Lovely..........

The question came to me some months ago, when, rather helpfully, my washing machine decided enough was enough, and in a fit of rage decided to resign from his self-employmed status and retire. In the process of searching, researching, reviewing and eventually replacing this work shy, now defunct machine, it dawned upon me that every aspect of your personal and professional life is becoming virtual, and more thereby more accessible to people and persons that you might have never had the opportunity to meet without the world wide web. Why not take advantage of this and extend it to your search for love and Romance?

Encouragingly, statisticians can confirm this shift in opinion, with research showing the 74% of the UK single population see online dating as a perfectly 'normal' dating procedure.

]]> Further encouraging is the fact that many more people 'date online' without even realising it. What is he talking about I hear you say, and at this point I whisper one word, 'Facebook'.

200 million people are now on Facebook, its growth fuelled by a curiousity & hunger to stay in touch with people who you wouldn't even talk to if you happen to be stuck in the same toilet cubicle! This hunger is only satisfied by a quick click & flick (try saying that again) through a recent photo album of friends, aquaintances, and even ex's.

The inclusion of the 'poke' option is something I find fascinating, and how people use this to flirt. A quick 'poke' to alert the other person of your interest, a poke back if he/she is interested, and just like that a relationship has begun based on 'poking', brilliant!

The other, slightly better option of sending a message to your impending target is another type of 'flirting'. I believe this usually starts with 'I think I've seen you around town' or 'I love your profile pic' and if all goes well, you are conversing with this person based around a quick look at their profile, likes, dislikes, and their most recent holiday photo album (a not-to-be named male friend assured me that this is the best one to look at so you get a more 'rounded' idea of who it is you want to communicate with, although I'm not to sure that this was his real reason?)

Thankfully the online dating stigma is rapidly subsiding, with people finally admitting that it is just another way of meeting people, and that, given the chance, it really does work.

Leaving on a Jerry Maguire-esque conclusion of 'Alex's final thought', I bring you a sound bit of dating advice, so please take note.

Please, under absolutely no circumstances, and I mean zero, log onto Facebook after a night out thinking it to be a good idea, as quite simply, it isn't and you will regret it! You have been told.

Dating Diaries: Why being single is a good thing.

2009-12-16T16:41:30Z

Dating, flirting, romance, love, flowers, puppies and everything else that are soft, fluffy and happy are all deemed to be the ingredients of a content person and a thriving relationship. Dating Diaries wants to look at why being single can be a good thing, as long as its not for long.

Newly converted 'couples' wear this feeling like it's the invisible cloak straight from Harry Potter's wardrobe. However, unlike Harry's cloak, it's not from Hogwarts, doesn't possess invisible qualities, and does not shield the outside world from this soft, cocoon like trance that forms from the debris of a newly formed or happy relationship. Instead, it gives the rest of us a nauseating feeling and works in much the same way as a strong repellent.

When friends or acquaintances remark that they are having a great time being single, I digest the comments with a sprinkle (not quite a pinch) of salt. They have no reason to lie, and I have no reason to doubt, but like Cliff Richard throughout the latter half of the 21st century, annoyingly, the thought stays with you.

Dating diaries is a firm advocate of fun, frolics, love, romance and two people enjoying each others company, I should not be promoting the single life; however, in this instance I am altering my opinion.

A couple of recent observations forced me into this change.dating diaries

]]> Believe it or not, Christmas is almost upon us, and this means that the party season is right around the corner. After writing a recent article surrounding the office Christmas party, and whom one should bring if no significant other exists, suddenly I realised that this period is absolutely marvellous being single! A multitude of parties to attend, strangers to meet and all wonderfully saturated with a large dollop of Christmas spirit. These holidays is a time of sharing, and why not share yourself to the best you can? Wallowing like a soggy, submerged, forgotten mince pie won't help your cause, so celebrate your singleton status!

The other example originates from a recent evening out.

Enjoying myself and behaving responsibly in equal measure (I was responsible for getting everyone a taxi into town, so job done circa 9pm!) I happened to notice that a particularly sweet, happy, and overall jovial friend, suddenly engulfed and possessed by a fit of tears. My friend, grabbing onto a fleeting and clearly lost strand of reception in the club, managed to listen to a recent voicemail left by her 'significant other'. The contents of this message are unimportant, however, the purpose of this nasty, spiteful message, hammered home & succeeded in ruining her evening...

The familiar pantomime then resumed, played out hundreds of times previously, with various clichés of, 'your too good for him', ebbing and flowing that for some reason reminded me of a West end adaptation of what Brighton seafront would sound like if waves could talk.

This scenario confirmed the feeling that this particular friend was so unhappy in this relationship, that Harry's cloak no longer had invisible qualities, but had actually turned into a straight jacket, and instead of providing a snug little nest, was actually suffocating her.

It is for the above two reasons, that this week, my feeling and thoughts are simple, if it no longer fits, or feels uncomfortable, then why not disregard it or look around for a new one? If your not sure, then keep the label just in case, but either way, if something is not making you happy, then address it, and quickly. Why waste your time?