Valentine's Day Guide to Finding a Dating Service

Is Cupid’s aim a bit off for you?  Thinking about turning to a dating service to redirect Cupid’s arrow in time for Valentine’s Day?

It’s Just Lunch, Vancouver’s premier matchmaking service, and director Jacquie Brownridge are offering tips for singles looking for a dating service.

Before You Start Your Search

Contemplating getting into the dating scene?  There are a few things a person should consider before beginning the search for a dating service.

• Know What You Want From a Dating Service
  Most dating services have the same goal – to get singles in touch with one another.  From speed dating to matchmaking, each service has its own unique spin or niche market.  Make sure you know the type of person you are searching for and find the service that fulfils your requirements
• Do Your Homework
  Do a little research before signing up or posting a profile.  The best way to learn more about a company is to read their privacy policy and “About Us” sections of their websites. 
• Dating Frame of Mind
  No matter the type or organization, dating is an investment of your time, energy and emotions.  Take stock of your life and what you have going on before committing.

Before You Join A Dating Service

You’ve narrowed down your options and selected the agency that will fit your dating needs.   The following is a list of questions you should ask ANY dating service before signing on the dotted-line:

• How long have you been in business? 
• What is your track record?  How do you define success? 
• Do you have special training? Qualifications? Awards?
• How many active members?
• What is the average age of your members? Ratio between men and women?
• If you live outside the metro area, ask how many members live in your area. 
• How do they select dates? 
• Ask the agency to put in writing the minimum number of introductions you will receive.  
• Ask the price before you attend an interview.

Dating 2.0: Matchmaking with a Modern Twist
It's Just Lunch specializes in matching busy professionals who would love to date but barely have the time for dinner -- let alone browsing online profiles, cruising the bars or enduring yet another blind date.

It's Just Lunch, with over 20 years of service and over 100 locations, minimizes the stress and maximizes the efficiency of dating by sending single professionals on casual, no-pressure dates over lunch, brunch or drinks after work.

It’s Private:  We respect your personal life.  You choose when you are ready to reveal your personal information to your date.  There are no online profiles and all of your information remains confidential.

It’s Real: IJL believes real chemistry happens face-to-face.  From the interview to the date, you will be meeting real people.  With IJL, you are guaranteed to go out on real dates with real people. 

It’s Personal: Our matches are selected by hand, not by a computer.  IJL’s award-winning matchmakers get to know their clients personally so they can make informed, intuitive matches.   We also feature relationship coaching and date feedback.

It’s Convenient:  We arrange a casual lunch or drinks after work that fits into both of your schedules.  We even choose the restaurant you’ll both enjoy and make the reservation.

It’s Flexible: For the busy executives who spend time in both Toronto and Vancouver, It’s Just Lunch offers a dual-membership for both regions.

It’s Time:   The only thing you have to lose is your single life. 

It’s Just Lunch is dating simplified.  We take care of the stressful, annoying and time-consuming parts of dating -- leaving the fun parts for you.

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20 Years of First Dates – Part 3: First Date Tips for Women. Kindness is Key

Magazines and advice columns often say being standoffish or playing “hard-to-get” is an attractive quality in women that men notice. We’re going to debunk that theory. If you’re on a first date, don’t play coy, ladies. This is a chance to get to know someone. You’ve agreed to go on a date with a guy; be kind and approachable and you’ll radiate attractiveness.

1. Dress for Success: Give a guy an opportunity to use those compliments he has saved up for you and dress like you’re interested, whether it’s an intimate dinner date or a casual walk in the park. Style points count toward chemistry.   It's Just Lunch Toronto's matchmaker Laila shares tips on  what to wear on the first date that will maximize your wardrobe and flatter your figure. Click here.   
2. Be On Time: While you really shouldn’t be late for anything, being late for a first date can be a mood-killer for men. Trust us.
3. Kindness is Key: Whether it’s directed toward your date or toward the wait staff, 34% of singles mentioned kindness as the most important character trait in a partner.
4. Avoid Negativity: Leave unflattering remarks about your ex-boyfriend, your boss, your family at the door. And avoid self-deprecation too.  Men appreciate a positive attitude. 
5. Be Light and Playful: While going on a first date might often feel like a job interview, there isn’t any reason to make it stay that way. Create banter and levity and your date will appreciate it and respond. You’re meeting someone new—enjoy yourself!
6. Make Eye Contact: See #9 in the men’s first date tips section below; replace “her” with “him” and “she’ll” with “he’ll.”
7. Smile: It’s not surprising that in our It’s Just Lunch survey, well over half of singles polled said a simple smile is the most attractive physical feature a date can flash. Use it.
8. Pay Him a Compliment: While he’s trying to make you feel comfortable and at ease, try and return the favor too. It’s all part of chemistry-creation.
9. Avoid Political Posturing: Intellectual conversation is stimulating as well as sexy, but leave strong opinions at the door. You’re on a date; not at a debate.
10. Show a Different Side: If you show a softer side, it makes it easier for your date to find common ground with you. Relax and be open toward him. You’ll develop a better connectionr that way.

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20 Years of First Dates – Part 3: First Date Tips for Men

From first impressions, to chemistry and wordplay, there are a lot of little things a person can do to attract the opposite sex on a first date; and most of these can be applied to both sexes. But are there some that may only apply to men or women exclusively? Of course, and that’s why in our It’s Just Lunch Dating Survey, we took a look at the top behaviors that both men and women expect on a first date.  For the men…

 Men: Chivalry Isn’t Dead
 Trends and attitudes toward the sexes may come and go, but one thing is for certain, gentlemen: chivalry never goes out of style. Treat your date well, and you’re well on your way to landing a second date. Treat her more like your college bud and, well, don’t expect her to sit by the phone waiting for your call.

1. Smile:  When your date arrives and you make eye contact with her, smile! It’s such a simple tip, but it’s an immediate way to create chemistry, (which we’ll talk about in part 4.)
2. Say Something: Great conversation and wordplay leads to attraction. Be ready with things to talk about, even do your homework and find out what she’s interested in, but most importantly listen to what she has to say too.
3. Straighten Up: Your body language tells a lot about whether or not you’re interested in someone. Standoffish, slouchy behavior isn’t attractive. Leaning toward your partner and using eye contact, however, is attractive.
4. Get There 5 Minutes Before She Does: Unless it’s Carmageddon on the 405, there isn’t much of an excuse to be late these days. Use Google Maps and don’t be late. She’ll appreciate the fact that you arrived early.
5. Treat Her Well: Remember we were talking about the little things? This means holding doors, allowing her to sit first, etc. In fact, make it an everyday habit and you’ll see it pay dividends.
6. Treat Others With Respect: In our It’s Just Lunch survey, the biggest thing women mentioned they noticed about their date is how he treats others. Treat others with respect, and your date will notice… and approve.
7. Compliment Her: No need to quote Shakespeare; but a few positive comments will make her feel comfortable
8. Confidence is King: You might normally think, “Will she like me?” on a first date. Turn it around and ask yourself: “Will I like her?”
9. Make Eye Contact: If you’re truly paying attention to her, she’ll notice if you make eye contact. If you don’t, she’ll think you’re bored or disinterested.
10. Make Her Laugh: You don’t need to act like a stand-up comedian, but open up the creative side of your brain and make her laugh. She’ll feel more comfortable with you after that.

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