Tinder etiquette: Don't make these 5 mistakes on your next date

London blogger Lauren Crouch has had her fair share of disastrous Tinder dates. Here, she shares her top tips for impressing your next match
Blogger Lauren Crouch was left shocked when her disastrous date demanded she return £3.50 he spent on her coffee
Lauren Crouch16 November 2015

You’d probably like to think that a guide like this need not exist. After all, is it really that hard to be polite to a stranger (you’re attempting to seduce) for an hour or so without offending them?

If my chronicles of exceedingly bad dates are anything to go by, then it’s more difficult than you’d think, so avoid any dating faux pas by taking my advice. Please.

Don’t ask for your money back if the date doesn’t end your way

It seems simple enough, but that didn’t stop one man from demanding I refund him £3.50 for a coffee when I declined the offer of seeing him again.

Do offer to pay

Whether you’re a man or a woman, you should never expect to have your date pay for you, so always offer to cover your half of the bill. Equality is real and a lot of people are fighting for it, so don’t take us back to the dark ages.

Don’t make inappropriate propositions

At least try to be a gent/lady for the first date. I once met a guy for just a couple of drinks after work, and as we parted ways he asked me to have sex with him in Spitalfields market. Seriously.

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Do be careful with your phone

Texting on a date is a potential disaster waiting to happen. One man in particular sent a text to his mates telling him how the date was going….only he accidentally sent it to me: “Not too shabby, reckon I’ll have her back to mine within the hour. P.S. Great rack.” And they say romance is dead?

Don’t talk before you think

It’s always nice to receive compliments, however just take a breath and think before you blurt out something potentially offensive. After meeting a man last summer on the Southbank, his first words to me were: “Gosh you’re big aren’t you?”….ummmm. I’m hoping he meant tall, right?

Do be honest

Tinder has a reputation for being the home of casual hook-ups, but I disagree. Use Tinder for whatever you want; whether that’s searching for a long term relationship or indulging in your deepest and weirdest fantasies, just be up front about it from the start and you’re less likely to be disappointed later down the line. One dude’s opening message was asking me if I could pee on him, pretty bold move but I’m sure if he sent that to 100 women, at least one would say yes.

Do be honest... even if it's excruciatingly embarrassing
Rex

Don’t forget their name

The most simple of requests yet often overlooked. If their name slips your mind, this will come back to bite you in the ass as one guy found out when he was hastily trying to undress me despite my protests. “Fine” I said, “I’ll have sex with you, just tell me one thing….what’s my name?” The look on his face said it all.

Do have a sense of humour

Dating can suck, and of course there are times when it feel like it’d be easier to just give up, but don’t let it get you down. Try and see any dating disasters as just a great story rather than a negative experience.

Don’t take rejection personally

Unfortunately, unless you’re lucky enough to fall in love with your first match, you’re likely to encounter rejection at one stage. Do not take this personally, and remember that you’ll probably have turned people down too. If someone doesn’t want to see you again it’s doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you, just that you’re not right for each other.

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