Dating cliche’s and what they really mean…
In our last post we spoke about avoiding using cliches when trying to escape the date from hell but what do those cliches really mean?
Whilst more and more people are turning to the internet to find love it makes composing a profile where you sound interesting and unique a lot harder.
After all, you only have limited space to sell yourself and those who spend enough time online soon become familiar with a few phrases…
Here are just a few to look out for and what they really mean.
I’m new to this, so here goes…
So the user is basically telling you in advance how uncomfortable they feel with online dating. When people are in a setting where they feel there’s some stigma, they like to talk as if they are unfamiliar with it.
I like going out and staying in…
This user is trying to please everyone. Or as serial online dater Willard Foxton puts it… “In other words, you like existing.” This is a big no, no when it comes to finding your perfect match, be honest tell the truth about what you really like to do.
I’m here for some good banter
They are saying they don’t need anything deep and that they’re having fun.
My friends say I’m…
Lists of descriptors such as smart, attractive, romantic, thoughtful, trustworthy, sexy, passionate, fearless, honest or friendly are empty adjectives. Also starting a sentence a phrase such as “my friends say” shows that you’re not that confident within yourself and not willing to blow your own trumpet.
I like walks in the park, watching movies and going to the pub on Sunday for roast dinner
Basically this is someone describing regular weekend activities and just showing that they’re just a regular person. There’s no imagination in comments like this as it’s what almost everyone likes to do.
My life is great. I just need someone to share it with.
This is usually signalling that the person isn’t desperate, they’re also not needy or lonely instead they’re just looking for their life to be enhanced by that certain someone.
I like to stay in with a glass of wine and a movie…
You may also find that “I like to get cosy in front of the fire” is included in this person’s profile. The person who uses this is describing a scene from a film, a romantic notion that rarely matches reality.
Genuine girl seeking genuine guy…
Authenticity is a real buzz word at the moment but trying to come across as authentic can often appear contrived. It’s as though you’re saying ‘I’m in this fake setting, but I’m telling you I’m genuine even though I’m doing this thing that feels weird’.
I enjoy long walks on the beach at sunset
Doesn’t everyone? Again, like the glass of wine and a movie, this is picking up on an unrealistic romantic notion that has been picked up from watching too many chick flicks. Seriously, if you have this in your profile, when was the last time you walked along the beach at sunset? Putting it on your profile just makes it look like you’ve copied and read every other profile on the internet.
I like to travel
The user is usually trying to sound adventurous and fun but they actually just sound like every other profile. People bring this up time and again because talking about travel is also a good way to establish common interests.
Don’t get in contact if you don’t know the difference between “your” and “you’re”
Grammar fanatics are over-represented on some online dating sites. But it’s not advisable to advertise just how important apostrophe usage is to you. OK so you don’t like txt-spk but don’t come across as aggressive and picky before you even get your first message.
We’ll tell people we met in a bar
If you write this then it just shows that you’re planning on being dishonest and if you’re starting a relationship off with dishonesty as its central core then it’s not a good sign.
What dating cliches do you dislike?
