First dates are always cause for excitement. Mostly, that’s a good thing: those first-date butterflies are an amazing feeling and they let you know that you are preparing for something special. On the other hand, you don’t want to be too nervous before a first date, either.

The best way to play down first-date nerves is perfect preparation. And what better way to prepare than finding out what singles consider good dating etiquette? We asked singles looking for a date through be2 and found out…

The 4 top rules of dating etiquette

1. Dating Etiquette Rule: Let the man pay
   There are situations where singles should go with the times and there are situations where it pays to be old fashioned. First dates obviously count as the latter. Funnily, men are more willing to pay than women women are prepared to accept: 30% of the male singles who took part in the survey think the man should pay on a first date, while only 10% of single women feel the same. 56% of women would insist on splitting the bill. The most diplomatic (and romantic) solution to this dilemma is for the man to pay and tell the woman that she can pay next time. This avoids the awkward situation of splitting the bill and also leaves a nice opening for the next date. Amazingly, under 25s are the most old-fashioned in when it comes to splitting the bill on a first date: they are almost twice as likely to let that the man pay for the date.
2. Dating Etiquette Rule: Be fashionably late
   Obviously, standing someone up on a first date is a massive no-go. But that doesn’t mean you have to be overly punctual either. Over 80% of all singles in the survey would not mind their date being late for their first date. In fact, 69% would just be relieved they had shown up at all! However, watch out for different attitudes according to age groups: over 55s are twice as likely to complain if a date is late for a first date.
3. Dating Etiquette Rule: Dress appropriately
   What to wear on a first date depends on many things, mainly on the time and location. We have given advice on what to wear on a first date before. The main thing to keep in mind is that your outfit matters – and that you are unlikely to find out from your date whether or not they actually like your choice of clothing. 15% of singles would say something if they didn’t like what someone was wearing on a first date.
4. Dating Etiquette Rule: Be flexible
   Remember that a first date is about getting to know someone in a relaxed atmosphere. You don’t want to force yourself to do something you don’t feel like doing, but that doesn’t mean everything has to go your way. Most singles are quite happy to go along with a suggestion, even if it isn’t exactly what they would have chosen to do. Nearly three quarters of single women would go to a film they didn’t like, as well as more than half of the men who responded. Overall women proved to have the more accommodating attitudes than men, but under 25s would be less willing to see a film they didn’t like.

>>>Haven’t found your partner for that special date yet? Brush up on your dating etiquette here and then find your date at be2!

In the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, at be2, we work even harder to find your perfect match. If you are single and have a Valentine’s Day date or if you are in a relationship and planning a romantic Valentine’s Day with your partner, you might still be looking for good Valentine’s day ideas. As „professional matchmakers“, the be2 team know a lot about love, relationships and romance, so we decided to ask around the office:

„What advice can you give singles or people in a relationship for Valentine’s day? Do you have any tips for a romantic Valentine’s day?”

Here, the be2 team share their best Valentine’s day ideas.

• Fiona’s Valentine’s day ideas:
  “I think the most important thing to keep in mind when you are planning Valentine’s Day is that you want to make the person you love feel special. Try to think of a gift that is really personal instead of just buying a standard box of chocolates and a bunch of roses. Take your Valentine out to a place that has a special meaning for both of you, like the place where you had our first date. And, most importantly, make them feel special by spending quality time together, just the two of you! After all, that’s one thing that most couples simply don’t have often enough.”
  - Fiona, UK blog editor
• Fabien’s Valentine’s day ideas:“I think a cool idea is to give a hot stone massag. It is really enjoyable, and your date will be relaxed. If you go to a quiet, cosy bar afterwards, you’ll make a great impression, and your Valentine’s Day will be a total success”
  - Fabien, Developer at be2.
• Annelise’s Valentine’s day ideas:
  “When I was young (teenage years) I liked Valentine’s day a lot. Most of the time I was curious what I would get for that day. A card, a teddy bear or flowers? Now, years and years later, being married and having a child, I approach differently to Valentine’s day. I do not like it as much as before, as I think that people who love each other should express their love by organizing romantic dinners or giving flowers and gifts not only on Valentine’s day, but also on any other day of the year! Anyway, for me the most romantic (Valentine’s) day would be me and my husband sitting on a blanket on the beach with Champagne and chocolates on a secluded Island. I hope my husband will be reading this post as well!”
  - Annelise, Dutch Customer Care



• Jasmin’s Valentine’s day ideas:
  “Of course for Valentine’s Day it does not matter what you do or where you go, as long as the two of you are together. However, everyone wants this day to be extra special. In my opinion the perfect Valentine’s date would be a cruise along a river or lake, where you can watch the sunset after a romantic dinner.”
  - Jasmin, Online Marketing Germany
• Victor’s Valentine’s day ideas:
  “The ideal tip is to cook by yourself. Invite your date, and cook. Alone, together, as long as you can make it cosy, you’ll have a great success. No need to make the food perfect, but it’s the love you put in it that’s important. And that is a great Valentine’s idea!»
  -Victor, French blog editor

>>> Ready to find your Valentine? The best Valentine’s day idea of all is to find the right person to spend it with on be2!

Strictly speaking, there is no right time to ask for a phone number. There is also no wrong time to ask for a phone number. There is only the time that is right for you and the person you are online dating. However, when we asked the members of online dating site be2, their answers were surprisingly clear – and they might help you find the right time to ask for a phone number when you’re online dating:

• You don’t have to wait too long to ask for a phone number Nearly ¼ of the singles online dating through be2 are happy to give out their phone number after exchanging only one or two messages. Over 50% are ready after two or three messages.
• Men are more eager to swap numbers 67.5% of male singles give out their number after two or three messages or less. Single women say they would wait considerably longer.
• Young singles are most willing to swap numbers early Younger Singles tend to be more willing to give out their phone numbers. About 60% of singles 35 and under would give out their number after two or three messages or less, while singles 36 to 55 are most cautious (only 51.5% are willing to give out their number so early).

Online dating tip: Don’t ask for a phone number too early! The survey also suggests that those who have been with be2 the longest are often the people who are most impatient to swap numbers, so maybe other singles perceive them as too pushy or feel that they are not being given enough time to make a decision.

The ideal time to ask for a phone number? After 4 messages! Over 40% of singles surveyed say they would wait to exchange 4 messages with an online dating partner before giving out their phone number. Many success stories confirm that this is indeed the perfect length of time to wait – and the right time to ask for a phone number.

The internet is full of stories about online dating fraud. Of course, online dating fraud is a real issue and the internet is a great place for the victims of online dating fraud to exchange information. But quite often the alleged online dating fraud can be explained in less dramatic terms.

The most common cases of online dating fraud found on the internet:

1. “Sites full of fake profiles and pictures that all look the same”
We have written about the very real threat posed by fake profiles and how to tell a fake profile from a real one, before. However, not every profile without a picture is a fake profile. After completing the personality test, which every serious online dating site requires, members have the option to upload a profile picture. However, many members skip this step because they are curious about their partner recommendations. To fill the gap, most online dating sites use placeholders.
Members are reminded and encouraged to add a profile picture at various points, but obviously, nobody can be forced to upload a picture. No online dating company wants profiles without a picture that look like fake profiles and have very low success rates.

2. “The cost of online dating is unclear”
Before payment, the cost of an online dating membership should be made perfectly clear. be2’s Premium Membership is priced according to the duration of the membership. One click on the Info-Button with the little “i“ gives you all the information you need. The terms and conditions state the details and payment options. Customers who complain that the cost was unclear simply didn’t read all the information that was available.

3. “I had no idea that my Premium Membership would be extended automatically“
The same page that contains all the details regarding cost, also explicity states that Premium Memberships are extended automatically until the membership is cancelled. Again, the Info-Button provides additional information. Customers are also informed through the terms and conditions and in bills. The duration of a Premium Membership is stated in your profil under “My Profile>Settings“. All it takes is a timely cancellation to prevent an automatic renewal.

4. “I am not receiving replies, because other members didn’t pay”
Not all members opt for a Premium Membership. Nevertheless, even non Premium Members get a chance to use the full service free of charge every now and again. We often receive love stories from couples, despite the fact that one of them was not a Premium Member.

5. “Cancellation is complicated”
Cancellation of a be2 Premium Membership is actually quite simple, as long as our customer service receives your cancellation on time.
We have already written about the be2 cancellation options.

If you are still certain that you are dealing with online dating fraud, please contact our customer service:
be2’s customer service can help you make the most of your Premium Membership, they can tell you about your cancellation options or they can help you detect a fake profile.

Online dating sites try to fulfil the hopes, dreams and wishes of singles. Which, ideally, is a beautiful thing. But unfortunately, the very fact that online dating isn’t all about rational decision-making, has given rise to dating scams. After all, love is blind and dating scammers know how to use that blindness to their best advantage.

If you are a be2 member, you are safer from dating scams than on some other, especially free, dating websites. be2 is serious matchmaker and most members are looking for a long-term, fulfilling relationship – but unfortunately, not all of them. The first thing that deters dating scammers from be2 is the elaborate personality test. But nevertheless, some scammers still register with be2, in order to trick hopeful singles out of their money. We warn our members about the dangers of dating scams, because without their help, we can’t catch all the scammers.

In most cases, the be2 customer service can identify and block scam profiles within 24 hours, based on certain criteria that mark those profiles out as fake. Other members are informed of the deletion if and when they try to contact a fake profile that appeared in their partner list. Should you ever suspect that a profile might be fake, please report it to customer service, who will do a thorough check to determine whether it is a dating scam.

How do you recognise a dating scam?
1. If a fake profile only contains one profile picture, which is unrealistically perfect, then it might be a photograph downloaded from the internet. Ask to see more pictures of the person, if you are unsure.
2. When a very young women contacts an older man, she often harbours financial interests. remain cautious until you are convinced that this is not the case.
3. When a person you know only from the internet asks you for money, something is definitely dodgy about that person. Scammers usually invent stories that make you feel sorry for them, about a sick relative or pet. Alternatively, scammers often say they need money to travel to your home town for a first date.
4. Watch out for strange phone numbers – they could be expensive hotlines – and P.O. Box addresses that don’t give a street name. Two sings that the scammer wants to disappear without a trace.
5. Always remember: if something is too good to be true, it probably isn’t good or true!

How to protect yourself from dating scams:
1. Don’t communicate your contact details too soon. At be2 your name, your address and other personal details remain hidden for as long as you wish.
2. Be cautious when talking about your job, family or home. Don’t give too many details and remain wary if you are asked for them.
3. Never, ever transfer money, no matter how convincing the story sounds!
4. Report suspicious profiles to our be2 customer service, explaining why you suspect a dating scam.

The times have changed, the internet is part of our daily life and we have all adapted to this reality, right? Most people think nothing of ordering clothes, books or even food on the internet. We book flights, cinema tickets and make dinner reservations online and we use the web to stay in touch with or even to find new friends. In short: there is no area of our lives that remains unchanged by the innovations of the online age. And because love is as much a part of our lives as all the other things listed here, our dating habits have changed, too.

Many single men and single women are searching online for the love of their life. Obviously there are two ways of looking at the internet dating development. People who view internet dating with suspicion might say that internet dating is a form of escapism, where singles fall in love with a fantasy online, rather than getting out there and meeting real people. Others maintain, despite all evidence to the contrary, that singles on internet dating sites or matchmaking sites are desperate and are only searching online because they can’t find anyone in the offline world.

Anyone who has some experience with successful internet dating will know how far from the truth that assumption is. We know as a fact that internet dating works, that it has made many people very happy and that it has lost much of its stigma, so the people searching for love online nowadays are a cross-section of society, no better or worse than singles you meet in a pub, at work or anywhere else.

The key to successful internet dating is to be active:

- Singles should exchange as many messages as possible, write a lot, about anything and everything they want.
- Be yourself! It is the only way you will find the right partner who really is a perfect match. You must be honest and open to experience successful internet dating.
- Speak about topics that really interest you, so you can find out what you and your partner have in common.
- Always provide more than just one photo. As many pictures as possible help you present yourself in the best light.
- Remain cautious at the beginning of the internet dating process. Do not publish your telephone numbers, address or working place in your profile. Instead, share your contact information with individual partners when you feel you are ready to get to know them in person.
- Successful internet dating, of course, eventually leads to an offline date. When scheduling the first date, choose a public space, tell a friend were you’ll be and have a back-up plan in case the date doesn’t go as planned.
- Avoid talking about sex on a first date. Former relationships and personal problems are also taboo topics. You’ll have plenty of time to talk about those when you know each other better.
- Be patient! You might not find the love of your life immediately, but there are many singles looking for love online and you will get your chance if you stick to our tips for successful internet dating!

>>>See for yourself how easy internet dating can be – join 20 Million singles who are already looking for love at be2;)

We regularly post lists of dating and relationship advice, full of handy tips and ideas to help you find a relationship, survive a first date or keep your relationship happy. Your profile picture is incredibly important for successful online dating, so we put together these tips for a good online dating photo. Here are our tips for women and men on the best online dating profile picture:

ADVICE FOR YOUR DATING PROFILE PICTURE: 7 tips for the best photo

• Appear as you are – and not as you’d like to be seen

• A photo that shows your face clearly, supplemented by a full-body photo, gives your dating partner a good over-all impression of you.
• Tips for women: Men are turned off by pets! Therefore, keep them away from the camera.

• Tips for men: Women want to see your eyes, so take off those sunglasses!

• Tips for women: Smile and flirt to the camera, but not to somebody outside the picture!

• Tips for men: Bring forth your mystical, macho look. Don’t necessarily look directly into the camera.

• For both genders, an appropriate amount of skin is a welcome feature on a dating portrait – but don’t put all your goods on display at once.

>> Upload your profile photo to your online dating profile and find love at be2.

What role does fashion play in your dating success? Is there such a thing as the ideal first date fashion? First date fashion for women in 2010 is becoming less influenced by the financial crisis: the look is chic and classical, but with a rising optimism in both colour choice as well as new, creative details added to an otherwise simple cut. Dating fashion follows its own rules:

1. First date fashion should always emphasize your strong points
• Women in tight t-shirts is always a hit – especially on those with trimmed torsos.
• Slender women can wear tight fit, while the chubbier should choose a baggier fashion.
• Women with feminine curves had better reveal their cleavage, whereas sporty girls could underline their behind instead.
• However, you should always remember that you are on a date, not as a sales show, so don’t put too much of your goods on display!

2. Choose a first date fashion style that suits not only your body, but also your personality
• If you’re funny and sparkling, show it in your colour choice!
• If you’d prefer to look serious, black and grey is always a classy and secure choice.
• Even if you are very fashion-forward, in the early dating phase with a new boyfriend, don’t wear anything too daring (but don’t dress too dull either).
• Avoid extremes such as a really girlie look or a totally strict business suit.

3. Be comfortable on a first date
• Choose clothes in which you feel comfortable, physically as well as psychologically.
• Hit an appropriate level between Chanel bags and Louboutin heels on the one hand and creased t-shirts and washed-out jeans on the other.
• Try to combine and create your own first date fashion, which could be both individual and feminine – something that underscores your personality and indicates who you are.

The goal for ideal first date fashion is: to be attractive, but feel at ease at the same time. And remember: On date night, charm and personal attraction will always be more important than first date fashion, but if you get your outfit right, you’re set up for success.

>>> Now that you know which first date fashion is right for you, it’s time to find the right guy to take you out on a date. Find him now at be2!

If you are unsure about your perfect first date fashion look and want to experiment before you pick an outfit, try creating a mood board on polyvore, like we did here…

Serious dating, no registration necessary? That sounds like a contradiction in terms! Serious dating sites like be2 usually don’t allow dating without registration, because serious daters want their privacy to be protected. A free registration, as offered by be2, ensures that only singles who are seriously looking for a partner get to see the profiles of be2’s members.

In future, that will change. be2 is going to offer serious dating, no registration necessary, while continuing to protect the privacy of its members* – thanks to Facebook Connect! If you already have a Facebook account you can now sign up for serious dating, no registration necessary. Curious? Here’s your step-by-step guide to serious dating, no registration necessary:

1. Are you logged in to your account? Then you’re good to go!

2. When you click the be2 Connect page you see the familiar blue button on the right hand side. Click on the button to open a small window.

3. Before you start dating, you need to tell us if you’re a man or a woman, looking for a man or woman. Choose your username and enter your email address.

4. As soon as you’ve filled in the details, you’re already part of be2’s serious dating – no registration needed. You are now a be2 member and can take the free personality test.

5. Another advantage: if you want to, you can use your profile picture as be2 dating picture to save yourself the extra upload.

>>> If you are not a be2 member yet, try using Connect now to test serious dating, no registration necessary.

*Of course that doesn’t mean that your be2 profile will no longer be protected. On the contrary: we are always working to improve the protection of our members’ privacy and data. No information from Facebook will be transferred to your be2 profile and your Facebook friends won’t have access to your be2 profile. Connect simply allows you to start dating without registration, everything else remains the same.

At first glance, Facebook and dating look like a great combination. You can connect with a person you met on a night out without all that pesky “can I get your number” business. If you know their name or if they are friends with your friends, you can look them up and send them a friend request. Once that is done, you can cyber-stalk away…

Facebook and dating combined let you find out a potential date’s likes and dislikes, see where they hang out, which parties and concerts they will be going to. You can even trace their Facebook and dating history by scanning their wall for posts from exes!

Once you are sure that Facebook has told you enough about this potential date, you can try dating for real. Then, when you get past the dating stage, Facebook allows you to make your relationship official, leaving little room for ambiguity. Once a person’s relationship status changes, you know where you stand.

BUT, you guessed it, there is a downside to Facebook and dating, which we is why we have compiled a few rules that any single should take to heart if they want to combine Facebook and dating.

Facebook and Dating: 5 relationship rules for social media

1. The first relationship rule is one that counts for any actions on Facebook, but especially for dating: If you wouldn’t tell your parents about it, don’t share it on Facebook. For most people (depending on your family) that means no drunk party pics, no lewd sex jokes, no embarrassing fan pages. If you stick to that rule, you don’t have to worry about a potential date being put off by your Facebook profile.
2. On a related note, don’t change your relationship status on Facebook until you are sure that you would be happy to introduce the person you are dating to your friends and family. Because essentially, that is what you are doing by changing your relationship status. Not only will your Facebook friends see your status change to “in a relationship”, they will see it change back to “single”, so don’t change it lightly!
3. Don’t forget that, while you are delighted that you can follow your date’s every move on Facebook, they can see everything you post, too! So don’t post anything that would provoke unnecessary jealousy, insecurity or even distrust. If in doubt, a selective privacy setting is your friend – use it!
4. Once the dating phase is over and you reach relationship status (on and off Facebook), you will sooner or later have a row. Such are the facts of life and you might as well hear it from us But you don’t need to make matters worse by dragging your relationship problems on to Facebook – thus involving all your friends in an essentially private matter. Keep your private issues private, anything else would be almost like having a full-blown row in the middle of your best friend’s birthday party.
5. Once a relationship ends, staying friends can be torture. If seeing updates from your ex (invariably positive, happy with a new partner, because obviously no ex wants to give you the satisfaction of seeing them unhappy after the breakup) is keeping you from moving on, then you need to de-friend your ex. Maybe write them a friendly message explaining why you feel it is better for both of you to go your separate – Facebook and dating – ways in future, then click “remove from friends” and move on!

We still think this great song, in which a girl tells her ex, who wants to be her friend on Facebook, “are you f****** kidding me?” hits the nail on the head: Facebook and dating may sound like a great idea, but you need to set up certain boundaries to avoid getting hurt.

The main problem with Facebook and dating is that Facebook is not a dating website. Dating was never the main goal and it is not what most people use Facebook for. Hence, when you start to mix Facebook and dating, things can get messy. If you want to stay on the safe side, keep Facebook and dating separate and use a real online dating website to find a new relationship. It may seem like extra hassle, setting up another profile, checking messages and uploading pictures to another site, but you will avoid the pitfalls of Facebook and dating, as illustrated above!

>>>be2 gives you all the dating opportunities, without the risk of getting it wrong.
You won’t even need our 5 relationship rules for Facebook and dating