It's Just Lunch :: The Dating Tips Blog

A Day in the Life of a Matchmaker

Ever wonder what professional matchmaking is like?

Google Glasses for Dating Singles

Would you think twice before going on a first date with someone knowing they were wearing a pair of Google glasses? Maybe you should watch this short first date video caputred by a guy wearing Goolge glasses. He builds instant rapport with his date by using the technology to search for her online and find some common ground, in this case, dogs. It definitely helps him get the conversation going. Before you know it, he's talking about Downtown Abbey while looking it up on IMDb. But the date is suddently cut short from intel received by an unlikely source. Is this type of technology in dating a huge benefit for professional singles or a huge distraction?

Online Dating Tips From a Personal Matchmaker

Did you know that nearly 1 out of 4 couples meet online? So we're giving you tips from It's Just matchmaker Emily Fry on how to avoid the pitfalls of online dating.

When browsing through profiles be sure to watch out for what Fry calls "yellow" flags, things that might not necessarily be a red flag but still make you pause. "Take those, put them in your back pocket, and see if anything develops from those," says the personal matchmaker. You also want to give the profiles a good read to ensure that the values they listed on the profile match the values of someone you would like to date. 

Be careful about what information you share with somone. There are something you just don't want to over share. "At It's Just Lunch, for instance, we don't give out last names, phone numbers or where anybody works," says Fry. If you're online dating, singles may want to follow suit by not giving out that information eiher. 

Exchange messages or talk on the phone before deciding to meet someone. It gives you a chance to see if this is someone you really want to meet live and in the flesh. However, Fry says that what you don't want to do is exchange emails for weeks, then talk on the phone for another month. "All you're doing at that point is developing an emotional connection to the person that may or may not be based in reality," she says. At the end of the day, you will never really be sure about what kind of chemistry you'll have until you meet in person. 

Meet in a public place once you do agree to meet someone for a first date, but don't do an activity or go to the movies. "Go some place where you can actually talk and get to know each other, just make it low-key," Fry recommends. "At It's Just Lunch, we tend to set up drinks after work during the week, or lunch or brunch on the weekends," she says. "That's what you should do for your online dating as well."

Always have a point of contact. Before you leave for your date, fill someone in on your date details--where you're going, who you're meeting, when you'll be home, etc. If a date is going really well and it progresses at a different menu, let that someone know about your slight change of plans. "It's just better to be safe than sorry, " says the matchmaker for professional singles.

Did you know that Wednesday is the #1 preferred day of the week for a first date? It's low-pressure and gives men a chance to ask women out for the weekend if their first date turns out great. When's the last time you've had a date?

Secrets of Successful Singles Working Less, Making More

Who hasn't wished for more hours in a day at some point or another? If you're a busy professional single, sometimes the 9-to-5 routine can become quite exhausting, especially for singles with long commutes to and from work. 

The Business Insider recently posted tips to help busy singles at least escape the 9-to-5 mindset if not the routine. One of the most important tips shared is making a change when something is not working. After all, if you keep doing something over and over again expecting different results, you might drive yourself mad so it's definitely important to change things up a little to see the change you wish to see. Translate that into your dating life, and the same can be said. If you're not happy with your current dating pool, for example, try splashing around in a new pool, so to speak. 

Another tip we really liked for making work days feel shorter is giving yourself less time to complete a certain talk. This one was particular interesting considering some professional singles like to plan ahead and budget more time to a particular task than needed as a time cushion in case there are any road blocks or complications. But Time Ferris, author of The 4-Hour Workweek recommends using Parkinson's Law, which dictates the perceived important of a given task relative to the budget time given for completion. 

If you are interested in learning more about shortening your work day, working less and making more, then read the rest of the article on Yahoo! or check out Time Ferri's 4-Hour Workweek book. 

In the meanwhile, follow It's Just Lunch on Facebook  to stay in the loop with future blog updates or submit a dating question we can blog about!

Matchmaking Dating Success Story: Jonathan & Elizabeth

Jonathan and Elizabeth were both professional singles in their early 30’s when they joined It’s Just Lunch. They both have busy careers (Elizabeth is a Pharmacist and Jonathan works in Commercial Real Estate), had never been married, didn’t have children and were meeting people through friends. Both were nervous to join and had never tried anything like this before.

Elizabeth ultimately decided to join It’s Just Lunch because she was sick of meeting “stupid guys” and really wanted to meet someone of substance to share a long-term relationship with. Jonathan wasn’t meeting the right type of girls and was annoyed with his friends harassing him when he was going to meet “the one”.

Jonathan and Elizabeth met at the Chop House in early September 2010 and hit it off; both found each other easy to talk to, attractive and they exchanged information, both hopeful for a 2nd date. They continued to date, put their membership on hold for each other a month later and continued to explore their relationship together. While making gingerbread cookies, Jonathan proposed on Christmas Eve 2011, and they were married this past October.

Both Jonathan and Elizabeth agreed their paths would never cross without It's Just Lunch and advised giving a matchmaking dating service a try. When asked about their favorite part about dating through It's Just Lunch, Elizabeth noted, “I met a lot of different men and had a great dating experience! Also, It's Just Lunch made it very easy and comfortable.” Jonathan agreed, “I liked how easy It's Just Lunch made it for me, they do everything for you!”

Gina, their matchmaker was thrilled to receive the wedding photos with a note of thanks for introducing them. She noted, “Elizabeth was a catch! She was intelligent, fun-loving and a beautiful girl that had a lot to offer. She needed a gentleman who would respect her family, friends and appreciate that she was driven in her career. Jonathan was just the type of man she desired on so many levels. He was serious about the process and he was looking for a respectful, family-oriented and educated woman to grow old with.”

Elizabeth was Jonathan’s second date with It’s Just Lunch, and Gina remembers the excitement of receiving their feedback from that first date; it was the perfect match!

A big “thank you” to Jonathan and Elizabeth for sharing their story and pictures with us. We wish you a lifetime of happiness and love, it was a pleasure working with the both of you!

New Reality Matchmaking Show Helps Desirable Singles 'Ready for Love'

Did you happen to catch the two-hour premier episode of NBC's new reality dating series "Ready for Love" produced by Eva Longoria ("Desperate Housewives") this past Tuesday on April 9, 2013?

Hosted by power couple Guiliana and Bill Rancic, Entertainment Weekly reports the show was a flop despite the 3.8 million viewers that tuned in after watching the "The Voice".

The premiere episode of the reality dating show followed Plain White T's band member Tim Lopez as three highly-acclaimed matchmakers introduced Lopez to four women hand-selected by each as a great match for the well-traveled rockstar searching for a loyal woman supportive of his music career. Of the four women selected as a match for Lopez, he must select only three to move forward in the dating competition before even laying eyes on them first, leaving a total of nine women to compete for his heart. 

After a group date and a few one-on-one dates, the matchmakers ultimately select one woman from each of their teams, for lack of a better word, to put on the chopping blog. After selecting to save one women from being sent home, he and the two remaining descend down to a secret garden where he must make his decision and send one women home, leaving eight remaining contestants. 

The great thing about this show is the importance of feedback in the matchmaking process. As part of the show, the matchmakers provided the women with helpful dating advice, all though it does make you wonder which woman each matchmaker is secretly rooting for, doesn't it? Getting feedback about your dating habits is more important then dating singles realize because it ultimately helps improve your dating experience drastically when you know why he doesn't call or why she may have ignored your call. Despite the importance of quality feedback as part of the general dating process, you want to take it with a grain of salt. At the end of the day, you never want to compromise who you are or your value no matter what anyone might tell you.

Despite the low approval rating of the show, there are two things professional singles can learn from watching the show. Always be yourself, and lose the checklist!

How do you know when someone is ready for love?

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