7 Types Of Dating – Different Ways To Meet Your New Match
Medically Reviewed By Dawn Brown, LPCDating can feel overwhelming at times, especially if it has been awhile since you’ve pursued a romantic relationship. Whether you are just getting out of a relationship, want to have a casual romance, or are ready to settle down longterm, you might be looking for the best ways to meet a new match. There are many different options when it comes to meeting a potential partner, and each method can lead to good results. Which method you choose will depend on your personal preferences, location, and comfort level. To help you get back into the dating scene, take a look at the following seven types of dating to see what your options are.
- Online Dating
Online dating sites and apps can be a great way to build a connection with someone and get to know them through messages before you even go on your first date. Dating apps can be incredibly convenient to use because you have the potential to meet someone anytime and anywhere, as long as you have a free minute and an internet connection. However, it’s important to use caution when meeting individuals through dating apps and sites. You can’t always be sure who is on the other end of the screen, and there are some dishonest people who try to scam others through dating websites or apps using fake photos. However, with a little caution and some preventative measures, it is possible to protect yourself and enjoy all the benefits of online dating. Below are some online dating tips to keep you safe.
- If you match with someone on a dating app, it may be a good idea to ask for links to their other social media platforms. This way, you can learn a bit more about them and be sure they are who they say they are.
- Consider chatting via video call before meeting in person so you can further confirm their identity (and potentially see how well you get along).
- When you decide to meet for the first time, choosea public place and ensure you have safe transportation to and from the date.
- Prior to your date, tell a close friend or family member where you will be and when.
- Double Dates
Double dating with friends can be a great way to potentially meet someone new. Double dating involves two couples going out together for dinner or to enjoy a fun activity. If you have a friend who is in a relationship, you can see if they or their significant other have a friend you may potentially match well with. If you get nervous about dates or tend to be shy, having another couple there, especially friends, can be a great buffer while meeting someone new.
- Group Dates
Group dates are similar to double dates, except with more couples or singles. In a group date scenario, a group of people will hang out somewhere and get to know each other. Some people may feel more comfortable about being able to go on a date with a friend by their side.
Having friends around on a date is often helpful as they can play a support role while you’re trying to connect with someone you may be interested in. If you happen to hit it off with one of the people on the group date, then you can exchange contact informationand potentially go out on a one-on-one date sometime.
- Speed Dating
Speed dating events are a fun way to meet a lot of different people in a short period of time. The concept of a speed date is that you will have several little dates consecutively that last only a few minutes each. You might get five or ten minutes with one person, then a buzzer will sound indicating that the time is up, and you’ll get the chance to chat with another person. If you like the idea of meeting many potential matches in one night, then speed dating may be quite appealing and could increase your odds of meeting someone you’d like to have a longer date with.
If you want to be successful when speed dating, it will likely be beneficial to make the most of the time you’re given and try to get to know someone as much as you can in the allotted time. Some people feel like this is too much pressure and don’t enjoy the structure of this type of dating. It’s up to you to decide whether it’s right for you.
- Blind Dating
Blind dating is a type of dating where you will be going out with someone you don’t know yet. In fact, there's a chance you may not have even seen what they look like before the date; although, in this day and age, it’s likely you will have had at least a peek at one of their social media profiles.
Situations like this usually occur when two sets of friends try to set two people up that they think would be a good match. You might be told to wear a certain color and sit at a certain table at a restaurant to make you identifiable, or you could already know each other’s faces from pictures. For some people this may be an awkward form of dating,while others may find it exciting and mysterious.
- Casual Dating
Casual dating is a common form of dating for many people these days, whether they’re trying to figure out who they want to get involved with or are simply having a good time. This is a situation where you may be dating multiple people without anything ever being too serious. When you’re casually dating, you may not be committed to one person, and you’llprobably be free to see other people if you would like to.
Most relationships start casual and then transition into something serious as two people begin to bond. Casual dating may be a great way for an individual to make connections, have fun, or find someone they match well with.
Finding people for casual dating is pretty simple in today's world. Dating apps make finding others who are interested in casual relationships easy. You can search for other singles in your area and find people looking for the same thing you are. Many people even seek out relationships with others that are purely sexual.So, if you aren’t looking for true love, casual dating might be appealing to you.
- Serious/Exclusive Dating
Exclusive dating occurs when partners in a relationship decide to only date each other. It often involves a long-term commitment. This is the end goal for many people and frequently leads to more serious commitments like marriage. Some people may not enjoy casual dating and want to find a person they can be in a committed relationship with. Some people choose to only date exclusively.You should be sure that you’re ready for something a bit more serious before deciding to date exclusively.
Conclusion
If you are facing difficulties finding someone or challenges within a current relationship, you’re not alone. Therapy is an invaluable tool that can provide you with support and guidance on how to improve your relationships and overall well-being. ReGain is an online therapy platform specializing in relationships that’s both convenient and affordable. A licensed therapist can help you overcome any issues or concerns you may have with regard to your relationships and love life, all from the comfort of your home or wherever you have an internet connection. Reach out to start your journey to an improved relationship today. Read reviews below from individuals who experienced similar issues in their lives and were able to overcome them with the help of ReGain therapists.
Counselor Reviews
"My experience with Priscilla has been immensely helpful in better understanding myself and providing me with the tools to see my life and relationships with more clarity and compassion."
“Sessions with Natalie are very insightful and give practical advice on implementing new habits and changes. Be prepared to engage and be challenged to think in a different way. I know that my partner and I can already see improvements in our relationship and feel more positive about working through our issues together.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What are the 4 types of relationships?
There are many different types of relationships we may have throughout our lives, but the most common types are family relationships, friendships, romantic relationships, and business relationships. A family relationship is, of course, a connection with a family member. This could be a brother, sister, mother, father, grandparent, cousin, or any other member of your family. Oftentimes, family relationships are the first type of bond we experience, and we learn a lot from them that we can then take to our friendships and romantic relationships.
Another type of relationship is friendship. There are many common types of friendships, and they tend to come and go throughout your life. Friendships are typically built on shared values and interests. Friendships are important for a sense of belonging and as a part of your support system.
Romantic relationships are those that are usually formed between people who have a certain degree of romantic attraction to one another. They differ from friendships due to the elements of sexual intimacy and romance that typically aren’t present in a friendship.
Finally, business relationships include business partnerships, relationships with bosses or clients, and similar career-related associations. This could also cover relationships with coworkers, although coworkers can also move into the realm of friendship in some cases.
- What are the stages of dating?
There are four stages of dating and relationships thatmost couples go through.
- Introduction/Attraction– During this stage, you meetapotentialmatch, and everything is new and exciting. You might become curious about a relationship with this new individual, or you could simply beattracted to their looks and personality.
- Attention/Infatuation–In this stage, you may begin to develop stronger feelings for a potential partner. You might have started going on dates, introduced the person to your friends,and considered becoming exclusive.
- Coupling– This is often considered a make-or-break time in a relationship. During this stage, you may begin to deepen your connection with your partner and will likely become more comfortable being yourself around them. For the couples that choose to continue on through this stage, it offers a great opportunity to learn and grow together. At this point, some couples fall into a routine, and some may go through a rut. If that happens, it can help to try to find ways to keep things fresh and exciting.
- Commitment– This stage occurs when two individuals truly value one another and love each other through the ups and downs within their relationship. This is the point where the two partners have truly become a team. They have learned how to successfully coexist, and they have set a wonderful foundation of trust and loyalty.
- What is a toxic relationship?
A toxic relationshipis typically characterized by disrespect, a lack of support, and conflict; for at least one person, the relationship often leads to emotional and sometimes physical harm. There are multiple types of toxic relationships, and they’re not limited to romantic relationships. Any relationship can be toxic, whether with a family member, a friend, or a colleague.
If you or someone you know are experiencing abuse, reach out for help immediately. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE, and is available 24/7.
Some signs of a toxic relationship are belittling language, an unpredictable temper, forced guilt, and extreme jealousy and possessiveness.
- What kind of relationship is best?
When it comes to relationships, we all have different needs and personalities, so the type of relationship that’s best for one person isn’t necessarily best for everyone. However, it can easily be said that the best kind of relationship is a healthy one. A healthy relationship is based on trust and each partner encouraging the other’s growth and change. In a healthy relationship, partners have usually figured outhow to compromise and developed effective conflict resolution skills. Forgiveness and realistic expectations are also important parts of a healthy relationship.
