Blog Posts by HowAboutWe

by Scott Alden for HowAboutWe

There are about 96 million single people over the age of 18 in the US. 40 million of them date online. That's not quite half the unattached population, but it's safe to say that online daters are far from a fringe group. It's about time we stopped acting like they are.

Related: There Are 237 Reasons To Have Sex, Says Science

Dating online is nothing to be embarrassed about. It doesn't mean that you have failed at relationships in the "real world." It doesn't mean that you are hopeless. What it does mean is that, just like 40 million other Americans, you're taking charge of your love life.

Related: He Said/She Said - First Date Sex

Take a look at your online dating profile. Have you sheepishly indicated that you are "giving this online dating thing a try?" Have you felt the need to explain that "you wouldn't normally date online but, ______?" Delete those phrases. There's no need for them.

Just express yourself as clearly and

Read More »from Online Dating 101: No Shame In Your Game

by Scott Alden for HowAboutWe

It may come as a surprise (in fact, I know it will), but not every guy is looking to get laid on the first date. And, these guys know that women who aren't just interested in casual sex can sometimes be a little wary of suggestive date ideas. So, how do you say "Hey girl. I'm not just looking to bone you. I want to, like, get to know you and stuff?" (without actually saying that, I mean). Here are six date ideas that will make your pure intentions quite clear.

Related: 5 Perfectly Good Reasons You Might Be Single

1. "How about we... volunteer at a nursing home."

Hanging out with senior citizens rules. Members of the greatest generation have reached a point in their lives where they couldn't care less about what anyone thinks of them. It can be inspiring. Plus they have great stories and you're pretty much guaranteed to be told what a great couple you are like 80 times. It's like getting other people to do the flirting for you.

2. "How

Read More »from 6 Great Dates That Won't Necessarily Lead To The Bedroom

By Chiara Atik for HowAboutWe.com

If you're dating in 2011 (and, if not, can we borrow your time machine?), there's a good chance you Google your date before meeting him or her. Even if you don't, you should operate under the assumption that they will Google you. So, when's the last time you Googled yourself?

There are people who Google themselves with the same regularity that they brush their teeth, or check their email. Even if you aren't this self-obsessed, it's a good idea to Google yourself every once and a while, just to know what a potential date will see about you before ever meeting you.

Related: How To Pick People Up Via Facebook

Some things to look for:

1. Do You Share Names With A Mass Murderer/Rapist/Beauty Queen/Embezzler?
Of course you didn't commit fraud in 2006, robbing three orphanages of their funds. But if your date knows nothing about you other than your name, you might want to clear up any possible misconceptions.

2. Did You Ever Have A

Read More »from Online Dating 101: Google Yourself

by Scott Alden for HowAboutWe

When you're putting together your online dating profile, or messaging online, you're basically "pitching" yourself. This doesn't mean that you should stress too much about presenting yourself as the perfect guy/girl. It just means that apologizing for who you are and what you're like is neither necessary nor attractive.

Related: 5 Perfectly Good Reasons You Might Be Single

Being a bit playfully self-deprecating (ie. "I fall down on my face at least once a week," or "I'm the most awkward person in the universe") can be fine in person, when the person who is sitting across from you can see how charming and adorable you are.

Related: 8 Things About Sexting That Actually Turn Women On

Online, however, it seems like you're trying to "warn" potential dates ahead of time, so that they won't be disappointed by how lame you turn out to be. First of all. you're not lame. Second, this is never the message you want to send.

Many people turn

Read More »from Online Dating 101: Don't Apologize For Yourself

By Chiara Atik for HowAboutWe.com

A pick-up artist is a guy who is interested in one thing and one thing only: picking up women. Not a relationship, not a date, not even necessarily you: these guys are on the hunt for women's numbers. These guys are encouraged to walk into a bar and try to get the number of every woman there: once they have your number, they move on to the next girl.
In other words, not date material. At all.

Post-First Date Text Etiquette: Do You Agree With These Rules?

Luckily, pick-up artists are pretty easy to spot once you know their strategies.According to Quora users, you can identify these guys by the following characteristics:

• They're in a hurry - they aren't actually interested in having coffee next Tuesday.
• They're intense - they'll stand too close and stare too deeply into your eyes/cleavage.
• Pick-Up artists are all taught the importance of "peacocking", aka wearing something outlandish or holding a random object to get you to notice them/ask

Read More »from The Tell-Tale Signs Of A Pick-Up Artist

by Scott Alden for HowAboutWe

In the wake of "Weinergate," men sending "erotic" pictures of themselves is, once again, a subject of much controversy in the media. And by "controversy," I mean the entirety of the internet saying "Ewwwww!" and giggling for two weeks.

The practice of sending (usually) unsolicited pics of the family jewels seems to be so common among celebrities and politicians these days that one has to wonder -- does it ever work? Do women ever receive these pictures and get even mildly turned on? Is there ever enough of a positive female response to make the ensuing scandal even remotely worth it?

I did some investigating and found several women who were willing to talk openly, albeit anonymously, about their sexting habits and what's in it for them. As it turns out, there are, in fact, quite a few things that women find attractive about erotic photos of men. Many of them, perhaps somewhat predictably, have to do with the suggestion of a fantasy or a

Read More »from 8 Things About Sexting That Actually Turn Women On

by Scott Alden for HowAboutWe

We all want to go out to swanky places and "live the life," but not all of us can afford it -- at least not all the time, anyway. Have you ever agreed to meet someone for drinks at a particular locale only to Google it later and find out you'd be dropping half your paycheck there? It's an awkward situation, but you may be able to rearrange your plans and still save face. Here's a few tips on how to back out of an expensive date gracefully.

1. "Let's meet someplace closer to work."

The Story: You're "having a crazy day at work and you're going to have to stay late," BUT you don't want to postpone plans. Suggest that you meet someplace closer (read: cheaper) so that you can still get to the date on time. Make sure, to be specific about the place.

What to Watch Out For: They may suggest that you just meet later. In which case, you can't have a late night tonight because, as you said, work is "so crazy."

Related: 8 Things

Read More »from 5 Ways To Back Out Of An Expensive Date Without Seeming Cheap

By Chiara Atik for HowAboutWe

Okay, so we all know that looks matter: if a really hot girl walks into a bar, or a really cute guy walks into a restaurant, everyone takes notice. But let's just imagine, for argument's sake, that you are not the most gorgeous person in the room at any given moment. (I mean, of course, in real life, you are. But lets just pretend.) How much of a hinderance is this in terms of your dating life?

A couple of studies have blissfully reassuring answers for us.

Related: The Pros And Cons Of Dating A Doctor, DJ, Grad Student...

A 2010 study, for instance, asked male participants to rate the attractiveness of photographs of women, whose appearance and body shape ranged greatly. Some participants received positive personality information about the women in pictures, some received negative personality information, and others received none at all.

All groups agreed on which body shape was the most attractive; after all, there's no denying that a beautiful woman

Read More »from In Dating, How Much Do Looks Really Matter?