Singleish: Dating Advice From a Professional Matchmaker!
I read a hilarious non-fiction book called Matchbook: The Diary of a Modern-Day Matchmaker and loved it so much, I just had to track down the author, Samantha Daniels. She is a former divorce lawyer turned professional matchmaker (remember the Alicia Silverstone TV series Miss Match? That was about Samantha.) In the book, you read about all the crazies she meets, thanks to her business Samantha's Table, which has offices in NYC and L.A. She has helped over one hundred couples get married and thousands get into long-lasting relationships. Damn! I just had to ask her some questions.
I devoured this book in 2.2 seconds, and I am a slow reader (little known fact).
This is Samantha Daniels. The matchmaker is in!
Erin: A lot of people are looking for Mr. or Mrs. Perfect. Tell me about the 80-20 rule.
Samantha: In Matchbook, I spoke of the 80-20 rule-any time you meet someone who has 80% of the things you are looking for, you should realize that this is a great person for you. If you throw back into the dating pool an 80% guy, the next guy is going to be 80% again, just a different 80% because it is near impossible to find more than 80% perfect for you.
Check out the 10 things he's thinking when you're naked!
Erin: In your book, you talk about how important timing is with guys.
Samantha: Men need to be ready and desirous of a relationship at a particular moment to get into a relationship, whereas women can be ready at any time if they meet "the guy." Women need to try to catch the guy when his "ready light" is on. We have all seen men end up with women who just don't seem as good for him as his last girlfriend and this is because he wasn't ready then, but he is ready now.
Erin: Story of my life. So do you have any dating tips for our readers?
Samantha: Smile-men want to be with a happy girl. Be open to possibilities, limit your pre-date phone chat to a minimum, and teach him early that texting only supplements phone calls and dates!
Do you know everything you need to know about his man parts?
Erin: What are some red flags we should look out for?
Samantha: Beware of guys who tell you how great you are before they know how great you are, guys who have shady answers that you just don't believe, and guys who are serial daters.
Erin: I always meet younger guys. I love them, but they're never ready to get serious. Where or how can I meet men in their 30s?
Samantha: Lounges are better than bars and clubs. Organize small dinners with your friends and their friends, and look around the gym!
Erin: I'm on it! Thanks, Samantha!
To ask Samantha a question of your own, go to her web series, Relationship Chatter. You can also read her blog, Matchmaker in the Know, become a client of Samantha's Table, and read Matchbook! It's so freaking funny!
And how about that 80-20 rule? I think I meet a lot of 20-percenters, actually. But I'll be careful to look for the 80! Do you often throw good guys back into the dating pool?
by Erin Meanley
Related: 11 Things Guys Don't Understand About Women!
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