As the Valentine’s week reaches its crescendo today, dating coaches and experts share last-minute tips to ensure a safe and successful Valentine’s Day for singles
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Valentine’s Day — a day of celebration for those in love; and the unwritten deadline for those who set out to find ‘the one’ every year. Age-old plays, modern rom-coms and chart-topping music albums have long stood as a testament to the bittersweet tragedy the pursuit of love brings with it. As lone rangers set out on the quest to find their last-minute partner today, armed with their trusted smartphone and dating app of choice, experts share their tips to ensure ‘falling’ in love remains a poetic metaphor.
Keep it real
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>> Authenticity shines through during such times. Don’t ape the herd and let your true self come through. It helps people connect with you through shared interests and traits.
Call your match to confirm their identity before meeting them
>> Let go of the pressure for perfection. Fairy-tale romances don’t come along too often. Set realistic expectations and learn from the journey. Enjoy the process and don’t take it too seriously.
>> Don’t ignore the basic checks. Ensure you set up a video call first before agreeing to meet someone in a hurry. It helps you have the assurance that you are both on the same page.
>> Don’t let the last-minute scramble cloud your sensibilities. Sounding desperate right at the outset and rushing things might put people off and get you nowhere.
>> Most importantly, don’t think twice before severing bonds with a match if something feels off. Trust your gut and respect your own boundaries.
Simran Balar Jain, self-care influencer
Data behind the date
>> If you’re specifically looking for someone to spend Valentine’s Day with, communicate it through your profile. A simple line like “Hoping to find my Valentine’s date” will make it clear.
Food choices can directly affect users’ dating decisions
>> The small details that people sometimes leave blank really count. Our recent 2024 survey showed that 61 per cent of single Indians look for profiles based on food choices when making dating decisions.
>> Show off your personality, but be a good listener. Forty-two per cent of Indians who took the survey consider a date that keeps interrupting them a clear red flag.
>> Never take the conversation off the app even if you have access to their social media handles. The move must feel natural and made with mutual consent.
Samarpita Samaddar, India communications director, Bumble
Insider’s hints
>> Go beyond swiping purely based on looks. You’ll be surprised by the incredible humans you will come across. This is easier said than done, but it is a game changer.
Humour can be the perfect ice-breaker in early interactions
>> Don’t ask to meet someone immediately. Breaking the ice with jokes and shared experiences to bond can be a good segue. A mix of humour and wit always works in first few interactions.
>> Be open to meeting people who don’t necessarily check all the boxes at first sight. Even if things don’t work out, you’ll have a friend.
>> Take time out to mention what you expect from your potential date and what you don’t. Being on the same page is the first step to finding the right partner.
Bikramjeet Singh Bindra, founder, Shy dating app
Take a chill pill
>> Remember that it’s one day of your life and the decisions you make in haste will still have consequences once the celebrations are over. Think before making a move.
Suggest an activity for the first date instead of the usual dinner
>> Identify your “why”. Make a log of all the activities you partake in during the day and at the end of the day, identify at which point you would have preferred a partner to be with you. This process will reveal why you want to date and how you approach it going ahead.
>> Mention your deal-breakers upfront and not after days into a conversation. Leading someone on leaves a bad taste in one’s mouth.
>> Don’t date simply because you believe you’re inching closer towards deadlines of marriage or settling down. There’s no set template and people grow at different paces.
>> Dinner dates are passé. Spend some time understanding their interests and suggest an activity that both parties will enjoy.
Radhika Mohta, relationship coach
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