How To Date During Social Distancing

Are you single and feeling lonely? If you are, you’re not alone. 81% of USA residents are  dealing with a lot of negative emotions during the pandemic, according to USA Today, including loneliness. A lot of singles are isolating on their own, and even those who isolate with others may be craving a little romance to take the edge off during such uncertain times. However, normal dating really isn’t on the cards at the moment. So, what you do? Well, there are many ways you can  enjoy a dating experience during social distancing, even if that dating experience is off the beaten track. These tips will help you to enjoy some fun flirting and romance to cheer you up during the COVID-19 crisis.

Whether you’re already into online dating or you’re considering trying it, don’t feel pressure to get into video chats right away. Ease into getting to know a new person via text and email, or use the chat interface on an online dating platform. People may seem trustworthy online, even after you’ve Googled them and checked out public aspects of their social media profiles, but you don’t really know them. They are still strangers. When you start with exchanging messages, minus the video, you’ll have a chance to consider what the person is actually saying to you, rather than getting caught up in how they look. Wait until you’ve built some rapport before you move into video chats. You should feel like you have a decent sense of who the person is before you  start doing the video thing.

When you do begin chatting via video, you should still keep privacy in mind. Shady characters may want to see how your home looks from the inside to get a sense of whether you’re wealthy or not. Find a neutral place to do video chats that doesn’t reveal too much about your income or lifestyle. Later on, once you’ve gotten to know someone better, you can get more creative with video chats.

For example, you could both  enjoy a glass of wine as you chat. It might be fun to order the same bottle of red, white or rose, and then discuss how the wine tastes while you chat. Other fun  ideas to keep the romance alive while you’re unable to meet up include cooking supper as you video chat or working out together. As you become closer through video, you can flirt more. This is the stage where you may be planning a face-to-face meeting. When you meet, you’ll need to do a “social distancing date”, but this may not be as awkward as you think.

When it’s time to meet, you’ll probably need to maintain social distancing. Look at the current rules in place in your area, and keep them in mind as you plan your date. Since it’s summer, you may want to get together outside. You might chat on an uncrowded beach, six feet apart, while catching some rays on beach towels. Another option is going to a park that isn’t crowded and strolling around, six feet apart. At some point, the rules will change and dates can get cuddlier if you want them to. For now, respecting social distancing rules on dates may add a bit of old-fashioned charm. Consider yourself a person who’s courting someone else, rather than trying to get physical right away. You may find that you actually enjoy this slower pace of building a relationship.

Now that you’re armed with some tips that will help you to stay safe while dating during the pandemic, why not put them into action? Move through the steps discussed above to create a bond during uncertain times. It is possible to build a great relationship during the pandemic, and it’s sure to be a start you’ll never forget.