Cleveland Singles Scene by It's Just Lunch

A piece of advice for you...

Melissa Lafsky posted this article this week on the Huffington Post that we wanted to share with you, it's her 5 Truths about Dating. It's a great "pick me up" because while dating can be fun...it can be frustrating. Here is her witty take on dating and a good refresher for those gearing up for a date this week: 

Truth #1: Remember, dating takes work.

We're taught to work hard to achieve our goals. Study until your eyes bleed, and you'll make the Honor Roll. Take 6 zillion extracurricular activities and snort Adderall before the SATs, and you'll get into college. Stay late and work weekends, and you'll get the promotion. And on and on until you fulfill the American expectation of constant accomplishment (or you die, or both).

Yet somehow, in the midst of all this cultural "can-do-it-iveness," a crucial lesson gets lost: meeting your life partner also requires work. Lots of work, in fact. This reality gets totally scrubbed from the lore of modern romance. We honestly think it just happens. We arrive at a bar on Tuesday night and our beloved is standing there with a rubber stamp on his/her forehead and 2 tickets to eternal bliss. Not true. Even the people for whom this sort of thing "happens" are lying about it -- they worked (whether they realized it or not) to ready themselves and prepare their lives to meet someone, be it by conquering fears of intimacy or overcoming emotional scars that kept them from nabbing the great people they did meet, or just cleaning out all the crap in their apartments to make room for someone other than the cat. And most of all, they got their butts to that bar on a Tuesday night.

So what's the specific work you need to do? Hell if I know. All I know is that if you're dating like a fiend and never getting what you want (more on that later) then there is work left to do. In a way, deciphering what work is necessary for you is like 10th grade algebra -- if you study the same way for every test and flunk them all, then clearly the way you're studying isn't working. And if you're putting on the same makeup/dress/mental state and heading to the same bar/restaurant/speed dating hall and expecting different results every time, same rules apply.

Want to see her other 4 truths on dating? You can find the rest of the article here.

Our favorite feedback quotes this week...

"Great job! She was just perfect, we a lot in common! We went out for dinner this week and I'm taking her to a show at the theater next weekend. She's super nice, I'm really into her!"-Brad, 29

"The date went really well with Thad. He's great! He is very engaging, cultured, he's tall and loves to travel. I like him! I can't wait to see him again." -Amanda, 41

"We had a really nice time together. We had so much  in common and have some mutual friends. I'm surprised our path's have never crossed! We are going out for lunch again this week."-Doug, 47

Meet great singles and the matchmakers on Friday!

This Friday, July 29th our office is hosting a Wine Tasting Party for Singles with LockKeepers in one of their gorgeous private rooms! You'll have a chance to sip a variety of great wine, taste some hors d'ouvres, mix and mingle with great singles and meet the matchmakers of It's Just Lunch Cleveland!

We'd love to see you there!! Registration for the event is here. And, we'll be having a drawing for a free 3-month membership!

 

Help! I have a date coming up, do you have any talking tips?

1.)    Keep up with current events so you can talk intelligently about major developments. Steer clear of anything too political, you don’t want to get in a heavy debate with your date!

2.)    When you talk about yourself, keep it positive. Stick to your best attributes and the interests you’re most passionate about.

3.)    Ask open-ended questions that evoke a response beyond “yes” or “no”.

4.)    Practice listening. Listen to your date and converse back.

5.)    Don’t talk about past relationships or your past dates. Focus on the person sitting across the table from you…they’re the person that matters right now!

Two of our favorite date stories this week....

“Rich was a great match for me! I couldn’t believe it! We had a great conversation together and spent over two hours together. He was attractive, clean-cut and a great dad to his daughters. He was intelligent, charming and we laughed so much together. I had a great time and can’t wait to see him again!”- Nancy, 43

“She was gorgeous! And besides being beautiful, she was smart, educated and funny! She also loves baseball, that’s a major bonus. We shared similar values and actually had some mutual friends in common. I’m going to give her a call tonight and invite her to dinner this weekend.” –Alex, 35

Heat Up Your Dating Life: Tips for Igniting Summer Romance

It seems that every year many people find themselves a cozy companion during the long, dark winter months. While these relationships might extend into a spring fling, by the time summer comes along sometimes a couple will instead fizzle when they should sizzle. So, if you find yourself looking at July, August, and September on the calendar and are determined to heat up your dating life, you’re in luck! Not only does summer mean longer days and lounging by the pool on weekends, but it also means emptier offices and more time to get out and about during the weeknights. Why not take advantage? If you’re on the dating scene and need some ideas, consider some of these popular venues to either take a current date or find your next date.

Nights at the Museum

Taking in an art exhibit with a date is always interesting, but sometimes the atmosphere doesn’t necessarily stimulate romance. However, many museums have started to keep later hours, catering to young singles who seek a fun, casual outing. Art After Dark in New York and Nightlife at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco are just two of many examples of places to impress your date or find interesting singles.

Movies Under the Stars 

Going out to the cinema may not be particularly inspiring these days, but picnicking in your local park while watching a classic reminds us of the old days of drive-in movie romance. It’s Just Lunch knows that Washington DC’s “Screen on the Green” was the forerunner of this phenomenon, but many places have since copied this unique concept. Grab a blanket, wine, some plastic glasses and settle in for something more romantic than stale popcorn and cramped seating.

 Weekend Jetsetting 

With gas prices sky-high, who can afford to fly for fun these days? However, if you can be flexible with your Outlook Calendar, many low-cost airlines such as Virgin America or JetBlue offer quick summer getaways for a fraction of what you would normally shell out. Use VRBO or Airbnbto find a truly unique places to stay (the former stands for “vacation rentals by owners, the latter has apartment-dwellers offering lux digs for cheaper-than-hotel prices), and you’ll have a vacation that’s ready in an instant—whether you’re on a quick singles getaway, or going with a group of friends in search of fun. Remember, style points always go to those with the sexiest ideas for fun!

 

Join us on Friday, July 29th for a Wine Tasting Party!

We are hosting a Wine Tasting Party for singles with LockKeepers on Friday, July 29th from 6-8pm. Join us for a fun night of mingling with other singles and sampling a variety of wine paired with fantastic hors d'oeuvres in the beautiful and relaxed atmosphere of LockKeepers!

We have stressed to you in our recent blog posts how fun it is to date during the summer...what better way (besides IJL, of course) to meet other singles than at this party?! Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or don’t know the difference between Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio, if you’re single, you’re not going to want to miss this party!

We're anticipating a high number of ticket sales...so reserve your spot today! Call LockKeepers at 216.524.9404 to reserve your spot...tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door (if space is still available)! For more information, visit the party page of LockKeepers.

Wingwoman offers guys dating tips

As First Date Specialists, we liked this article that CNN posted this week on dating tips from wingwoman Marni Kinrys.  Here are some of our favorite tips:

"Women want you to respect them, not admire them. So stop putting women you know nothing about on pedestals. Yes, they're hot, yes other men may want them, but that does not mean that all self-respect gets thrown out the door. Respect yourself first, and women will follow."

"There's no "right" line, but there's a right way to say it. If I had four men approach me using the same, tried-and-tested pickup line, do you think I would be attracted to all four of them? Maybe, but highly unlikely. I can tell you that if the right man with the right character came up to me and said "banana, banana, banana," I would giggle like a little schoolgirl and instantly feel attraction for him."

You can read the rest of Marni's tips here. Do you agree with her? Let us know you're thoughts!

Sharing our favorite feedback quotes.....

“Oh the date was terrific! He is a great man, has great values and we have lots and lots in common. Just fantastic!! We already have plans for 2 more dates…you did a great job with this one!” –Cassie, 34

“The date went really well! We had a lot in common; overall it was a great experience. I liked that she was athletic but also balanced that with a creative/artsy side too. She’s well rounded, intelligent and close with her family. I’m going to call her tonight and ask her out for this weekend. I hope date #2 goes just as well as our first!”-Pete, 37

“Don was so nice and so handsome. We had a great time together! He’s kind, sweet, and talkative. We went out again, we went kayaking. I like him a lot!”-Anne, 49

“She’s very cultured and athletic. We went kayaking the next day. She was a great communicator and very outgoing. And, she’s stunningly beautiful. I hope she’s interested in meeting again!”-Don, 51

Weekly Advice to Enjoy a Fun and Flirty Summer

One of the best times in our office as First Date Specialists is matching and coordinating dates for our clients in the summer…that’s because summer is flirty and fun! The weather is warm, the winter blues have vanished and people are EXCITED to be dating and meeting people! The summer months always keep us on our toes! With that in mind, we complied some fun summer flirting tips for you this week:

Head outdoors!

You’re not going to meet anyone hanging out at home (its summer reruns anyways on TV). Take advantage of the warm weather and head to a patio to enjoy a summer brew or a mojito and dine al fresco! Head to the farmers market to mill around or take your lunch outdoors to a local park.

Host a Party!

A social event is a great excuse to flirt. Host a BBQ (food prep is a great way to flirt), use your farmers’ market findings to create a fresh meal or a creative cocktail. And never turn down an invitation to a party…you never know who you’re going to meet!

Take advantage of the sundress/sandal/shorts wearing weather!

The advantage of summer clothing is that it can be more flirtatious than your winter wear. Don’t be afraid to show some skin subtly and be relaxed, comfortable and confident. Enjoy your summer wardrobe before you have to bundle up again!

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Now that you’re spending more time outdoors enjoying the weather, chat with everyone you see, even if you’re not sure on chemistry. It keeps you comfortable, poised and confident and ready to flirt when your dream date comes along.