Click here for The most popular online dating sites In 2021, singles balanced online and in-person dating as the pandemic continued on. Experts said a positive attitude when dating goes a long way. They also suggested serious daters keep their first dates short. These are the best expert dating tips we got from coaches and therapists this year. This year, singles faced dating challenges new and old. As the pandemic raged on, singles relied on dating apps to find matches. Dating app downloads increased 13% in 2021 compared to the last three months of 2020, according to a report from app analytics company Adjust. At the same time, some dreamed of chance in-person encounters, as vaccines became available in the spring and summer months. Throughout the year, dating experts told Insider their top tips for finding and flirting with a match, whether on your phone or in-person. Before you start swiping, get into a playful mood. According to New York City-based dating coach Amy Nobile of Love, Amy, the best flirts have a warm, positive, and playful vibe. ",Connecting on a deep level is the new flirting — energy, vibing, all that stuff. Flirting is about connecting on an energetic level, in my mind,", Nobile said. To get yourself into that mindset before you start swiping, be mindful of and savor the joys in your daily life, said Nobile. Always ask a match, ',What keeps you busy?', Nobile always tells her clients to start a conversation by asking ",What keeps you busy?", This framing allows someone to talk about their career, but also leaves room for discussion about hobbies and passions. How a match responds to this question will clue you into whether they',re self-sufficient, and if they',re excited about their day-to-day life, two important qualities in a long-term partner, said Nobile. Practice flirting with your eyes, says Nobile. According to Nobile, flirting with your eyes, or what she calls ",flies,", is a great way to get into a playful mood. To practice your ",flies,", hold eye contact for three seconds with someone walking by in the opposite direction, said Nobile. As you',re about to pass each other, offer a smirk or brief smile, depending on your audience. When using dating apps, reference a match',s profile to keep the conversation flowing. To keep the conversation flowing, pick something you haven',t yet discussed from their profile, and ask a question about it, said Nobile. If a match said they',ve run four marathons, you could write, ",Wow! Four marathons?! Does running run in the family?", If you',re looking to approach a cute stranger, make eye contact first. Striking up conversation with a complete stranger can feel unnatural, so try making eye contact with someone you find interesting or attractive first, psychologist and founder of The Relationship Place Dana McNeil told Insider. Once you make eye contact, flash a smile and see if they reciprocate. If they don',t return the smile, or turn away, it could mean they',re not interested, according to McNeil. But if they do, it could mean they',re open to chatting. To start the conversation, give a compliment or ask for advice. Instead of using a cheesy pick-up line or asking which vaccine your date got, try a compliment, ask for advice, or offer both, said McNeil. She gave the example of seeing a cute stranger at a clothing store, or even the bar. You could approach him, say you like how his shirt looks on him, and then ask where he got it from, with the intention of buying it for your friend or brother. This way, you',re not only complimenting their appearance, but also hinting at your single status, according to McNeil. Suggest plans if you want to keep in touch. If you want to see the person you met again, ask if they',re open to meet for drinks or coffee soon. ",I know this might feel scary in the moment, but when you consider you may never see this person again if you don',t take action, then you',ll really kick yourself in the butt if you don',t at least try,", said McNeil. If you',re really nervous, she suggested thinking of the worst-case scenario: ",On the flip side, if it doesn',t go well or they reject you, then you will never see them again. So what does it really matter in the scope of the big picture?", Get curious about a match',s differences instead of writing them off. Instead of searching for a date who shares all of your interests or perspectives, Nobile said to get curious when differences do arise, and find a love interest who does the same. The most popular dating app in the world The most popular dating site What's the most popular dating site Most popular dating apps in the world The most famous dating app Most popular dating site in the world The most popular dating apps The most popular dating website The most popular dating site in the world
