Dear Gay Men, Here Are The Do’s And Don’ts Of Online Dating

As a gay man, you spend as much time charting the dregs of a dating app as you spend deciding between a mimosa and a mojito for Sunday brunch — only in the case of the latter, there are no empty calories, just empty feelings (and no, there are no Happy Hours on online dating portals).Online dating might look depressingly tough, but it’s really not.  Do you want to get away and get it on in real life?Just follow these dos and swerve away from the don’ts, and you’ll never have to hit the bar to drown your loneliness ever again:Do: Have a recent picture of yourselfUnless you still look like your gorgeous, toned self from 2007, have a photo that was taken in the past few months as your display picture. After all, no one wants to see that look of disappointment on their date’s face when they turn up and see you for the very first time.PS: have more than one photo, as cameras can be pathological liars (and so can people).Don’t: Lie on your profileWe know how exhilarating it can be to lie about your age, height, weight and the fact that you won ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award back in 2010 on your profile, but do remember — you are only one Google search (or one date) away from never seeing the hypothetical boy of your dreams ever again.Do: Take chancesDoes your date seem slightly boring than he did on text? Is his nose off centre? Do you find him a bit pudgy around the waist? You can pass him off, and wait and wait and keep waiting, but perfection might never make it when you want it to.While online dating can seem superficial — as you swipe right through profiles of gorgeous men with pectoral muscles and PHDs, you might need to step out of your comfort zone every once in a while. Who know? Maybe the grungy musician who lives with his parents is the one you’ll click with.Don’t: Ask for a picture if you don’t have oneIf you do, you are a certified A-level douchebag.Do: Be well groomedIf you don’t expect your date to turn up with garlic breath and body odour, neither should you. No one expects you to look like you are walking the ramp for the next Autumn/Winter collection, but make an effort and dress up (more on that later).Side note: Take a shower and spray some cologne; it always helps.Don’t: Be a Yes manWill you share my salad?Want to come back to my place?Why don’t you leave your wallet with me when you head off to the washroom?I have a fetish for blood. Are you interested?Don’t be a people pleaser; if someone asks you to do something that makes you uncomfortable, a succinct ‘no’ is all it takes. You don’t even need an excuse after.Do: Be on timeThere’s nothing more attractive than a man who is always on time. If you aren’t, keep an apology text ready to be sent at least ten minutes before your assigned meeting time.Buy him a drink (or two) when you get there — alcohol always makes up for (and makes with) lost time.Don’t: Get too drunk on the first dateBeing drunk on a date is never sexy, especially if it involves you retching over his Italian loafers (halfway through the heartwarming story of how he lost his cat when he was twelve).Side note: If you are feeling the first date sweats and are generally anxious, calm yourself with a drink, but stop at two (or when you feel the sudden urge to flirt with the bartender).Do: Talk on the dateContribute to the conversation like you would contribute to water cooler gossip — remember that a great conversation can help you go a long way, right up to ten-year anniversary pictures on the fridge.Don’t: Be meanNo one likes to be told that their posture is wrong; their shoes are last season, their big dream won’t work or that they’ve got something stuck between their teeth.Don’t like your date? Don’t take it out on him. Have a drink or two, and end the night early with a polite excuse, and a cheque that’s split two ways.Illustration courtesy Amrai Dua