Improve Your Dating Style

Dating Styles

By Debbie Nigro, founder of FirstWivesWorld.com

There are nearly 90 million single adult Americans, according to U.S. Census Bureau. The majority, 54 percent, are women; many are unmarried with children -- 10.4 million single moms with kids living at home. That's a lot of ladies looking for a date. For those new to the game, well-seasoned or just jumping back in, there are many different styles of dating. Can you relate to any? All?

Damaged Daters

You don't trust anyone anymore with your heart. You've been burned. You are not so quick to jump back into another relationship, but you go anyway because you think you are supposed to at least try. Your cynical vibes smell defensive and stink up the room. Wear extra perfume.

K. Tiedge, jupiterimages

I Don't Care Daters

You are not interested. Your energy is focused elsewhere. You need time to to find out who you are. You go just because someone's very nice. But you really don't care, and you don't let him know you don't care. He doesn't pick up you don't care, so he calls you again. And you go again...even though you don't care.

I Just Want to Sleep With You and Not Really Talk to You Daters

Your hormones are swinging and you're going to try and act the way you think some men act, (i.e., just use someone for sex). You want this person to treat you like they care about you, even though you don't really care about him. You are loving the fact that you never expect a call, and call them when they least expect it. Woo Hoo!

Don Mason, Corbis

Sneaky Daters

You don't really want anyone to know who you are dating or where you are going. You go out of your way to find "out of the way" meeting locations and rely heavily on GPS. You are shady with family and friends who suspect you are seeing someone. This can go on for years.

jupiterimages

Dumbstruck Daters

You haven't been on a date in decades. You don't know what to wear, what to say or what the rules are. You buy new lingerie but you don't know why because you have no intention of letting anyone see it.

Getty Images

Panic Daters

You need a new man at all costs. You feel your clock ticking and think you are getting older and less attractive by the second. You can't imagine how you will pay all the bills by yourself or handle household problems and children solo. You tolerate unsavory qualities like a twitch, if his salary is high enough. You will cancel plans with your own mother to make a date on a moment's notice.

Panicky Daters

If he looks like a keeper you blow it. When you realize a guy might actually be a keeper, all your common sense goes out the window because now you actually care what he thinks. Your nerves get in the way of acting like your usual self. You experience "fumfering" and excessive worry about your looks and words, and as a result can't remember a darn thing HE said once you get home.

Comfort Daters

You head back in time and re- date old boyfriends who are now also single. Often you track them down. They knew you when you were young and really cute and still see you that way, and you them. The delusion is intoxicating -- and at least you know where the heck they came from.

Smother Daters

You like him, NO you LOVE him, NO you're obsessed with him. You're the one who has called too many times. Are you there?? Hello...I thought you said you would call at 4 ...its 4:05. Pick up the phone, I know you are there. Hello! Hello!? Hello -- he's not picking up for a reason.

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