Matchmaker advice for avoiding the friend zone

There are few things more frustrating than having a potential matchmaker romance fizzle out into something more like friendship. The so-called friend zone is one of the trickiest dating situations for many singles looking for love, especially as many choose to let things regress into friendship rather than taking the proverbial bull by the horns and getting out of that friend zone quickly and smoothly. Our matchmaker expert shares a few tips on how to avoid the friend zone, and how to turn a friendship into something more.

• Send out the right message – flirting is not just something we do to get the interest of a potential new love interest. It is also something we can do to send out the right signals. If you have met someone you fancy on your matchmaker site, and are now at that all exciting first date, now is the time to turn on the charm. Smiles, eye contact, flips of the hair and mirroring your date's movements are all ways to signal to them that you are interested, and not just as a friend.

 

• Keep the conversation topics light and fun – talking about work, mutual interests and other ‘safe' topics are a good way to establish common ground. But too much ‘safe' talk, and you may find that the initial sizzle turns to fizzle. Without bringing up potentially off-putting topics such as your ex, life history or politics, you can find a happy medium with flirty discussions such as the most interesting date you've ever been on, or the things you look for in a potential partner. Make your date laugh, and leave them wondering about you just a little bit by the end of the date.

 

• Dress the part – you can still dress conservatively and get the right reaction, say matchmaker experts. Women can add some lip gloss that makes their lips look deliciously plump, while men can use that cologne that all their women friends tell them they love. Grooming is essential, which also means clean teeth, hair and nails, as well as clothing that does not look like you have slept in it the night before.

 

• Help them imagine a future, with you in it – a great way to help your date picture a future that includes you is to talk about things you have always wanted to do. Once you find a mutual goal, whether it is to climb a mountain, learn how to cook or see a specific movie, your date can start to picture themselves doing things that involve you. This is a great way to build rapport and ensure that second date.

 

• Use that body language – aside from basic flirting, another way to build that gap from friends to romance is to be more tactile. This doesn't mean groping your date at every chance you get, but instead it means subtle, meaningful touches at the right moments. Touch his arm when you are talking to him to illustrate a point, dust that bit of imaginary dust of their jacket, flick that piece of hair behind her ears and if the moment is right, a kiss on the cheek when you say your goodbyes will seal the deal and make that matchmaker interest see you in exactly the right way.

About the Author

Bianca Jones offers advice for singles seeking the ultimate <a href="http://www.matchvip.co.za/MatchVIP/our-guarantee.html">matchmaker</a> to ensure success for <a href="http://www.matchvip.co.za/">corporate dating</a>.