Family Matters

While dating, it is important to remember that family matters to her just as much as it does for you. So, when she tells you that she can’t go out on Saturday because she has plans with her sisters, chances are very good that she expects you to understand and not get discouraged. After all, you’d likely put your family first, as well.

Deal Breakers

Before dating, take a moment to figure out what your deal breakers are. Is it a requirement that you need to be with a fellow Greek? Do you want someone who goes to church regularly? Think about what the important issues are and when they arise while you’re dating, this is a good indication that you shouldn’t see each other again.

Your Appearance

Women like men who are well-groomed so basic hygiene could go a long way in helping you secure a great woman. Make sure your breath smells nice, get rid of any unsightly facial hair, wear deodorant and take regular showers. While on dates, always make sure you are dressed appropriately. When in doubt, it’s better to look too dressed up than less. It makes her feel as if you made an effort for her.

Be Yourself

Women love it when men can be themselves! Most don’t respond to cheesy pickup lines, for example, and would much rather talk to someone who is being genuine. If you see a woman who captures your interest, catch her eye. If she looks at you and smiles, you have the green light to approach her. Make small talk and see where things lead. If you seem to like each other, exchange numbers and ask her out.

Body Language

So, you’ve finally asked her out on a date. How do you know if it’s going well? Well, one of the best ways is to pay attention to body language. If you lean into her while talking and she leans back, this is a great sign that she’s into you. If she tends to lean away or avoids making eye contact, she may not be as into you as you would like.

Make Her Comfortable

No matter what happens, you never want your actions to make her uncomfortable. When approaching her for the first time, for example, smile and be yourself. If she likes you, she’ll smile back and maybe even flirt a little. When she feels comfortable with you, this is a sign that she’s interested in taking things to the next level.

Also, when you are out on a date, do your best to put her at ease. Even if you realize that you don’t want to be with her over the long term, be polite and treat her with respect. It could take several dates with many women before you find someone with whom to share your life.

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While it’s great that things are going so well, if things are too perfect it could mean that there are things happening below the surface. However, each relationship is different. Here’s a guide to help you decide if things really are going as well as you think, or if they are masking a much bigger problem.

You Never Disagree

One thing that may have you thinking that you met your ideal match is that you never argue. Though this is generally a positive thing, not arguing could simply mean you’re both hiding from your feelings. In order to determine if that’s really the case, it helps to pay attention to how you interact for a few days. Did he say something that bothered you? Did you say something or did you hold back?

If the communication between you is truly healthy, you will disagree with each other in a healthy way. If he says something that bothers you, the best thing to do is address it in a calm way as soon as you feel upset. This will help prevent arguments and screaming matches in the future.

Your Families Get Along Well

Family is an important part of the Greek culture. If there’s trouble between the families, it could spell trouble for your relationship. So, when everyone seems to be getting along, this could make you breathe a sigh of relief. Don’t get too comfortable, though – it could be that your families are being polite to each other for your sakes, but they are really hiding the truth to spare your feelings.

The problem is that if your families do have a problem, it will come out eventually. Assure them that you prefer that they’re honest with you so you can address any problems that arise as they occur, rather than deal with a huge blow out later.

You Have Fun Together

It’s important to have fun together as a couple, but is it forced? If you find yourself agreeing to dates that you’re not interested in, for example, this could create a false sense of security. Over time, you may grow tired of doing these activities, which will cause problems in the future. To be safe, it helps to stay true to who you are. That way, your relationship will develop in a natural way.

Long-term relationships change over the years. If things are going well in the beginning, it’s best to make sure things really are as good as they seem. It’s much better to fix any problems that arise before they start. Greeks are passionate, and family is important to them. If anything in the relationship needs to be addressed, it’s best to do so in the beginning so they understand expectations from the beginning!

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Greeks Are Family Oriented

Greeks love their families and spend a lot of time with them. Their closest friendships are often their cousins and siblings. They think nothing of having a lot of people around them, which can cause headaches for you. You may think you are going over his place for a quiet evening, but in reality, he’s having his whole family over for a barbecue.

Rather than take offense to this, take it as a compliment. He likes you enough to expose you to his family, which means that he may possibly see a future with you. If he sprung this on you at the last minute, it is possible he didn’t have any control over it, either. Greek families tend to visit each other unannounced and it is an integral part of the culture.

Go to Church With Him

If he is an active churchgoer, you’ll win bonus points by going to church with him. Greek Orthodoxy is a big part of Greek family life and families enjoy going together. Even if he doesn’t ask you to go with him, you will win serious bonus points with him and his family if you attend with him.

Are you uncomfortable in church? Discuss your concerns with him and consider meeting with his priest to help put you at ease. If this is your first exposure to the Greek Orthodox Church, it can be intimidating because it is a different style of Christian worship than people are used to.

Greeks and Conflict Resolution

Have you ever heard Greek people talk to each other? It’s usually loud and it could sound as if they are constantly yelling at each other. Even if they are arguing, no one takes it to heart. Most Greeks tell you what is on their mind as soon as the thought pops in their heads. Most prefer to resolve conflict right away rather than let problems go without addressing them.

As a non-Greek, this could take some getting used to, especially when you’ve done something to upset him and he lets you know right away. The best way to handle this is honor his feelings. Tell him that you appreciate his honesty, which will enable to work through the conflict in an effective manner.

Greek people are passionate, proud of their cultures, and family oriented. These are all things that can affect your blossoming relationship with a Greek. As long as you understand that there will be some cultural differences between you, it is easier to form a relationship. Also, remember that while it is important to understand his culture and way of doing things, he should also gain an understanding of yours.

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What is Your Reason for Breaking Up?

Before considering getting back together, it helps to remember why you broke up in the first place. Every relationship is unique, as are your reasons for breaking up. In some cases, you may have been completely incompatible which means that you probably shouldn’t get back together. In other cases, the problems you may have been having could be fixable. If so, perhaps ending the relationship was a hasty maneuver to begin with?

How Deep Was Your Relationship?

How deep your relationship was can also help determine if you should start dating again. If you were only dating casually in the first place, it may be easier to start dating again. However, if you had a long-term relationship that ended for any reason, dating again may not be a good idea. The longer you were together, the more difficult it will be to even consider getting back together.

How Long Have You Been Apart?

Being apart can either help or hurt your chances of dating your ex again. If your relationship ended only a short time ago, it could indicate that you were never truly broken up in the first place, which is a situation that would need to be addressed. However, letting some time pass before considering dating again can also be harmful. Over time, it is easy to forget the bad things and only remember the good.

Why Do You Want to Get Back Together?

Another question to ask is why you want to start dating again. Chances are very good that the initial breakup happened for a very good reason and time may not have healed this reason. If you want to start dating again because you think the relationship has long term potential after fixing a few things, that’s one thing. However, if you are just using each other for comfort or companionship, that is quite another. Once you consider your motives, you will understand if this is the right thing to do.

Was Your Ex Greek?

While being Greek doesn’t automatically make you well suited for each other, it certainly does help. In today’s melting pot culture, it is easy to fall in love with someone who doesn’t quite understand what it means to be Greek. The truth is, Greeks can be different. Our food is unique. We usually have a packed schedule filled with social obligations. If we end up with someone who doesn’t understand how our culture affects our relationships, it can cause problems.

There is no easy way to determine if you should start dating your ex again or not. The best thing to do is weigh all the pros and cons and make the best decision for your situation. Generally, a relationship usually ends for a good reason. It is often better to not get back together. However, every situation is different.

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Don’t Use Too Many Abbreviations

If you love texting, you may be tempted to use abbreviations when you get in touch with your love interest. However, abbreviations should be avoided while dating because they look impolite and it can also be confusing. Instead, form completed sentences so that you can show your date your best self.

Keep it to a Minimum

No matter how tempting it is, don’t use texting to help you get to know the other person. Instead, pick up the phone and call her or wait until your date to have a conversation. Only use texting for simple things. Sure, you can set the date using texting, but even with that, you’re better off calling.

Avoid Overanalyzing

When texting, it can be all too easy to overanalyze every little thing she said. Since you can’t hear her voice, it is impossible to know for sure what she means when she writes something. That is one of the reasons why speaking in person or actually calling is preferred. It is a lot easier to communicate. Texting can cause misunderstandings; especially if the person receiving the text takes something you said the wrong way.

Keep it Simple

Another problem people have with texting is that they tend to make it too complicated. That is why it is difficult to do anything but hold simple exchanges on it. Any conversation that tends to be challenging should either be done on the phone or in person. Leave texting for simple communications, such as saying a quick hello on a busy day.

Respond to Your Texts in a Timely Manner

If you’re just getting to know someone, it is best to respond to them as quickly as possible when they text, otherwise they may feel you are blowing them off. This not only results in hurt feelings, but they could also lose interest in you unless you are responsive to them. Do your best to respond to their texts quickly so that you don’t hurt their feelings.

Difficult Conversations Aren’t for Texting

Have you ever been broken up with over text? Not only does this lack class, but also it is very hurtful and impersonal. If you no longer want to date your Greek single, you owe it to them to at least pick up the phone to tell them. The same goes for other challenging conversations, such as determining if you have a future with someone and even proposing to them.

Though texting can make your life easier, it can also cause problems. Instead, follow this general guideline. You can use text messaging to hold simple conversations, but whenever you have time, it is much better to make the effort to pick up the phone to call.

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Even though Valentine’s Day isn’t typically celebrated in Greece, its popularity in the United States means that the Greeks in America will need to find a way to honor their sweethearts. For Greek singles, you could find yourself on a date for Valentine’s Day, which means that the expectation to be romantic is even greater than usual.

Also, there are certain expectations that come with going out on Valentine’s Day. Not only does the type of date actually matter, but also there is an expectation that there will be gifts. And yes, this holds true even if you are on a first date or if you’ve only been out a few times. The gift doesn’t need to be expensive, but it does need to be thoughtful and romantic.

Here are some Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Greek Singles.

Give Her Flowers

It doesn’t matter if you picked up a dozen roses at the gas station on your way to pick her up. It’s still a dozen roses and she doesn’t need to know where you got them. Even though they are fairly cliché, giving her a bouquet of flowers is a universal gesture of romance. In fact, flowers are a great gift idea for any romantic situation from first dates to long-term relationships.

Satisfy Her Sweet Tooth

Retail stores start selling Valentine’s Day themed chocolates weeks in advance. This means that chocolates are another great gift idea for your sweetheart. If you want to get extra points, find out what kind of chocolate she likes best and give her a big box of them on Valentine’s Day. If you have no idea what she likes, a variety box is also a nice touch.

Perfume or Cologne

A fragrance gift is also a popular choice for Valentine’s Day and it’s something that is appropriate for both men and women. However, since most fragrances are rather expensive, this isn’t a good gift if you are casually dating them or are on a first date, unless you want to buy something expensive. You can buy a single bottle of perfume or cologne or invest in one of the guest sets that are released especially for Valentine’s Day.

Wine or Champagne

This is an excellent choice for a Valentine’s Day gift for several reasons. First, you can find wine, sparkling wine, and champagne at just about any price range. Second, the wine or champagne can actually be a part of the date, which means that it doesn’t have to be a formal gift. For example, if she invited you over to her place for dinner, you can buy a nice bottle of wine as both a Valentine’s gift and a gesture to the hostess. You may even be able to find wines from Greece.

Are you a Greek single who has a date for Valentine’s Day? If so, then you may be wondering if you should get him or her a gift. Mostly, the expectation falls on the man to get the woman something, even if you don’t know each other that well. When in doubt, get her something but keep it simple.

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Why Being in a Relationship With a Friend Works

Dating a friend begins when you realize that the friendship provides a great foundation for a relationship. In fact, some of the best long-term relationships have their roots in a loving friendship. The initial feelings of attractiveness can fade over time. As a couple progresses, the thing that keeps them together over the long term is how strong their friendship is.

Make Eye Contact

Making eye contact is the absolute simplest way to assess if someone shares your feelings. If she returns the eye contact and doesn’t look away, chances are good that your friend shares your feelings. There is an art to doing this, however. If you hold the gaze for too long, you risk looking creepy. If you don’t do it long enough, it won’t be effective. Look your love interest in the eye for around ten seconds before looking away.

Start Flirting

Flirting can be a good way to determine if your friendship has relationship potential. There are some tactics that are flirty without being overly aggressive. Touch her arm while she’s telling you a story. Laugh at her jokes. Tease her in a lighthearted way without being cruel. Use whichever tactics make you feel comfortable and make sense for your personalities. If she responds well by flirting back, chances are pretty good that she returns your affections.

Know if You Should Back Off

When you make eye contact, does she look away rather than return the gaze? Does she act like she feels awkward when you start to flirt? Has she made comments that you’ve been acting weird? These are all telltale signs that you should back off and not pursue this any further. Chances are pretty good that she doesn’t return your feelings and you may ruin the friendship if you bring it up. However, you may try to flirt and make eye contact again in a few months to see if she’s changed her mind.

Be Honest With Your Feelings

Have you made eye contact a few times with great results? Do you flirt on a regular basis? Well, it is time to consider having a conversation with your friend to see how she really feels. Some people worry that this will ultimately affect the friendship. However, if your friendship really is strong, a conversation like this won’t hurt what you already have. Rather, it opens up the possibility of taking things to the next level. Simply tell her that you like her as more than a friend and see how she responds.

Sometimes, a great friendship is a nice starting point for a relationship. However, not every friendship will develop into a relationship. The real art is figuring out if your friend is the perfect Greek single to spend your life with.

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Do you have someone to spend Valentine’s Day with? If so, there is some pressure to have an outstanding date. Here are some ideas for Valentine’s Day dates that Greek singles will appreciate.

1) Take Her Out for Dinner

Sharing meals together is a big part of the Greek culture. If you are taking a Greek single out for Valentine’s Day, going out for dinner is a great option. You can either keep it traditional by going out for Greek food or find a unique restaurant that you both will enjoy.

2) Make Her Dinner

Have you been dating someone for a while? If so, then having a romantic evening in your home is an idea. Why not invite her over for dinner? Even though going out for dinner is always fun, making the meal yourself will win you extra points. Set the mood with candles, soft music, and a menu that is designed to impress.

 3) Revisit Your First Date

Have you been dating for a while? Was your first date a success? If it was, a great option for a Valentine’s Day date is to revisit the site of your first date. This works especially well if you went out for dinner or took her on another romantic outing. Even going bowling can be romantic on Valentine’s Day if that was your first date.

4) Research the Trendy Hot Spots

Is your date someone who loves to follow all the latest trends? If so, she will be impressed if you secure a table at the hottest restaurant or tickets to the latest show. Making the extra effort to find out what’s popular will help you win points with your Greek date and help the evening be a success.

 5) Keep it Greek

Are you both proud of your Greek heritage? If so, you may want to consider attending a Greek event for Valentine’s Day. Check your local listings for Greek events such as dances, movies, and even concerts. You can even go out for dinner at a Greek restaurant or cook an authentic Greek meal for her yourself.

No matter how creative you try to be, there are certain expectations for how the date is supposed to go. On this type of date, it is important to make her feel comfortable. Give her flowers or chocolates at the beginning of the date.

Take her to her favorite restaurant. Act like a gentleman for the entire evening. If she expects a gift and fancy meal and you take her sky diving instead, she will be disappointed. Most of all, remember that a successful date has more to do with meeting her needs and listening to what she wants rather than impressing her. Just be yourself and put her needs before yours and your Greek single will appreciate your efforts.

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Despite your best efforts, however, you’re not getting anywhere. Now what? The good news is that all hope is not lost! Sometimes, the best way to meet someone is to simply stop trying so hard. The right Greek man or woman for you may just enter your life when you least expect it.

Actively Seeking Love is Stressful

First of all, the reason why actively looking for love often doesn’t work is because it can be very stressful. When we’re stressed out, it can completely affect the decisions that we make. Not only that, but people respond best when they are around fun, relaxed people. If you are stressed because you are having trouble meeting “the one,” then you won’t attract the right kinds of people because you won’t be showing your true personality.

Improve Yourself Instead

Rather than actively looking for love, you’d be better off working on becoming the type of person you really want to be, instead. When you do this, you will attract the right people in your life. When you are happy with who you are as a person, other people will be happy with you, as well. If you aren’t content with who you are it is worth it to do what you need to do to get there.

Enjoy Your Life

Simply put, people are attracted to those who enjoy their lives. If you smile and have fun no matter what you do, people will notice this positivity and want to be around you. Pretty soon, you will find that people who share the same viewpoint on life as you surround you. Who knows, maybe the person whom you are meant to be with will be among them.

Connect With Others

Just because you aren’t necessarily looking for love doesn’t mean you can’t make it a point to connect with others. It’s even okay to meet eligible Greek singles and go on a few dates. The difference is that your goal here is to simply connect with others and keep yourself open to the possibility of finding someone. Focusing on connecting keeps you in a relaxed state of mind.

How many times have you heard of people finding love after they’ve completely given up? The secret to this approach is that you stop trying so hard, which helps you relax and enjoy your life. If you adopt this same mentality while looking for a fellow Greek to share your life with, you will not only enjoy your life more but it may also help you find love.

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As if dating isn’t awkward enough, determining who pays for the date can be difficult. Women are more independent than they were when our parents dated. Not only that, but there are multiple ways you can meet someone and plenty of options for dates. It can be hard to sort out who should pay for the date. Here are some guidelines that can make things a little easier.

Who did the asking?

Did he ask you out? Then he should pay. This is the simplest way to determine who will pay the check at the end of the date. Whoever does the asking should be the one who pays for the date. Knowing this, do things still get awkward at the end? Well they shouldn’t be. Whoever asks, pays.

Discuss it in Advance

Despite this rule, things can still get awkward at the end of the date. There are a few reasons for this. The first is that some people believe that all dates should be split 50/50 to keep things equal. If you would like to do anything other than adhering to the “whoever asks pays” rule, this should be discussed before the date even begins to avoid confusion.

Meeting for the First Time

If you are meeting someone for the first time and the date is fairly casual, it is acceptable to pay your own way, even without discussing this in advance. For example, if you meet someone online and decide to meet for coffee or for drinks at a bar, it’s okay to pay your own tab. In this instance, your goal is to meet the person for the first time in order to decide if it is even worth your time to continue dating them.

Old Fashioned Chivalry

There are some people who opt to take a more chivalrous approach while dating. If this is the case, then they believe the man should always pay for the date. If this is the case, it doesn’t matter who did the asking or how casual the date is. The man will be expected to pay. If you are dating someone who approaches dating in this way, there will never be confusion. Then man will simply pay no matter what.

Establishing Friendship

These days, it is perfectly normal for a man and a woman to simply become friends. If you have friends of the opposite sex, anything goes in terms of who pays. Friends often split the bill, cover the other person for a night out, pay their own way, or whatever else makes sense for the situation. Don’t let the differences in gender confuse things.

While Greek dating, it can be easy to get confused over who pays for what. Just remember that each situation is different and use this information as a guide.

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When trying to find that perfect Greek to share your life with, you may be wondering if you should date more than one person at the same time. Well, there are pros and cons of each approach. Here is a guide that will help you decide if you should date multiple singles at once or if you should just focus on one.

Determine Your Dating Goals

Your goals will play a large part in determining if you should be dating several people at once or not. For example, if you want to meet someone to spend your life with, then it may be best to focus on one at a time. This will give you a chance to really get to know the person so you can see if they have potential for the future.

If you are simply looking for companionship and friendship, dating several at once may be your best approach. However, keep in mind that dating multiple people can result in hurt feelings. The moment that you realize a person doesn’t actually have potential for the future, it is best to let them know rather than string them along.

Dating vs. Friendship

However, there is a difference between having a friend and dating someone. The term, “dating”, implies that you are romantically interested in them. Friendship, however, implies that there is no romantic interest between the two parties.

In order to prevent hurt feelings, it is best to be up front and honest about how you feel about a person. You could think you are “just friends” with someone who actually likes you romantically. Or, you could be “dating” someone that you actually just like as a friend. Unless you are honest with the person, dating could get tricky.

Meeting Eligible Greeks

The very first thing you should do is decide how you will meet Greek singles. Options include signing up for Greek dating sites, attending Greek-related events, and meeting people through your existing social circle.

In a lot of ways, how you meet them will determine if you will be in a situation where you’ll date more than one at the same time. For example, when attending Greek singles events or signing up for a dating service, you could meet several eligible singles at once. In this case, it might be best to date a few of them at the same time, at least until you determine if they have potential or not.

Keeping Everyone Straight

One huge negative aspect to dating multiple people is that it can get confusing, at least in the beginning stages. If you find yourself forgetting people’s names and not remembering details about their lives, you are not the type of person who really should date more than one person at a time. This level of forgetfulness hinders your ability to develop a relationship or even a friendship with a person.

Everyone is different which means that you need to find the best approach in dating Greek singles for both your goals and your personality.

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One strategy you may want to try is giving regular parties. This is a twist on “getting fixed up” except it lessens the stress of a solo date. Here are some ideas that will help you meet someone special using this strategy.

It’s All About Networking

If you want to meet people that you are interested in dating, it’s all about networking. Sometimes, the best love matches occur when you meet someone through people you already know. Anyone you come in contact with has the potential of either being a good match for you or knowing someone who is.

The idea is to keep an open mind when you talk with people in your circle. They may just know someone who would be perfect for you. Once you do find out about someone who has potential, your next strategy is to figure out what to do about it.

Why Hosting Parties Works

Have you ever been fixed up on a blind date? On rare occasions, going on a solo date can work. However, the stress of this kind of date usually outweighs its effectiveness. Being in a one-on-one situation with someone you’ve never met can be nerve-wracking.

This is why hosting parties is such a great idea. If one of your friends has a Greek single in mind for you, all she has to do is invite him to one of your parties and then leave it up to you to strike up a conversation. Based on the simple conversation, you can decide if you want to pursue things further or not.

Size of the Party

There are two strategies you can use if you decide to hold a party as a way to meet a Greek single. You can either have a large party or a smaller one. A large party will allow you to meet a lot of people in a short amount of time. If the party is on the smaller side, it will give you a chance to focus your attention on a fewer number of people.

What is the best type of party for you? Well, a lot of it will depend on your personality. If you are a little shy, you may thrive in smaller group settings. If you love larger parties, this may be the ideal party size for you.

Yes, throwing parties can be a great way to meet Greek singles. However, this shouldn’t be your only reason for hosting a party. If people sense that you are throwing parties just to meet a potential love match, it may seem forced. The ideal situation is to throw a party simply because you want to. Then, if you happen to meet someone you connect with, that’s an even bigger bonus.

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Children Come First

It helps to remember that his children are his number one priority. This can cause some challenges because it could ultimately mean that he could cancel dates because of them. In this circumstance, it helps to be very patient. Being a single parent is difficult. If a child is sick or in trouble at school, he needs to feel as if you won’t stand in the way of him effectively being there for his children.

The Ex Will Be In the Picture

Also, the ex will most certainly be in the picture. Of course, there are exceptions to this. However, in general, both parents have a right to be able to parent their children. For you, this means that you can’t get upset if he and his ex-wife still speak to one another and are maybe even friends. However, you do have a right to speak up if you feel their behavior towards one another is amorous or inappropriate in any way.

You Should Not Meet Them at First

Don’t be upset if you don’t meet his children right away. If things start to get serious, you will end up meeting them. However, he’ll want to make sure you will be in their lives for a while before he makes the introduction. Besides, what if the children do like you and it doesn’t work out between you? They’ll experience disappointment, which could have been avoided completely by waiting to meet them.

Have a Flexible Personality

Because he also has to take care of his kids, your ability to be flexible is a must. The needs of his family will always be a priority. He may need to cancel dates. He may also not be able to schedule dates until the last minute. Don’t be upset – it isn’t you. He’s simply trying to balance his role as a single parent with his relationship with you.

When You Do Meet Them

Once it comes time to meet them, chances are good that everyone will be nervous, including the children. Do your best to control your nerves and smile and be polite at all times. If, somehow, the first meeting doesn’t go well, all hope isn’t lost. Just be you. Chances are if he likes you enough to introduce you to his kids, they’ll end up liking you too.

If you are interested in a Greek single who is also a parent, this could add some difficulties to your budding relationship. First, you should decide if you can handle this pressure. If so, it helps to keep an open mind and maintain a flexible personality. Remember that even though he may like you, his children are his biggest priority.

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Top 4 Greek Dating Tips for Singles

1. Keep An Open Mind

You may have an idea of the type of person you want to be with. However, sometimes what we think we want isn’t what we should have. To prevent our expectations from becoming stumbling blocks, it helps to have an open mind.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t go after what we want or have stand. It simply means that sometimes the person we end up being happiest with is someone we least expect. There has to be a reason why this is such a common theme in romantic movies and novels.

2. Don’t Be Afraid

Sometimes fear can prevent us from taking action. For example, some people are afraid of rejection so they never approach someone they are interested in. Other fears include fear of getting hurt and even a fear of not meeting someone who’s right for you.

Rather than let fear hold you back, it helps to recognize what concerns you most and then find a way to overcome it. If you fear rejection, for example, practice making conversation and putting yourself out there. Make a list of your fears and find ways to overcome them. This will help make dating so much easier!

3. Finding a Fellow Greek

There are no real rules that say you absolutely need to find another Greek person with whom to share your life. However, if you being with someone who shares your culture is a goal, you should make this a priority.

There are several ways you can go about meeting someone of Greek descent. These include church functions, getting fixed up, signing up for a Greek dating site, and attending local Greek events such as concerts. When you find someone you are interested in, strike up a conversation to see if the person really does have romantic potential!

4. Learn the Art of Conversation

Without excellent conversation skills, it is nearly impossible to date successfully. First of all, being able to converse with others helps you meet a potential match in the first place. Once you start dating, it’s your conversational skills, which will help you get to know the other person.

If you feel that you need practice in this department, try striking up conversations with people you aren’t necessarily interested in romantically such as a new acquaintance, a relative, or a random person you are standing in line with at the supermarket.

As you can see, dating is an art. These tips will not only help you find romantic prospects, they will also help enhance your overall confidence in no matter what you do. Not only that, but also most people find confidence to be very attractive.

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Going Out for Dinner

This is a classic date idea and even though some may think this isn’t unique enough, it doesn’t have to be boring. The truth is, this is one of the best environments for dating because it gives you a chance to get to know your date in a relaxed setting. You can give this date idea a “Greek” twist by taking her to a Greek restaurant.

Local Greek Festival

Does your local Greek Orthodox Church have an upcoming festival? If so, this is a great place to take your date. You can listen to Greek music, dance, and eat a traditional Greek meal. This is also a great place for a double date. Festivals are lively, fun environments, which are ideal for larger groups.

Go Bowling

When getting to know each other, it helps to do something fun and a little bit active together, such as go bowling. While encouraging friendly competition, you can also have conversation while you go through the night. Most bowling alleys even have food and drinks, such as beer, which can help make the night extra fun.

Dinner and a Movie

Even though going to the movies can be romantic, they aren’t great for helping you get to know someone because you can’t really talk during it. A great solution is to go out to dinner either before or after the film so that you cannot only enjoy the movie, but also converse with your date.

Do Something Outdoors

Do you both like the outdoors? If so, then consider taking your date outside. Activities include boating, hiking, going to the beach, walking in a city, and having an outdoor picnic. For example, if you both love being active, a hike may be ideal. Choose a moderate hike with a great view and be sure to eat your lunch at the top. Hiking presents plenty of opportunities to get to know each other.

Go to a Concert or Performance

Another fun date idea is to go to a concert or a performance. However, like a movie, it is almost impossible to make conversation while the show is going on. To solve this problem, you can go out for dinner before or after the show. If you go out for dinner after the show, the performance can give you something to talk about.

As you can see, there are several things you can do on your dates. The key is to find an activity you will both enjoy.

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Watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Before you are introduced to your significant others’ family, it helps to watch the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. In this movie, a Greek woman falls in love with a ksenos, which in Greek means foreigner or “non-Greek”. Their relationship is initially met with resistance from her family. Of course, everything eventually worked out.

For you, watching the movie can help prepare you by giving you a fairly accurate example of how a Greek family interacts. There are some who believe this movie to be an exaggeration. However, most Greeks believe this is a fairly accurate portrayal.

Consider Giving a Gift

Most Greeks are taught to arrive at someone’s home with a small gift as a gesture of thanks for having been invited. If you are invited over for dinner, appropriate gifts include a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates. However, don’t be offended if they don’t open it. Since it is a gift, it is perfectly acceptable for them to serve them at a later time.

One of the things the family will judge you on is if you show up with a gift or not. This is an easy way to make a great first impression. For a Greek, showing up at someone’s house without a gift is considered disrespectful.

Make an Effort With Your Appearance

Another great way to win points with the Greek family is to remember that first impressions really do matter when it comes to appearance. You don’t necessarily need to be clean cut and preppy, but being clean, well groomed, and fairly well dressed are important.

Wear something you would wear to work if you’re having dinner at the family’s place or simply visiting with them in their home. However, if you are going out to dinner with them, obey the restaurant’s dress code.

Always be Polite and Sincere

Greek families respect people who are polite but who are also sincere. Your main goal is to make them feel as if you respect them. If they somehow get the impression that you don’t, they won’t like you. However, if you are overly polite, you won’t look sincere.

Meeting the family for the first time can be stressful. However, if you are a ksenos, the initial meeting can be even more of a challenge. Remember to dress well, give a gift, and be polite and sincere at all times. Most of all, relax and have fun. Greeks are warm and friendly and if you make a great first impression, your chances of being accepted by them are really good.

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First dates are all about the impression you make on the other person. How we act, talk, dress, and even laugh are all things that can make or break the evening. Here are some tips that will help make the date a success.

1. Always Be Yourself

No matter what happens on that date, it is important to be yourself. If you are the type who acts how you think the other person wants you to act, this could backfire. He may detect that you aren’t being genuine. Be true to yourself and act as authentically as possible. Whoever likes you will enjoy who you really are as a person.

2. Dress Appropriately for the Outing

It is important to dress appropriately for wherever the date will be taking place. Are you going to a fancy restaurant? If so, don’t wear jeans. Are you going on a hike? Wear comfortable shoes. If you don’t dress in a way that makes sense for the outing, this could hinder your enjoyment and leave a bad impression on the other person.

3. Keep the Conversation Flowing

A big part of the first date is how well the conversation flows. If you are a good conversationalist, it leaves a positive impression. Have you ever had a date where the conversation felt forced? If so, then chances are pretty good that you were hesitant to see that person again. Always keep the conversation going by asking questions and being interested in what the other person has to say.

4. Don’t Be Afraid of Rejection

When dating, it is easy to develop a fear of being rejected. However, finding the right partner is complicated and it is often no one’s fault if things don’t work out between two people. It’s an issue of compatibility and has nothing to do with being “rejected”. Dating is a lot like shopping. Not every pair of shoes will fit perfectly. At the same time, not every person you date will be right for you.

5. Maintain a Positive Attitude

Most people who are successful at dating always maintain a positive attitude. Simply put, positive people are fun to be around because these people are genuinely happy and make other people feel good. Remember to smile, laugh, and, in general, have a good time. When you’re having a good time, it helps put the other person at ease and will make you fun to be around.

When dating, it can be all too easy to expect the worst, especially if you’ve had a series of bad experiences. However, if you make a great impression in a first date, it increases your chances of finding a wonderful, fellow Greek with whom to spend your life.

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You were right – there are Greek singles who attend these functions. However, you need some help actually meeting them and approaching them. Here are some strategies that will break you out of your shell.

Select the Right Event

Some events are better than others for meeting potential love interests. A gathering of local Greeks at a party or singles event, for example, is a great place to meet them because they both encourage mingling. A concert, however, is a bad place to meet someone because most people are engaged in the performance in an environment that is not conducive to meeting new people.

Don’t Go Alone

Believe it or not, surrounding yourself with some of your friends makes it easier to meet others. However, your group shouldn’t be too big or else it will be intimidating. You should go to the event with at least one other person. Make sure that you have a good time even if you don’t meet anyone. If you have fun with your friends, you will eventually attract positive attention.

Make Eye Contact

One of the easiest ways to let someone know you are approachable and interested in meeting them is to make eye contact. An effective tactic is to catch his eyes briefly and then look away. A few minutes later, you can do the same thing again. At this point, if he is interested, he’ll make the first move.

Make interesting Small Talk

One of your best tactics for meeting Greek singles at local events is to learn how to engage others in interesting small talk. One of the best tactics for breaking the ice is to notice something about the person and start talking. For example, if he is wearing an interesting t-shirt, feel free to comment on that and see where the conversation goes. If he’s interested, he’ll start asking you questions and before long, you could be exchanging phone numbers.

Understand That You’re Not Perfect

Yes, making conversation is an art. However, approaching someone in the first place can take a lot of courage. One thing that helps considerably is to get over the fear of being embarrassed and to understand that you’re not perfect.

Every now and then, you may say something that doesn’t make any sense or you may do something that leaves you feeling mortified. If you take these moments to heart, you will live in fear and won’t take the necessary risks needed to eventually meet someone special.

Meeting eligible Greek singles at local Greek events is an art. Using these tactics may help you find someone special. Remember to always select events you will find fun and attend with your friends. That way, even if you don’t meet someone special, you will still have a great evening.

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Has your profile been live on the site for a while? If you’ve noticed that you aren’t attracting people you would consider dating, it could be time to make some changes. These tips will help get you on the right track.

Make Your Intentions Known

One thing that helps you attract the right people is to make your purpose for being on the dating site known. For example, if you want to meet a fellow Greek, make sure you say that in your profile. Also, if you are looking for a long-term relationship that has marriage potential, you’ll want to let people know. These are just a few examples.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

Nothing kills a dating profile faster than a negative attitude. Sure, last year may have been the worst of your life. No one wants to hear it. Rather than bring your pity party to your online dating profile, give things a positive spin.

For example, instead of saying that you’re “unlucky in love”, why not tell people that you simply, “haven’t found the right person”, instead? You can spin nearly every challenge you’ve faced in a positive way.

Don’t Be Afraid to Talk About Yourself

Another thing to consider when putting together your dating profile is that it is okay to talk about yourself. Most people tend to focus on what they are looking for and neglect to show dating prospects who they really are. However, if you want to attract the right kind of people, it is better to focus more on who you are than on the other person.

Show People Who You Really Are

Another important element of creating your profile is to show people who you really are. For example, you may tell everyone that you like to run marathons. However, unless you post a picture of yourself crossing the finish line your statement won’t have a lot of impact. The photos you choose give you the perfect opportunity to show people who you really are.

Remember to Smile

Finally, remember to smile. Make sure that the photos you post on your profile show you in a positive, happy light. When you smile, you attract happy people. When you don’t smile, you run the risk of encouraging negative, unhappy people to contact you. A smile also helps enhance your attractiveness. People tend to judge whether they want to date you by how you look, and smiling people always look better.

There is an art to putting together your online profile for Greek dating. Following these tips will help you meet someone special. Selecting the right pictures and saying the right things will help you eventually attract the special person with whom you’re meant to be with.

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The beginning stage of any relationship is the most optimal time to make sure you are not only right for each other, but also that things start off on a positive note. Here are some strategies that will help you build a great relationship that will last.

Become an effective communicator.

Developing your communication skills as a couple is one of the most important ways to help make your relationship last. What is great communication exactly? In a basic sense, it is a couple’s ability to talk about things in a calm, respectful manner.

If two people want to genuinely get to know each, other doing so will automatically make their communication skills better. The key is to be respectful of each other’s feelings.

Talk about the hard stuff.

In the beginning stages of your relationship, it’s okay to gloss over the difficult topics. Yes, it is essential to be honest about your life from the beginning. However, it isn’t necessary until things progress to give more details.

For example, as you start dating someone, you can give the person an overview of your relationship history. As you get to know each other and if things are starting to look serious, you can begin to give more details about your experiences.

Bring up the future.

You naturally want someone who has the same vision of the future as you do. It may not necessarily be appropriate to bring this topic up at the beginning of your relationship.

However, after a few months, you should have a talk about where you see yourself in the future to see if your desires align.

Topics to consider include having children, where to live, whether or not you will be active in the Greek Orthodox Church, how you’ll spend your money, and what kinds of jobs you’ll have. Basically, you’ll want to agree on all the major issues.

Spend time together.

This may seem obvious but some couples really do have trouble planning time to spend together. It’s all too easy for our busy lives with work and family to get in the way. However, no matter how busy things get, it is important to schedule in some quality time to spend together.

This is not only important as you’re building a relationship, but also after you’ve been together for a while. Even married couples have difficulty finding time to spend with one another.

In romantic movies, meeting someone with romantic potential is often where the film ends. The implication is, now that they’ve met, they’ll live “happily ever after”. In real life, the notion isn’t that simple. It takes work to build a healthy relationship that lasts. These strategies will make the process a lot easier.

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