In the spirit of Halloween, I figured some dating horror stories were in order. Bad dates are something all of us have probably had at one point or another, though sometimes it seems that some people seem to have a lot more stories than others!

Most of the worst possible dating scenarios are the type where you have been set up by someone or it’s a blind date of some type. And usually, though awful at the time, they tend to be pretty funny to other people, especially as time goes on.

I can’t think of any terrible dates, though there were plenty of guys trying to pick me up who never made it to that point. And it occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, I could profile the typical bad dating experiences and share some helpful advice on how to avoid a bad date.

The Put Yourself in a Bad Situation Date: Most of the time I hear a bad date story, it seems like there is always a few bad dating mistakes made in the first place that automatically put you at risk for something to go wrong. For example, you should NEVER on a first date go to the other person’s house or have them come to yours. You should also not ride in a car together. Before you go on another single date, please read my Dating Safety Tips ebook. It’s free and you can download it instantly. If you do the things in the book, not only will you be safer, but you can probably eliminate about 75% of all miserable dating experiences.

The Egotistical Date: Anytime someone starts saying they’re better than everybody else or starts talking endlessly about themselves or just one interest non stop, it can get pretty boring for the other person. So remember when on a date to avoid talking only about yourself – and if you’re stuck with someone like that try changing the subject or politely tell them that you’d rather talk about something else rather than letting them go on, and on, and on.

The Hygiene Nightmare Date: When you go on a date, there are certain expectations that you would try to look and act your best. If you show up in ratty clothes or in need of a shower, it’s a good chance this isn’t going to impress the person you are seeing. This has little to do with appearances and everything to do with just showing a little effort. If you’re not putting in effort to even try to look nice, it’s going to make the person think you don’t put any effort into anything else. At the very least, take a shower, wear clean clothes, and shave/brush your hair. If your date shows up in need of some hygiene, consider doing an activity like going to the perfume aisle at a local department store or changing activities.

The Critical/Insulting Date: Nobody likes being criticized all the time, but being insulted is just down right terrible. A lot of people complain that their date seemed to put down everything they did or said or even came right out and said insulting things. Granted, it can be hard to know if you said something (or will say something) offensive or not, but at the very least, if your date seems upset about it apologize for your mistake. And if your date says something insulting to you, don’t immediately take it the wrong way because there’s a chance he or she has no idea – just politely explain that it is insensitive. And if it continues, there’s no shame in just picking up and leaving. You came for a date – not to be insulted.

The Blind Date Blind dates can be terrifying, whether you’ve met the person online or are being set up by friends. Here’s the problem with blind dates: you’re forcing yourself into a situation with too many expectations with someone you don’t even know. The word “date” immediately puts a ton of pressure on people almost instantly. Why not at least meet somebody casually first and then decide if a date is a good idea? This helps prevent you having any surprises in meeting someone and there’s no pressure. Good examples: I’ll be volunteering at the library next week, why don’t you come by? It’s not a date, and you’ll know within about 5 minutes whether it’s someone you want to get to know better – and without even worrying about the cost of dinner.

Dating horror stories can be tough to avoid, but some of these tips will definitely help to make it so you have a fun and safe experience more often than a terrifying or uncomfortable situation.

Have any dating horror stories you want to share? Tell us about it in the comments below and help others know what not to do on a date

My answer to the title lately has been a resounding: “no.” If someone wants to remain single then that is their right but gon are the days when people can cite lack of prospects as the reason she/he is staying single.

A lady I work with has a daughter who just turned 28. She is single and has a one year old son. I have been hearing from my friend lately about how “all the good men are taken” and if only we could “find someone for her.” Maybe I am just naive but I always wonder why people like her haven’t tried online dating? My friend stated that she felt the format was too dangerous and that the freaks on those services outweigh the real prospects. I had to agree but with a caveat: “It worked for me!” Chances are if you are reading this you know someone who is single and pining or you yourself are. Be forlorn no more: online dating will get you out of the single rut. Note: you should read Chelle’s helpful post of online dating tips as you enter into this realm.

There are many services out there. The one that worked for me and my wife was Yahoo! Personals. I like it because it is local based, meaning you can do searches of your zip code and find people you don’t have to drive hours to meet up with. You simply sign up and start emailing people. Through repeated back and forth you start to find people you click with. From there, you start to date.

If you are a single person, I challenge you with this (because I challenged myself with it years ago): Find one person online you are interested in. Make a date to meet in an open food court area at a mall or something. Put a time cap on it of an hour so you can excuse yourself if it’s going bad. Get that one date in and it could turn into marital bill for the rest of your days!

So, I ask you this question now that you know the answer: Does Anyone Have to Be Single Anymore?

1. Sign up for free trials: Almost every site is “free to try”. Our online dating resources page has both free dating sites and free to to try offers to choose from. By signing up for several you will be able to see which sites have the best matches for you and which ones you feel the most comfortable with. After about a week it will be easy for you to see which ones you like spending the most time at.

2. Consider the Interface: Some sites are much easier to use than others. The interface includes the general layout, design, and functionality of the site. If the page load times take forever or you find yourself having problems sending messages or updating your profile and uploading pictures, you may want to consider other sites.

3. Look for features you use: Many sites offer video chat, instant messenger, email, forums, and other methods of contacting users. If these are features you use, then you may want to look for them in choosing a site. If you don’t care about these types of things, then you don’t need to make it a requirement for sites you consider.

4. Consider the active users: Some sites may only have a handful of active users while others will have hundreds. When you are participating in your free trial, be sure to check how many members are online. You will do much better on active sites than ones with less members.

5. Consider what type of relationship you are looking for: Some sites such as eHarmony.comare intended for long-term relationships while on others anything goes. Other sites are designed specifically for certain cultures or groups. Finding one that specializes in certain types of dating or people may be another way to find your next date online.

If you’re still stuck on finding the right dating site, you can visit our Online Dating Resources Page to see some of the most popular sites reviewed. If you try a few and aren’t happy with them, don’t give up! There are many other sites to choose from!

2. No Babysitter Needed: You can search for a mate and even become aquainted with someone without needing to leave home, which saves you the hassle of finding a babysitter to meet a person who is not right for you or worse yet, go out somewhere and meet no one at all! Being able to get to know someone online first as a single parent will also help you weed out the good matches and the bad matches without subjecting your kids to people who you might not want to ever talk to again.

3. Save Money: There are a number of free dating sites available (See our Online Dating Resources Page). If you decide to use a paid service, the monthly fee is usually less than what you would pay for dinner, drinks, or other expenses in trying to meet people elsewhere.

If you’re a single parent, you’ll find that online dating can lead to some great possibilities and opportunities!

1. Start with good photos. You don’t want a photo that is from 5 years ago, looks like you just rolled out of bed, or shows you half naked. You’ll also want to avoid posting a picture of you with friends, as this can intimidate your potential matches as well. Choose a picture that reflects who you are. Don’t wear a cowboy hat in it if you hate country music, for example.

2. Avoid cliches. How many times have you heard “I enjoy long walks on the beach”? Stay away from phrases that are commonly used and seem generic. Instead talk about what you do, your personality characteristics, and what you are hoping for in a relationship.

3. Replace “I” with “You”. Taking the focus off yourself can do wonders to attract another member. Instead of writing “I like to go fishing” write “Do you like to go fishing? Then we will have fun together.” People always ask “what’s in it for me?” so this will answer that question for them instead of boring them with facts about yourself.

4. Be Positive. Avoid using negative words on your profile. Try your best not to seem too judgemental, whiny, or complaining. Being positive and upbeat will help you attract other positive and upbeat people.

5. Stay Honest. You don’t want to make up an elaborate career or talk about hobbies you know nothing about. Being phony might you get you a first date, but it won’t get you a second one. If you want to be fair to yourself and have a successful online dating experience it’s crucial to stick to the facts.

These 5 simple tips will help you attract the attention of your potential matches. If you haven’t chosen a site yet or are looking to expand your horizons and join additional sites, check out our Online Dating Resources Page where we’ve reviewed the most popular 100% free and Free to Try sites.