It’s another typical night at home. You’ve got Netflix playing in the background and you’re swiping through your favorite dating app when you come across a ridiculously cute human being. You instinctively like them and…it’s a match! The next thing you know you’re messaging the other person and the conversation is flowing seamlessly. You like them. You really like them! The question is: when should you ask them out? If you’re thinking of taking your time, you might want to reconsider.
According to a report provided by Tinder, 95% of matches are most likely to meet between two-to-seven days. While this isn’t a hard and fast rule, it does provide a good guideline for when you should try and meet up with your matches.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to meeting up with your match within that two-to-seven-day window.
- Even if you can’t meet up within the next week, set that date.
Between work, hobbies, social and family obligations, life can get really busy. Sometimes it’s simply not possible to meet up with someone new within that one week period — and that’s okay. Even if you can’t meet up right away, set a date for sometime in the very near future. If someone is busy but is still willing to meet up at a set time and date– even if it’s nine days away — that’s a good thing. It shows that they have a full, well-rounded life but are still interested in seeing you. When you at least set a date, it gives you both something to look forward to while you get to know each other over text.
On the other hand, if you’re super busy and the other person gives you a hard time about not being able to meet up right away because you um, have a life, it could be a sign that they aren’t going to be very understanding about your lifestyle. (In my experience, if a guy wants me to drop everything just to see him, he’s not the right person for me!)
- It keeps the momentum going.
Online dating moves fast and it’s easy to get lost in the sea of different options. However, when you know you have a date approaching, it keeps the excitement and momentum alive. Personally speaking, I’m not a big fan of texting people I haven’t met (I have a hard enough time keeping up with my friends and family!) so, if I think there’s potential I could click with someone, I want to meet up with them as soon as I have space in my calendar.
- It saves time in the long run.
Unfortunately, not all online connections translate to real-life chemistry. It’s so easy to get caught up in the fantasy of what someone is like, versus what they’re actually like in person. By setting a date within a week of meeting online, it gives you a chance to see if you actually click in person before you waste time and emotional energy on a situation that isn’t going to pan out.
- Life is short.
If you like someone and you want to get to know them better, ask them out already! Remember, actually going on dates is the whole point of online dating. It’s always better to take a chance and put yourself out there than wonder, “what if?”
