As you have probably noticed, there is a tremendous amount of diversity within the dating community when it comes to personal preferences and long term goals. Singles that actively seek new partners generally do so for a variety of reasons that can range anywhere from a desire for temporary companionship to a yearning for a more genuine, lasting love. No matter what kind of dating experience you tend to pursue, employing some of the tried and true dating strategies listed below will serve to enhance your overall dating experience and improve your chances of successfully finding a partner that meets your unique needs.

• Establish boundaries as soon as possible- What sort of things do you want and/or expect from your partner and what do you have to offer in return? How do you like to be treated by your partner? Do you have any deal breakers? Are you looking for commitment or are you only interested in dating on more casual terms? You can save yourself and your partner a whole lot of wasted time and energy by answering these questions for each other from the start. If it seems that respecting each other’s boundaries might be a challenge for one or both of you, then your best bet would be to consider this a red flag and move on to the next dating candidate.
  
  
• Embrace authenticity - As tempting as it might be to try and impress your partner by putting up a front and/or downplaying your flaws, keep in mind that pretenses can be very challenging to maintain and are often (though not always intentionally) exposed as the relationship progresses. Give your partner an opportunity to get to know and care for the person that you really are rather than for the person that you think he/she may be looking for. Being yourself from the start allows you to accurately determine whether or not you and your partner are genuinely compatible.
  
  
• Always play it safe - Personal safety should be your number one priority when dating someone new. Be cautious about giving out too many personal details to somebody who you are just getting to know. Make sure to schedule your dates in public places and always let a trusted friend or family member know exactly where you are going and what you know about the person you are going with. If you choose to be sexually active with a new partner, it is absolutely critical that you always use protection and take every possible precaution to protect both your physical and emotional health.