The Second- Date Rule: It Will Change Your Love Life!

- Emily Johnson

We put so much energy into first dates. We chat on apps, exchange witty SMSs and eventually (hopefully) meet in person. “People get so fixated on the first date, but that’s just a quick look,” says Helen Fisher, Chief Scientific Adviser to match.com. But we were surprised to learn that, in many ways, date two is much more meaningful than we ever thought. “That’s when you start to learn about your shared interests, ideas and goals—things that can knit people together,” says Fisher.

Why ‘Date Two’ Matters

Fact: first dates usually aren’t amazing—and they’re not heinous either. They’re in the middle. And because we’re not totally swept off our feet, we’ll often just move on without planning to meet again. Well, know this: guys who are serious about finding love (read: not just a hook-up) are willing to put in that extra time.

According to match.com’s survey, single men and women looking for commitment are 74% more likely to give a date a second chance. Plus,half of men and women believe that someone from a just-okay first date can ‘grow on them’. “When you first meet someone, you tend to put emphasis on the tiniest details. Your date might say one dumb thing and you assume he or she isn’t smart. But the more you get to know a person, the more you get to like them,” Fisher says. “When it comes to dating, you may be focused on thinking of reasons to say ‘no’. But a smarter dating strategy may be to think of reasons to say ‘yes’.”

Wait For It...