Datecover Magazine

What's next after Valentine's Day

Ladies, with another tick on the calendar and a feather in your cap, another Valentine’s Day is behind you. If you were one of the lucky ones to have a date this past Valentine’s Day, I hope you enjoyed it. If you were one of the sour ones to be single on this day of love, well, I’m sorry. It can’t always be rainbows and butterflies but at least you’re a member of DateCover.com – step one toward finding your perfect match.

With 364 days until next Valentine’s Day, I figured id share a couple of statistics with you. Some of them are fascinating and some of them completely useless. The point of me sharing this with you is to simply say: chivalry is not dead, love will always be king, and Valentine’s Day still reigns supreme as the most romantic day of the year!

- If you live in America, you’ll be happy (or sad) to know that 7.6 out of every 10 people celebrated Valentine’s Day. That’s 76% of the total population… or… 228,000,000- MILLION people. If that’s true, then that means there are only 72-million people who are currently single. Of that 72-million people you can blanket guess that 1.4 million live in each of the 50 states. What state do you live in? What city do you live in within your state? Quality single men and women are few and far between, and clearly they’re hard to find. I’d call anybody who doesn’t date online in this modern age absolutely crazy.

- The total number of Greetings Cards exchanged for Valentine’s Day was over One Hundred and Ninety Million! This puts Valentine’s Day second to only Christmas for the greatest number of cards sent.

- Seventy Three percent of all men who had a date on Valentine’s Day gave their date flowers or a bouquet.

- There are One Hundred and Nineteen single men in their 20’s for every One Hundred single women in their twenties. The odds are stacked in your favor ladies…

- The Very first Valentine’s Day box of chocolates was created and sold by Richard Cadbury in 1868. Giving Chocolates on Valentine’s Day is a One Hundred and Forty Four year old tradition.

- Did you know that the most famous romance story of Romeo and Juliet was set in the city of Verona in Italy? Every year on February 14th, there are about One Thousand letters mailed from all over the world to Verona Italy, addressed to Juliet. Awww! <3

- Valentine’s Day has been around for a very long time, and it’s still going strong. The very first Valentine’s Day card was sent as far back as the year 1415AD! That’s 597 years ago… long time!

- Three Percent of all pet owners bought a Valentine’s Day gift for their pet this past Valentine’s Day. It is my hope you didn’t fall into this category…

Unless you live under a giant rock or twenty thousand leagues under the sea you’ve probably realized by now that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.  For a lot couples Valentine’s Day is super stressful, forced, and something of a nuisance.  For other couples it’s romantic, passionate and full of endless love.  Regardless, it’s safe to say that couples are real busy every February 14^th.

But what about the millions of singles across the globe who currently are dateless?  What are they supposed to do on Valentine’s Day?   Millions of women across the globe are banding together for “I Hate Valentine’s Day” parties while millions of guys are reading reviews on which strip clubs give the best lap dance.  Do you want to be a part of that crowd?  It is my hope you do not.

Here is some food for thought: Would you ever consider going on a first date with somebody for Valentine’s Day?  Think about it for a second, because I’m serious.  First date. First time meeting. Big time Valentine’s Day date!  Would you do it?  Sure it would feel a little strange, but don’t you think it be fun to bask in the glory of the awkwardness?  I think it would be incredible!

Consider this: First dates are always stressful, so why not take the stress out of the first date and use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to relieve the pressure?  Genius!

I challenge every single person to get on your favorite free online dating website right now and find a date for Valentine’s Day.  Nobody wants to be alone on Valentine’s Day.  It’s the easiest day of the year to find a date!

When it comes time to plan the dinner date venue, pick the cheesiest and clique thing you can think of, and just do it!  Men: show up for the date with a rose and chocolates.  Women dress up in your best little black dress and be ready to impress.  Go out for that nice dinner and live in the peculiarity of everything around you.

Every time you say something silly, or do something lame on the date because you’re nervous, you can blame it on Valentine’s Day.  You also have implied permission to flirt, to touch her hand, and to show off your romantic side. After all, that is what Valentine’s Day is for, isn’t it?

The beauty of this is that pretty soon, if there is any sort of chemistry between you and your date, you’ll both be surrounded by so much love that you’ll quickly be disarmed into thinking you’re both truly on a real Valentine’s Day date.  All the funny will go away and out of nowhere the pretending will stop.  Live in that state of surreal reality as long as you can because these are the moments you’ll never forget.  Many long lasting relationships have formed during moments like these, an unbreakable foundation.

Maybe the date will end in bedroom glory, or maybe it will end with a nice smile and a kiss.  Whatever the case, it sure beats bashing Valentine’s Day with your girlfriends, catching STD’s at the strip club with your bros, or watching re-run’s of the Wonder Years on Netflix at home by yourself.

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday.

Okay, I admit it.  Valentine’s Day was created by greetings card companies to give people a reason to spend over $15 billion dollars on trying to show their loved one just how much they’re appreciated and loved.  Valentine’s Day is a text book success story for capitalism to the power of $15 billion.   No matter how much research you do, you’ll be hard pressed to find the roots of Valentine’s Day in “Love.”  Still, it can’t be all bad, can it?

There are more arguments out there that bash Valentine’s Day than those that love it, and I can understand why.  First of all, Valentine’s Day is not a holiday.  You still have to go to work.  Secondly, celebrating Valentine’s Day is not an option.  Either you step up and do something for your significant other or resign yourself to deadbeat status by her and all her girlfriends for a month.  Finally, especially for those sentimental people out there, the real kicker is the gifts you’re required to buy are pre-determined and thoughtless.  Valentine’s Day has made Love a compulsory demonstration of something materialistic and that is just sad.  Since when has something materialistic ever expressed true love?

Shakespeare described what true love should be best with his quote in King Lear:

I love you more than words can wield the matter;
Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty;
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor;
As much as child ever loved, or father found;
A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable;
Beyond all manner of so much I love you.

Take note he did not say, “I love you so I spent some money on 1800flowers.com.”

Is Cupid really the enemy?

If not even Shakespeare, the great poet and playwright, could describe the magnitude of love through words, how are you going to do that through a $4.99 box of chocolates?  You cannot.  Love is an emotion and something to be expressed that is unique to each individual, and each couple.  This is why Valentine’s Day, according to many people, is stupid.

I however completely disagree.  I love Valentine’s Day.  I think its awesome and here’s why.  You’re pretty much guaranteed to “Get It On” during Valentine’s Day.  If you’re with a boyfriend, girlfriend, or whatever, you don’t even have to do very much to get it.  Just show up with flowers or a box of chocolates from your local gas station and you’re a winner.  It is pretty much a done deal.

The point is I believe Valentine’s Day is a way for you to connect with your partner during a time where the world gives you time, space and opportunity to do it.  All you have to do is step up and I think that’s awesome.  Sure, you can celebrate Valentine’s Day the other 364 days of year, but for this one day, the whole world comes together just for you to achieve your goal.   It’s like the gods, AKA Cupid, is shining down upon you and manipulating the universe for your pleasure!

For those of you without a boyfriend or girlfriend, you’re still pretty much guaranteed a lay.  Just walk into any bar at 11:30pm and say something to the dozens of people looking and hoping to find somebody to spend the evening with.

Remember, no matter how much someone tells you they hate Valentine’s Day they would rather share it with someone than be alone.  So, what are you waiting for?  Do you have a date lined up for Valentine’s Day?  If not, logon to your favorite free online dating website right now and start online dating with the thousands of singles looking to spend the night with someone like you.

It’s the easiest day of the year to find a date.

Good luck!

Dating myths busted!

As we approach the greatest holiday of the year, Valentine’s Day, we’d like to bust a couple of caps in a few myths about online dating!  Even though we clearly live in a digital age, and people do everything online from buying airline tickets to planting a potato in Bangladesh, I’m struck by how many persistent myths remain about the greatest tool available to singles of all time.  We’ve compiled the top 7 excuses the naysayer uses to keep themselves out of the modern age and in suck in the dating dark ages.  Do your friends believe in these myths?  Or worse, do you?  Share this article with all the dummies in your life, and for goodness sake, dump them in time for Valentine’s Day!

Myth #1:  Online Dating is For Losers
Online dating is quite simply an activity done by hundreds of millions of people.  The audience is global and diverse.  The vast majorities of these people are good looking, successful, educated, and are simply looking to meet new friends or form romantic relationships.  Does that describe a loser?  You’ll be interested to know that 1 in every 4 relationships this year will start online.  Does that mean 1 in every 4 Americans is a loser, or could YOU be the loser?

I just gave this myth a beat down!

Myth #2:  Online Dating is TOO Expensive

To some people online dating CAN be expensive, that is, if you join pay services, or if you consider having an internet connection expensive.  If you fall into this category here is an idea: don’t join a pay online dating service, and visit internet cafes in your city that offer free internet connections.   Through quality websites like DateCover.com and a free internet connection, online dating is 100% Free one hundred percent of the time to 100% of the global population.

Myth, Busted!

Myth #3:  I Don’t Need Help Finding Someone to Date
Oh yeah?  Are you sure?  Are thousands of single men or women lining up outside your door to date you?  Trust me; you’re still single for a reason.  It’s an extreme challenge to meet somebody in this day and age that you truly click with.  You don’t have to stop going to the same bar every weekend and spending a ton of money in hope that somebody new you like will show up.  Go ahead and keep doing that.  Just realize that the world is an enormous place with billions of people on it.   We think exploring the world of online dating can only help.  Don’t you?

Hey Myth, kiss my ass.

Myth #4:  Everybody Online Lies
In many cases, this is true but it has nothing to do with online dating.  Do you really think that guy or gal you met at the bar last night is really an Oil Tycoon from Alaska?  Did that British accent sound a little fake to you?  People lie and exaggerate the truth all the time no matter if it’s online or in real life.  There is only reason they do this, and it’s to impress you, or have you like them more.  In a way, you should be flattered.  Of course, always keep your guard up.  Quality singles do not lie.

What’s wrong with your Myth? It’s broken.

Myth #5:  I’m Not Desperate Enough to Online Date
Desperate?  What are you talking about?  People who date online are not desperate either.  The people who you see dating online are the same people you see on the street, or at work.  They may even be members of your own family.  All these people are doing is taking advantage of an amazing tool designed to help them find their perfect match.  If anything, their way of searching for love is a lot more efficient than yours.  If you don’t online date, you must be the guy in the corner using an abacus while the rest of the world is using calculators.

Do the Math.  Myth is a #fail

Myth #6:  Online Dating is Dangerous
This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.  How can you call dating online dangerous?  It is the only tool I am aware of that gives you the opportunity to learn about somebody from a distance.  You can figure out where someone lives, where they work, their living situation, share videos, photos, talk, chat, email and never EVER reveal your identity to them until you decide to meet.  How is that more dangerous than meeting somebody at a bar?  There is an inherent danger to everything we do in life like taking a shower, or walking across a street.  Online Dating doesn’t rank very high on the dangerous category.

What a stupid Myth.

Myth #7:  You Cannot Figure Somebody Out Online
Did you know that most people try to be somebody they are not when you meet someone for the first time?  If I’m attracted to you and you tell me you are an animal lover, I’m going to tell you that I love animals too.  I’m not going to tell you that I frequently hunt rare and endangered species for sport; I’m going to say whatever I can to make you like me.  Online is different because we all start from the same place: an online dating profile.  On good dating websites profiles are detailed enough for you to get a quick snapshot of a personality in 2.5 seconds.  From the colors they customize to the activities they list as Likes, it’s an honest personality resume with a lot of detailed information.  You can even search for people by location, physical appearance, values, lifestyles, income etc.  Of course, you can’t completely figure somebody out online, but it’s a darn sight better than trying to figure somebody out in a bar!

This Myth is as dead as a doornail, and so is your love life if you believe any of these myths.

What is your New Year's Resolution?

One of the most popular aspects of a new year is the influx of New Year’s resolutions to the world.  I’m sure you’ve heard and even considered many New Year’s resolutions of your own.  Maybe you plan to lose weight, or perhaps you’re going to make the commitment to finally get into shape?  Unfortunately, it is a scientific fact that 88% of people who make these resolutions fail.  Those who plan to lose weight don’t stick with it, and those who try to get into shape settle with the fact that round is a shape!

It is my suggestion that instead of a drastic New Year’s resolution, you take this opportunity to try and improve yourself on an ongoing basis.  Here are seven self-improvement tips we recommend you explore in the New Year, and throughout 2012.

7. Better Communication Skills.
Unless you’re a total hermit (which is a self improvement issue all within itself) you can benefit from better communication skills.  I say that because communication is the corner stone of society as we know it.  Ask your friends, family or spouse, children or boss if you have room for improvement in that area and request they be specific.  Maybe you’d be more effective if you learned to scale back in an opinioned discussion and try to listen more?  On the flip side maybe you have some compelling thoughts to share but miss out by keeping them to yourself? Whatever the case may be, improved communication skills can have a positive impact at home and in the business world.  As Goldilocks and the Three Bears would say, we want your communications skills to be juuuuust right!

6. Give A Little, Get A Lot.
It only takes one person to make a difference and you need to realize that simple difference from one person can change lives.  In the New Year, think about how you can give back to your peers, the homeless, and other charities that are important to you.  You don’t have to give money if you don’t want to, instead think about how you can contribute on a personal, active level.  Consider collecting donations from your office or lobby your school do some community service.  If you hit a roadblock in your quest to help, don’t worry. For every group of people that isn’t interested in helping there is another group of people who will.  You’ll also be super popular because charity and giving is super cool.

5. Forgive And Forget
If you’ve been holding a nasty grudge against someone close to you, or even someone who isn’t close to you, use the new year as a time to let it go.  Resentment is like a poison that festers into other aspects of your life.  The most crumby thing about resentment is the awful feeling you’re experiencing isn’t even affecting the other person.  If self improvement is important to you, realize that you alone hold the key to salvation.  Forgive, then forget.  You’ll feel happier about it and lighter too.  Nobody likes to carry around a burden… except Ebenezer Scrooge.  And we don’t like him!

4. Live Without Fear
Fear, not money, is the root of all evil.  Fear leads to everything from missed opportunities, injuries in sport, and even global wars!  There isn’t a way to completely rid yourself of fear, but how you deal with situations you find fearful is something you can control.  If you refuse to let fear stand in your way and say Yes when you would normally say No, you’ll be surprised just how much you’re capable of achieving.  The sky is your limit!  Speaking of the sky, if Wilber and Orville Wright did not decide to conquer humanities fear of flying, would we have airplanes?  Think about it…

3. Go Back to School!
As they say, knowledge is power.  This fact could not be truer in today’s world.  With the economy in a perpetual state of uncertainty and the job market as fiercely competitive as ever, giving yourself the edge over your peers through education will help you succeed in life over and over again.  If your career isn’t something you want to learn about, you don’t have to. Instead, study a hobby of yours and get more out of your interests.  Learn about Science!  Law!  Healthcare!  Expand your brain and expand your horizons.  If you go back to school you literally have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

2. Dare To Love.
There are a lot of single people out there in the big bad world who have given up on love.  Maybe you’ve been hurt, or maybe you just can’t seem to find the motivation to date.  Tip number 2 is a challenge to find that motivation!  Make no mistake; you deserve to love and to be loved in return.  What if you never learned how to ride a bike because you were afraid of falling?  How sad would that be?  Loving is no different.  Open your heart. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Allow someone to love you back.  Whatever happens, you’re in for a wild ride!  As they say, better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

1. Join A Free Online Dating Website!
Whatever your motivation, joining an online dating website opens your small world into a chasm of opportunity!  Through online dating you get to meet a new friend, find a pen pal, go on a few dates, or perhaps even find the love of your life.  Dating online is so much more than finding your match; it is an opportunity to grow as a person while you learn more about yourself and the world around you.  One in every 4 relationships these days start online.  Whomever you don’t marry will likely become a friend, or at the minimum give you interesting memories to look back upon.  In 2012, join a dating website, tell a friend about it, and go enjoy yourself.