Bowes-Lyon Partnership's Little Black Book

http://www.bowes-lyonpartnership.co.uk/little-black-book.php

What is the Bowes-Lyon Little Black Book (LBB)?
The LBB is Bowes-Lyon Partnership’s one stop shop for anyone looking for recommended premium products and services. Bowes-Lyon Partnership Ltd. is constantly on the lookout for unique companies offering quality and premium products and services to recommend not just to our valued members but to anyone. We personally vet each company in order to be able to vouch for their professionalism and quality. But if you want to benefit from the special offers and discounts then you’ll have to join Bowes-Lyon Partnership as they’re for members only!

So who is in our Little Black Book?
Premium products and services that provide exceptional and tailored customer service and good value for money.

What if I want to be in the LBB?
If you own, run or work for a company that provides a premium product or service and you would like to appear in Bowes-Lyon Partnership’s LBB, then get in touch! But remember, you’ll need to pass the vetting procedure – premium quality, great customer service and good value for money! Companies are featured on our website with a direct link to their site promoting themselves to our high calibre, influential clientele. We also produce a quarterly newsletter that features different companies that we are affiliated with, this goes out to our entire database and all of our affiliates and offers added exposure for your company. Do contact Hayley or Natalie for more information.

Tel: 020 7152 6011
Website: http://www.bowes-lyonpartnership.co.uk/index.php
Email: info@bowes-lyonpartnership.co.uk
Twitter: @BowesLyonLtd
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bowes-Lyon-Partnership/463603850359
LinkedIn: Natalie Bystram or Hayley Bystram

Get a Relationship Off to a Great Start...

Finding a potential partner isn’t without its challenges, so once you have found someone who you have a mutual fondness for, it’s really important to get a relationship off to a strong start and keep the momentum going. It can often be the case that when a couple get together, they have spent significant time without a partner so it’s easy to see how challenges could arise from individuals being a little ‘stuck in their ways’. Bowes-Lyon Partnership believes there are a few key points to keep in mind when embarking on a new relationship that should help to get things off to a great start.

1. Be open-minded to new hobbies/pastimes
If your new partner shares different interests to you, see this as a bonus, rather than a clash. A relationship should be about getting to know someone, having fun and experiencing new things. If your partner shares some different interests to you, embrace this and get involved. You could even find a new hobby for yourself, but failing that, it’s always appreciated if someone takes an interest in your interests so be open minded to getting involved in your partner’s hobbies and pastimes.

2. Keep your independence
The independence you had when you met your new partner would have been part and parcel of what attracted them to you in the first place. Try not to slip into the trap of losing your independence when embarking on a new relationship. You will want to spend time getting to know each other, but ensure this doesn’t take over your life and mean you begin to miss out on your usual lunch with friends or playing tennis each week with your neighbour. Losing your independence could easily mean the beginning of the end of a new relationship as it will put unnecessary pressure on both parties. So make time in your life for your new relationship but try not to replace what was important to you before you met.

3. Communicate, but don’t over-communicate
A really important element of any relationship is communicating your needs and desires. If you’re in a new relationship, your partner probably won’t know you particularly well or certainly in the capacity as a partner rather than a friend. So how are they going to know unless you tell them? Be comfortable speaking about your needs and desires, your hopes and fears. But remember, everything in moderation. Its key not to avoid communicating with your new partner for fear of scaring them off, but equally, remember not to over-communicate, let it happen naturally and you won’t go far wrong.

4. Have realistic expectations
Remember you’re in a new relationship so it’s important to take things at a steady pace, after all you are still getting to know each other. Give each other space and time to get used to the new relationship and try not to pitch your expectations too high too soon. Your relationship will evolve over time, a process that will be far more natural if allowed to develop at its own pace rather than rushing in to anything too soon. Leave moving in together until you are both completely comfortable, try not to rush through the exciting early days and rush into settling in to a routine. A new relationship should be fun and relaxed, there’s plenty of time for to take it to the next level.

Hayley & Natalie Bystram are the founders and directors of Bowes-Lyon Partnership Ltd., a London-based, exclusive, international introductions company specialising in bringing together successful, like-minded individuals. For more information, please see their website www.bowes-lyonpartnership.co.uk or call 020 7152 6011.

Where to find your perfect match...?

These days finding your perfect match can often feel like fighting a losing battle. There are numerous reasons as to why this is. Many often find that in days gone past, the social setting was more conducive to finding a partner – people attended more functions (like dances!), spent more time with friends and family and generally engaged in a more community driven lifestyle. But in today’s fast paced world, where a vast amount of communication is done through cyber space, by text or over the phone, relationships (even platonic ones) are forged in a very different way, which does not necessarily lend itself to the development of long term committed relationships. However, there are still a plethora of ways and means of meeting a potential partner and below, Bowes-Lyon Partnership has explored a few of these for you...

1. Internet dating
Internet dating has provided a great, inexpensive gateway to meeting new people. But with the success rate standing at just 10%, it’s unfortunately not a sure-fire way of finding your perfect match. Internet dating provides a large pool of people so surely it stands to reason that your perfect match must be there somewhere? This could be true, but profiles are often written about the person the writer wants to be rather than who they actually are, which makes sense, with so many people to chose from, everyone must sell themselves in the best light alongside their most flattering picture (even if it was taken 10 years ago!) to get the cut through they need if they are going to stand out from the crowd.

2. Hobbies
When single, it’s easy for the pull of the sofa, after a long day at work, to be irresistible in comparison to finding the energy to take part in a hobby. Finding one or two hobbies you enjoy, whether this be cookery, team sports, wine tasting or perhaps a cultural pastime, is a great way to meet new people and share something in common with them. Experiencing new things and taking some time to enjoy life will help keep your confidence high and open up doors to meeting new and interesting individuals.

3. Socialising
Meeting a potential partner on a night out, initially seems like it could be one of the best options – spirits are high, people are chatting, they often make an effort with their appearance but still, meeting people in a situation like this isn’t as easy as it seems. Individuals often spend time with a group of friends on a night out, so approaching someone in this situation can be a little daunting and even feel a little cheap. Also, if you’ve been enjoying a drink or two, there’s always the judgement (or lack of it) to take in to consideration too!

4. Friends of friends
Most single people have friends who very kindly recommend their friends as a potential partner, which can be a great way to meet people. Give this a go, let your friends invite you to a dinner party where they may have also invited another single friend along whom they believe you may like, after all they should be a fairly good judge of your character by now. But it’s important to be honest with you friend up front about the type of person you’re looking for and also that if there isn’t a spark between you and the friend there’ll be no hard feelings!

5. Exclusive introduction agency
As an exclusive introduction agency, Bowes-Lyon Partnership works with often well educated, financially independent individuals. We would meet with you for an informal meeting to find out what makes you tick, what you like and dislike and what qualities you’re looking for in a partner for example. We then do all of the ground work for you, matching people with people rather than profiles with profiles. There is no sifting through unsuitable profiles or meeting people who turn out to be someone quite different to what you expected as is often the case with internet dating. The process is taken completely at your pace and we work closely with your feedback to refine the introductions we put forwards for your consideration, which is one of the reasons why our success rate is over 70%. An exclusive introduction agency like Bowes-Lyon Partnership, isn’t for everyone as there is obviously a financial as well as the emotional and time investment to consider, but if you’re serious about finding a long term committed relationship, our membership should be thought of as an investment in your future.

Hayley & Natalie Bystram are the founders and directors of Bowes-Lyon Partnership Ltd., a London-based, exclusive, international introductions company specialising in bringing together successful, like-minded individuals. For more information, please see their website www.bowes-lyonpartnership.co.uk or call 020 7152 6011.

What to consider when looking for a potential partner

What to consider when looking for your ideal partner is something that is individual to everyone. There really are no rights and wrongs, but if you have been single and searching for over a year, at Bowes-Lyon Partnership we always recommend revisiting what you take into consideration when meeting new potential matches. The last thing anybody wants is to pass opportunities by for the sake of a list of rigid criteria.

Age
Men in particular often (not always!) feel they should date ladies younger than them. This could be due to them wanting to have children but it is often the case that they have a preconceived view that ladies who are much younger than them will be more youthful in spirit as well as looks. This may be generally true, but if you are one of these men, remember not to automatically discount ladies who are the same age as you or even older, it doesn’t automatically mean they won’t have a youthful sprit or looks – make opinions about each person as you meet them, rather than before.

Hobbies
If a potential partner doesn’t share the same hobbies as you, try not to automatically discount him or her on this basis. One of the most exciting things about relationships is sharing new experiences with someone else. Be open to trying new things and going to new places. A relationship with someone who will enable you to experience different things can only serve to broaden your horizons.

Shyness
Many people who are normally outgoing individuals can come across as rather shy on the first few dates. Try not to judge these individuals too soon as it will often be the case that they will come out of their shell given a little time and you may be surprised that by your third date, he or she has a subtle wit that has you in stitches for hours!

Desire to have children
Finding out if someone wants to have children is not recommended on a first date or first encounter, it can be very easy to scare people away or give the wrong impression if you enquire too soon. Try not to assume someone doesn’t want to have children due to their lifestyle or perhaps the fact they simply don’t mention them. Many people are open to having children if they meet the right partner. Try to get to know someone first before allowing such thoughts to pop into your head.

Appearance
Being physically attractive to your partner is obviously a key element with almost everyone. But remember not to hold this quality above all others as it will be the other qualities that will see you through the highs and lows of any relationship rather than a person’s looks. So whilst looks are important to enable you to feel attracted to someone, be mindful they do not dwarf all the other attributes a potential partner may have.

The Good the Bad & The Ugly of Online Dating!

Bowes-Lyon are doing some research on on-line dating. We've started off the 'The Good, The Bad & The Ulgy' list below but would really welcome any comments, ideas, experiences that you or maybe your friends have had that can be added to these!

Keep an eye out for the top 10 'Good, Bad and Uglies' once we've collated all your comments!

THE GOOD...
1) Access to potentially millions of singles in the same boat as you - giving you access to a large pool of people and therefore increasing your chances.
2) Discover matches based on criteria - you can search based on location, occupation, looks etc.
3) Low cost - pay by month or get a cheaper rate by signing up for longer.

THE BAD...
1) Reveal yourself to the world - Could 'John' from accounts see my profile?!
2) Men seem to greatly outnumber the women - Great for Women, bad for men!
3) Misrepresentation - Dave, 6'1", athletic build and brown hair, turns out to be 'Kevin', 5'5", used to have brown hair & has clearly overindulged in a few too many kebabs recently tipping the scales into the clinically obese arena...!

AND THE UGLY...
1) The profiles could in fact be anyone - could you even be opening yourself up to those with a criminal record?
2) Marital status may say 'single' but there seem to be an awful lot of married people on those 'single' sites!
3) Identity theft - you've got your name, your date of birth and often lots of other references to personal info that could be used to steal your identity...

There must be so many more, let us know if you've got anything to add to The Good, The Bad & The Ugly!

Bowes-Lyon Partnership - Why Do Men Want to Date Significantly Younger Women?

As owners of the UKs exclusive dating agency, Bowes-Lyon Partnership Ltd, we always strive to at the very least meet the criteria and preferences of our members. We work with well educated, often hard working professionals all of whom are looking for a long term committed relationship. They join Bowes-Lyon Partnership to benefit from the individually tailored approach we offer to introduce them to their like minded equal. But it’s fair to say there is one particular criteria that we are often asked by some of our male members who are in their early to mid fifties, which can prove a little challenging....there is a common desire to find a partner who is at least 15 years younger than they are...

The reason this is often a challenge is that ladies in their late thirties are generally looking to find a partner 5 years either side of their own age. Perhaps they would like to have children and they are often in the middle of a demanding career – areas we frequently find our gentlemen in their early to mid fifties are not necessarily so focused on.

So why do some men want their partner to be significantly younger?

Obviously every man is different, so the reasons vary as to why some gentlemen want a younger partner. But our experience tells us these reasons tend to fall in to one of three groups:

It’s common for members in their early to mid fifties to have come out of a long term relationship or marriage and as the Office of National Statistics shows, there is an over-index of divorce rates for those in their fifties. We hear time and time again that once the children have flown the nest and couples only have each other to focus on at home that cracks can begin to appear and marriages or relationships can break down even after many years. So we find that there are gentlemen in their early to mid fifties who are keen to move away from the age that perhaps their ex-partner was, which tends to be similar to their age. So rather than looking to meet someone older than they are, they want to meet someone younger...

Another common reason we find that gentlemen are looking for a significantly younger partner is their own vibrancy and thirst for life. Many have established, successful careers and are looking to readjust their work/life balance in favour of more free time to finally enjoy the things they love. So most of our male members are fit, active, vibrant and young at heart individuals who look and feel much younger than they are and so they are seeking a partner who is like-minded in attitude and looks. It is common to automatically associate someone who is significantly younger with these traits.

Another reason, which isn’t relevant for all men, is that some gentlemen enjoy being depended upon. It’s largely within the genetic make-up of men to be the ‘hunter gatherer’, the one who provides and leads. So it stands to reason that an older gentleman will generally have more life experience, be more established within a career and so want someone who to a certain extent looks up to him, respects him and makes him feel needed again.

But interestingly, it is often the case that we introduce gentlemen to younger ladies and it is then that we find they realise their priorities were perhaps incorrectly set as they have fewer things in common than they would like. Ladies in their late thirties tend to be at the peak of their careers and/or perhaps have young children or want young children whereas gentleman in the early to mid fifties, to a large extent have already ‘been there and done that’. Simple things such as taste in music and socialising can vary dramatically with a significant age gap and it invariably ends up that both parties do not have interests that they can experience and share together.

At Bowes-Lyon Partnership we find that gentleman that come to us requesting significantly younger women as introductions, very quickly reassess their priorities and realise themselves that what they think they want is not something that will make them happy. Their desire to find an equal that is on the same wavelength and has the same interests as them becomes much more important and their ideal age in a partner curiously increases!!

Destined to be 'left of the shelf'...?

Dear Hayley & Natalie,

I’m 31 yrs old and recently split up with my partner of 4 yrs. 90% of the time, we got on really well, enjoyed each other’s company, had a similar sense of humour and enjoyed similar things in life. The remaining 10% of the time we clashed over our different outlooks on the future.

We both have successful careers in London, but the future that I saw for us was eventually one of marriage and children. I was happy to wait a few more years for children but not too long as I don’t want to be an older mum. My partner seemed to have a real aversion towards even getting married let alone having children. He eventually seemed to come round to the idea of marriage and even potentially children but made it fairly clear that any children would be my responsibility. I’m from a family where both my mum and dad were equally hands on and this is what I really expect out of parenting. His parents split up when he was young and his mother’s subsequent relationship also didn’t work out so I don’t know whether his reluctance to get married and have children and his views on bringing up children were due to this.

It became such a bone of contention between us that eventually after numerous break ups and getting back togethers, we finally called it a day and split up 6 months ago. But now I find myself in a situation where I’m more miserable than ever. Most of my friends are either married, getting married, have children or are pregnant, which has become a constant reminder of what I so desperately want but don’t even nearly have.

I make a real effort to get out there and meet new people and I’ve even tried internet dating to absolutely no avail. I’ve done that many ‘extra curricular’ past times I don't know whether I'm coming or going! On the one hand I’ve developed new skills, which is great, but on the other hand I now feel even more frustrated and disappointed that none of my efforts to meet a guy who I like as much as my ex are paying off, as I still find myself completely and utterly single! I’m told I’m attractive, I’m fit and healthy, have a good career, own my own flat and car and have lots of lovely friends but for some reason I’ve not even come close to meeting the right guy. I’m terrified if I don’t meet the right person within the next year, that getting married and being a young-ish mum just isn’t going to happen for me, which is a thought that brings me to tears. I really need some advice...

Abigail

Dear Abigail

Your situation is something we hear regularly in our line of work so you’re not alone. London in particular can be a very lonely place, which seems strange, as presumably, the larger the town or city surely the more ‘fish’ there are in the sea? But it can be like entering the twilight zone living in London, people tend to have an established social set and mixing between social sets doesn’t happen as often as you might think, which means meeting new people can be a real challenge.

We feel you have absolutely made the right decision by making the break from your partner, it’s a brave decision and not everyone is brave enough to do the right thing, so good on you. You may even start to have doubts as to whether you should have split up because just 10% of your relationship wasn’t in tune, but it’s important to remember, that 10% was an extremely important 10%. It’s absolutely true to say, you will never meet someone who is 100% right, because nobody is perfect. We believe if you find someone who is 75% right, then you’re on to a winner! But within that 75% needs to be a shared view on broadly where your joint future lies, otherwise you risk a future of you both pulling in opposite directions. We don’t usually use quotes but Sam Keen’s quote fits rather well here: “We come to love, not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly”.

You are absolutely on the right path, getting yourself out there, trying new things and meeting new people, so please keep doing this, but ensure you’re doing all this with the right mindset. Remember not to flit from one hobby to another dipping in and out and making a quick assessment that there isn’t anyone there for you and so move on to the next hobby. The most successful relationships aren’t often the ones based on love at first sight, give men a chance, get to know them and try not to compare every man to your ex - you won’t find a carbon copy of him in another man, who also includes all the bits about shared views of the future! Be open to meeting someone who is completely and utterly different to your ex, we don’t mean lower your standards, just start noticing men that you may not have noticed before.

It will almost certainly seem like a long time since you split from your partner, but really, at least the first 2 or 3 months you were probably still largely getting over your relationship. Give yourself time, enjoy being single and why not be a little bit selfish, indulge yourself and do the things you may not have had the chance to do until now. Remember not to put yourself under time pressure as when we do this it’s easy to make incorrect decisions or not notice someone who could be a great match for you.

Good luck and please keep us posted Abigail…




If anyone would like to add anything to this, please do…

Bowes-Lyon Partnership - Conversation Advice for a First Date

Some people take like a duck to water when striking up conversations on a date and others find it a little more challenging, even if they are normally the life and sole of the dinner party. There is a plethora of advice on conversation starters out there, but most in the form of lists of questions to fire at your date or suggestions about telling jokes! At Bowes-Lyon Partnership, we feel we have more to offer than this...

Bowes-Lyon Partnership Ltd. is an elite dating agency run by sisters Hayley and Natalie Bystram. Their exclusive introductions company has a large database of accomplished, intelligent, attractive professionals but as Hayley & Natalie suggest, even the successful and experienced sometimes need a helping hand with dating conversation starters. Whilst there is no fool-proof or guaranteed methods to ensuring a successful date there are a number of conversation starters that could prove very helpful to bear in mind...

1) The power of ‘FORE’
Family, Occupation, Recreation, Education (FORE) - conversations around these four topics work with every person. No matter what your background, lifestyle or personality, almost everyone has something to say about these areas. This is a great starting point and enables you to delve deeper to find out more!

2) The highs & lows of your day
Although it’s great to always focus on the positives, you can turn the negatives in to an interesting conversation. Remember to keep an air of humour and light-heartedness about any negatives; so even though you may have lost your phone and broken your heel on the way to work, follow it up with how you now have the perfect excuse to buy those shoes you’ve had your eye on for a month now!

3) Follow up on what your date is saying
You’d be surprised at how many people ask great questions but then don’t listen to the reply. Your dates answers give you the perfect opportunity to move on to other topics, remember your aim is to get the flow of interesting conversation going rather than firing questions at your date in the style of a job interview!

4) Recall your past conversations...
Even if it’s your first date, you can highlight what you talked about on the phone when you were organising the date. Remember to file away snippets of information that you previously talked about, perhaps what your date had done that day, eg: ‘you mentioned on the phone you had a big presentation to do last week, how did it go?’ Or, ‘You were talking about booking that holiday, where did you go for in the end?’

5) Keep your expectations real
You’re going on a date, not walking down the aisle! Treat the experience as you are meeting a new friend, if you hit it off, great, but if you don’t then it’s just not meant to be.

Bowes-Lyon Partnership - Dating Do’s and Don’ts

Welcome to Bowes-Lyon Partnerships second round of hints and tips designed to help anyone who is currently dating or thinking of dating!

With today’s balanced equality amongst the genders, the usual rules of dating are becoming increasingly blurred, who pays for the bill, who calls who first, who decides where to go and what to do? Whilst there is no fool-proof or guaranteed methods to ensuring a successful date there are a number of do’s and don’ts Bowes-Lyon Partnership believes everyone should follow:

1) Who pays for the bill?
There has always been a lot of debate surrounding this question. Some women prefer men to act out the chivalrous role whereas other women are very independent and do not like to be paid for. As a general rule however, whoever arranges the date should expect to pick up the bill. For the purposes of maintaining the balance of equality, it’s a nice gesture to offer to pay for the popcorn if he has paid for the cinema tickets!

2) Where to meet
Think carefully about the venue you chose to meet your date, it’s a must to make a first date in a public place, so leave romantic one-on-ones for later in the relationship. It’s a great idea to choose a place you’re familiar with so that you don’t feel uncomfortable if you get there earlier than your date. But equally, remember to be respectful of your dates wishes, the focus is to get to know them, not to hang out at your favourite bar!

3) It’s a date not a therapy session!
It’s important to find out about each other when dating, but early on in your relationship is not always the ideal time to disclose your life story, leave any ‘baggage’ at home. Talking about your ex, your dislike of a work colleague or details of your last visit to the Doctor are not appropriate topics of conversation.

4) Don’t answer the mobile phone!
It’s very rude to answer your phone on a date, it will portray that you are bored and uninterested. Switch the phone off before meeting your date!

5) Be yourself
Act natural and be confident in yourself. Don’t try and be someone you’re not otherwise you’re going to have to keep that act up the whole time! Remember to have fun, your life is not hanging in the balance, it’s just a date!

Welcome to Bowes-Lyon Partnership’s first round of dating ‘Hints & Tips’. Even the hardiest, most experienced dater still experiences first-date nerves. Our exclusive introductions company has a large database of accomplished, intelligent, attractive professionals but we feel that even the successful and beautiful need a helping hand! Whilst there is no fool-proof or guaranteed methods to ensure a successful first date there are a number of hints and tips we believe everyone should follow:

1) Take pride in your appearance.
You wouldn’t turn up to a job interview with unwashed hair or un-ironed clothes so take the same attitude when meeting a date for the first time. Whilst it is personality and compatibility that will ensure the longevity of a relationship, first impressions DO count. Make sure your hair is styled and your clothes are flattering and if you feel comfortable, your confidence will shine through, making you all the more attractive!

2) Jump in with both feet
Those that jump into dating with both feet and enjoy the process are the ones that have the most success. Half-heartedness will make the process harder and longer. Make a concerted effort to be proactive and dedicate time to meeting new people. It doesn’t come to you sitting on the sofa!

3) Choose venues wisely
If you are meeting someone for the first time, sitting in a dark cinema for 3 hours isn’t going to help you get to know someone. Bowes-Lyon Partnership recommends choosing something light and easy in a public place for a first date; a coffee, a light lunch or an early evening cocktail, that way if there is no spark you can politely make your excuses and leave or, ideally, order that second mojito and enjoy!!

4) Be interested and interesting
Everyone’s favourite subject is themselves but make sure you show an interest in her hobbies, lifestyle, career, etc. Ask relevant questions, pay attention and listen, after all you want to know if your date is compatible for you so this is your best opportunity to find out all you can!

5) Be realistic
Decide what you want to achieve out of dating, are you looking for a long-term relationship, or are you looking for a fling? In either case, plan accordingly and seek out others with a similar outlook to your own. Have realistic expectations, do not expect to be married within 6 months of meeting someone and prepare yourself for the inevitable rejection we all face at some point in dating, and commit not to give up. Remember to enjoy dating for what it is, meeting new people you wouldn’t normally cross paths with, going to new places and overall, having fun!!

Bowes-Lyon Dating Hints & Tips

Welcome to Bowes-Lyon Partnership’s first round of dating ‘Hints & Tips’. Even the hardiest, most experienced dater still experiences first-date nerves. Our exclusive introductions company has a large database of accomplished, intelligent, attractive professionals but we feel that even the successful and beautiful need a helping hand! Whilst there is no fool-proof or guaranteed methods to ensure a successful first date there are a number of hints and tips we believe everyone should follow:

1) Take pride in your appearance.
You wouldn’t turn up to a job interview with unwashed hair or un-ironed clothes so take the same attitude when meeting a date for the first time. Whilst it is personality and compatibility that will ensure the longevity of a relationship, first impressions DO count. Make sure your hair is styled and your clothes are flattering and if you feel comfortable, your confidence will shine through, making you all the more attractive!

2) Jump in with both feet
Those that jump into dating with both feet and enjoy the process are the ones that have the most success. Half-heartedness will make the process harder and longer. Make a concerted effort to be proactive and dedicate time to meeting new people. It doesn’t come to you sitting on the sofa!

3) Choose venues wisely
If you are meeting someone for the first time, sitting in a dark cinema for 3 hours isn’t going to help you get to know someone. Bowes-Lyon Partnership recommends choosing something light and easy in a public place for a first date; a coffee, a light lunch or an early evening cocktail, that way if there is no spark you can politely make your excuses and leave or, ideally, order that second mojito and enjoy!!

4) Be interested and interesting
Everyone’s favourite subject is themselves but make sure you show an interest in her hobbies, lifestyle, career, etc. Ask relevant questions, pay attention and listen, after all you want to know if your date is compatible for you so this is your best opportunity to find out all you can!

5) Be realistic
Decide what you want to achieve out of dating, are you looking for a long-term relationship, or are you looking for a fling? In either case, plan accordingly and seek out others with a similar outlook to your own. Have realistic expectations, do not expect to be married within 6 months of meeting someone and prepare yourself for the inevitable rejection we all face at some point in dating, and commit not to give up. Remember to enjoy dating for what it is, meeting new people you wouldn’t normally cross paths with, going to new places and overall, having fun!!