“Don’t look like a dad,” thought Jeremy Pryor, a 40-year-old mechanical engineer from Woodbridge, as he dressed for his date. But, the father of three then thought, “Don’t look like a kid.” The dates Jeremy has had since his divorce six years ago have taught him that the “first impression is everything.”
Over in Alexandria, his date, Ivana Hampton, 41, also worried about how she was presenting herself, having never had a blind date or even an online date before. She stopped at her mom’s house for a last-minute wardrobe check. “Why are you wearing that?” her mom questioned.
“She thought I should wear a dress, but I wasn’t feeling a dress,” Ivana told me. So she kept the pants and ordered a car to Matchbox in Chinatown, arriving about 15 minutes early for the date.
https://damonahoffman.com/wp-content/uploads/Media-Page-2-1.jpg9241640Asst/wp-content/uploads/damona-hoffman-logo-209-1-1.pngAsst2019-06-13 00:38:092023-10-05 00:38:29Date Lab: First impressions are everything
The night was wet and cold, and Jeff Savage, 38, really didn’t feel like going out. He’d already let Date Lab dissect his dating life once when he went out in 2017 with Katy Hospital, a graphic designer and kettlebell trainer who he says “went to bed too early” for his taste. He now regrets some of his original Date Lab application responses, like describing his dream date as “a riot grrl frontwoman turned development economist that likes her burgers rare.”
I wish I could say that I knew how Allie Kant, a 32-year-old tax manager, likes her burgers when I set up the two of them. What I did know was that she, like Jeff, enjoys running six days a week, loves dogs (she has a bichon poodle named Cosmo), and isn’t afraid to stay out a little late and have a few drinks.
https://damonahoffman.com/wp-content/uploads/Media-Page-1-1.jpg9241640Asst/wp-content/uploads/damona-hoffman-logo-209-1-1.pngAsst2019-03-14 00:26:572023-10-05 00:27:37Date Lab: From introvert to extrovert
The Pumpkin Spice Lattes are brewing, sweater weather is upon us, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time for Damona’s favorite show of the year! It’s our annual Halloween Horror Stories episode where we hear the worst dates you’ve experienced. Here’s the rundown:
D’S DATING DISH
This former celebrity online dater is knocked up
Amy Schumer has found love and is starting a family! She announced her pregnancy in a super adorable and politically savvy way. Congratulations Amy – and watch out Markle – you’ve got competition. Check out her baby announcement here!
The real reason people stay in bad relationships
For a long time we thought that people stayed in bad relationships because they had a fear of being single. According to two new studies, there may be a different reason. Damona breaks it down in today’s episode.
Henry Lehmiller, a sociologist and research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, did a study on American fantasies and found that our fantasies have a lot to do with our personality. Damona and Producer Leah discuss what this study says about you.
Today Damona and Producer Leah heard from you about your worst dating experiences. Thank you to Tavishya, Troy, Amber, Brett Allen of the Open Mic Podcast, and the amazing Karrine Steffans for sharing their experiences! These are not your average Halloween Horror Stories. These stories include:
Fireworks and Muggles
Men who sing about barbecue
The old gas money trick
And a blind date who needs a ride…from the airport
Do you have a dating horror story we haven’t heard yet? Tweet us or let us know in the comments below!
NEED A CUTE DATE NIGHT IDEA?
We got you! Impress your date with a home cooked meal. This is actually a lot easier than it sounds. With Green Chef, home cooking has never been so simple. All the ingredients are delivered right to your door and every order comes with easy to use instructions. Don’t miss out! Green Chef is giving Dates & Mates fans $50 off your first order at GreenChef.us/datesandmates.
https://damonahoffman.com/wp-content/uploads/Ep-235-Blog-Title.png200300Leah Schell/wp-content/uploads/damona-hoffman-logo-209-1-1.pngLeah Schell2018-10-29 22:07:522022-12-08 20:00:57Happy Halloween & Dating Horror Stories
Evin Rose, dating and love life transformation coach for millennial women, co-hosts this week’s episode of Dates & Mates. Last week, we dove deep into the mind of men and figured out what the guys are really thinking. Now it’s the ladies’ turn! Today Damona and Evin sit down with a panel of single women to figure out what women really want. Here’s the rundown:
D’S DATING DISH
Why is it so hard to turn a Tinder date into a relationship?
Research from Michigan State University indicates that couples who meet online are 28% more likely to split up within a year. What makes these relationships different? What expectations should we have for Tinder dates? Damona and Evin discuss.
Put your best foot forward
Picking a first date outfit can be a lot of pressure. This week, MamaM!a published a few suggestions for your first date outfit. Damona and Evin give you some suggestions on how to show off your personality.
Are sugar babies bad for feminism?
SeekingArrangement now has over 3 million users worldwide and the numbers are growing. The average Sugar Baby is 25 and makes about 2800 a month from her Daddies. What are the biggest misconceptions about Sugar Baby and Sugar Daddy/Mommy relationships? Are these relationships actually empowering for Sugar Babies? Damona and Evin have thoughts.
WHAT A GIRL WANTS
Last week, the men told us what really goes on in their head. This week, the ladies got a turn. Today we sat down with Rebecca Bernard and Nelly Dennis to get some answers on what women really want. Here’s what we covered:
Men on dating apps & the riffraffery
The worst DMs
Do you right swipe when you see someone you know?
What do you do when married men proposition you?
Pick Up Lines
Courtship & Chivalry
Should women make the first move?
Who pays on the first date?
You know the drill, fellas. They’re single, ready to mingle, and open for DMs. (Please, no dick pics, thanks.)
TECHNICALLY DATING
Submit your questions Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here are the topics we answered this week:
Should you tell your dates that you’re seeing other people?
How do you ask your partner for a threesome?
How to get over anxiety over asking women out.
DAMONA’S DIATRIBE
This week we remember Mac Miller and send condolences to his family, friends, and Ariana Grande. Today on Damona’s diatribe, Damona has a message for those who are in relationships with a person struggling with addiction.
Try FabFitFun.com and get $10 off your first box with the code DatesandMates
Join Damona’s Community of Love by choosing your free e-course at DatesandMates.com and you’ll get access to the exclusive group coaching calls for Dates & Mates listeners.
Our guest co-host this week was Jamie Faye. An internationally certified dating and relationship coach, Jamie currently lives in Tel Aviv with her husband and helps coach individual and couples in their personal, romantic, and professional relationships, with a special emphasis on millennials.
D’S DATING DISH (2:04)
What is a mixed-weight relationship and why does it matter?
There’s recently been some discussion revolving around mixed-weight relationships, a relationship where there’s a notable difference in size between partners. Some find it a descriptor that can help you find power in labels, while others find it problematic and unnecessary. You can read more via Refinery29 here.
Device use can seriously impact relationships
A recent Kaspersky Lab study showed that 55% of couples argue about devices and their use. Though there’s a wide variety of specific reasons, the most common issue of contention is couples using a device while face-to-face with their partner. You can read more via Deccan Chronicle here.
Can you have sex on the first date in the age of #MeToo?
The conversation around sex and dating has seen some radical shifts: how about for as something as time-honored as the “three date rule”? Opinions vary, but there could be some benefit to getting hot and heavy early on in the relationship. You can read more via the Sydney Morning Herald.
What to do if you don’t feel like a priority after six months of dating
How to handle an ex that’s using Snapchat to keep tabs on you
How to know whether you should give up on a guy or not
And many more . . .
DAMONA’S DIATRIBE (47:53)
Damona got something under her skin this week, so it was time for another Diatribe. Up on the chopping block this time around: those who don’t read beyond the headlines.
https://damonahoffman.com/wp-content/uploads/Copy-of-Dates-Mates-14.png315560Damona/wp-content/uploads/damona-hoffman-logo-209-1-1.pngDamona2018-04-16 10:00:502021-05-14 22:23:59Millennial Dating & First Date Sex
Our guest co-host this week was Diann Valentine. An internationally acclaimed wedding and event planner and interior designer, author of the book Going the Distance for Love, and love expert on the new Bravo series, To Rome for Love, Diann sat with us to dish the scoop on her show and tackle user questions in Technically Dating.
D’S DATING DISH (2:37)
What drink should you order on a first date?
The British dating app Trueview conducted a survey of its users to see what drink is best to order on a first date. Surprisingly, beer and cider got low ratings, but wine of all kinds got top marks. Want to know what you should never, ever order? Well, you’ll just have to catch up with our episode to find out. You can read the original article via Nottingham Post here.
The strange dating rule that says men should date someone half their age plus seven
This old adage is commonly accepted, but where exactly did it come from and why? Well, this week we looked into it and found out that it’s credited to Max O’Rell in a book on dating from 1901. It seems women are generally “allowed” to date men up to 15 years older than them, but men are frowned upon for dating older women. What do you think? Should you set a minimum age you’ll date, or is it all up to how you connect? You can read more via Independent here.
Is Aziz guilty of sexual assault, or just being a bad date?
Unless you’re living under a rock, you’ve no doubt heard about the recent scandal involving Aziz Ansari. Long story short: Aziz took a woman home after a few drinks and she has stated that his behavior was predatory and made her uncomfortable. However, many women are claiming that this story is simple one of a bad date, and that the account is damaging the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements. Where do you stand? You can read more via CNN here.
https://damonahoffman.com/wp-content/uploads/Episode-200-To-Rome-for-Love.jpg200300Damona/wp-content/uploads/damona-hoffman-logo-209-1-1.pngDamona2018-01-19 02:08:242021-05-14 22:24:00To Rome for Love & The Aziz Effect
