Learn the Successful Dating Tips

ByJessica A Parker
Dating can be tricky any time of year, but when it comes to the Christmas season, there are a few dating mistakes you should avoid at all costs! Here are the and how to avoid them, so you can enjoy an emotionally-sound season.
1. Getting personal at the office Christmas party
Some people do meet their partners at work and in most cases this doesn't cause any problems at all. But the office Christmas party can lead to some pretty unusual behaviour and it's wise to think twice before acting on any advances! If you're already dating someone at work then keeping appearances professional in front of the boss is still a good idea. If you'd like to be dating someone from your office, and one of you makes a move, just consider the repercussions if your office party antics become common knowledge - and aim to keep your private life private.
2. Acting on impaired judgement
'Tis the season to be merry, but just make sure your merry-making doesn't have lasting consequences that you will regret! Alcohol is flowing at Christmas time, and whether you're already dating someone, or you would like to start a new relationship, make sure you don't make any major dating decisions when your judgement might be impaired. For example, it's very easy to send emotionally charged text messages late at night after a boozy Christmas party, but virtually impossible to take them back when you realise what you've done the next morning!
3. Sending out the wrong messages
One of the most fun things about dating at Christmas is that you can really pull out all the stops when it comes to glitz and glamour. Single guys and girls alike would be wise to pamper themselves, dress up and look their very best at this time of year, but beware of the common Christmas downfall of sending out the wrong messages. Revealing a little too much during the Christmas party season isn't the basis for a great long term relationship. Keep it sexy but smart and you can't go wrong.
4. Getting carried away by the mistletoe
There's something about the Christmas season that leads to a very particular kind of dating disaster: moving things on too quickly. A kiss under the mistletoe is one thing, but make sure you're not getting too carried away by all that tinsel and remember that your memories of your close encounter will be there for life, not just for Christmas. Keep your usual wits about you and don't be dazzled by the sparkle into going further than you would normally with your dating partner.
5. Being a wallflower
Despite the dangers of moving too fast or making moves when you shouldn't, the Christmas season is really good time to meet new people. Dating at Christmas can be a lot of fun because there is so much going on, so if you'd like to start dating then don't be afraid to mingle at those Christmas parties - you might just find a special Christmas present that you'll want to keep forever!
match.com is the UK's best known dating site. Hundreds of thousands of relationships have started thanks to us and we have one simple mission: to help people find love.

ByJessica A Parker
Find out if you're ready to share turkey and sprouts with your new dating partner
When you're in a new relationship, spending Christmas together is a big deal. It's a way of telling everyone - including your new dating partner - that you reckon they're a keeper. Take this step too soon, and you risk looking over-keen and scaring your new partner away.
Are you and your new other half ready to share your mum's Brussels sprouts? Take our Christmas dating quiz to find out.
1. It's present-buying time. How much cash will you spend on your dating partner?
a. Two weeks' wages and a heck of a lot of effort.
b. A few days' wages.
c. Twenty quid.
2. Which of the following would you be most likely to buy for them?
a. An iPod containing their entire treasured vinyl record collection, painstakingly converted by you in secret.
b. A swanky travel bag for the holiday they're planning with their mates.
c. A bottle of vodka and a Jimmy Carr DVD.
3. What's your dating partner most likely to buy for you?
a. A pricey vintage watch, in exactly the style you love.
b. A weekend break in Amsterdam - your first trip together.
c. A bottle of vodka and a Jimmy Carr DVD.
4. When did you two first start dating?
a. Last spring.
b. Late summer.
c. Your mate's Christmas party.
5. What do your friends think of your dating partner?
a. They think you're perfect for each other - even though your loved-up state means that you've seen less of your mates lately.
b. They haven't formed much of an opinion, but they're glad you've found someone.
c. You haven't asked them.
6. What makes you most nervous about taking your new squeeze home for Christmas?
a. They'll get on so well with your old mum that they'll never want to leave.
b. Your dad will embarrass you.
c. They'll dump you for moving too fast.
7. What did your dating partner do last Christmas?
a. Spent it with his or her own parents.
b. Had some friends over to their flat.
c. How would you know?
8. If you two were staying over together at your parents' place, how would sleeping arrangements be handled?
a. Your mum would automatically give you both the spare double room.
b. You wouldn't stay over. You'd both head back to your place after dinner, or stay at the Travel Tavern down the road.
c. You'd stay, while your boyfriend/girlfriend would head home.
9. How would you describe your dating compatibility?
a. You're in love. You're soulmates.
b. You agree on the main issues of life, but you're still finding out about each other.
c. You have great sex.
10. Where do you see yourselves this time next year?
a. Alone together in your own shared place. Maybe do dinner for friends and family on Boxing Day.
b. On holiday together, assuming all goes well.
c. No idea. It's a bit much to imagine that you'll still be dating.
11. You're slumped alone watching TV in your veg out clothes, eating ice-cream from the tub. If your lover could see you now...
a. They'd be doing the same.
b. It wouldn't match the ever-gorgeous picture of you in their head.
c. Argh! Perish the thought.
12. You're a smoker, and your dating partner has given up. What's their attitude towards your habit?
a. They care about your health and want to help you quit. They give up crisps and sweets to show moral support.
b. They'd never dream of making you give up.
c. They've never really thought about it.
What your answers mean...
Mostly A: About time, too!
You sound like you've been dating for years, not just months. Spending Christmas together will top off a great year for you both, whether you spend it at your parents', their parents', or your own place.
Just take care that you're not getting too cosy too fast. Savour the getting-to-know-you stage before you get too used to sharing the washing up.
Mostly B: Spend Christmas together - but respect their space
You're still in the lust stage. You're not terribly fussed about showing him or her off to Mum and Dad, but you'd be frustrated and bored silly if you spent Christmas apart.
That said, don't railroad your dating partner into a joint Christmas, especially at your parents' place. Your new lover may get cold sweats (and cold feet) at the thought of meeting your mum, let alone being nice about her food.
Mostly C: Don't even think about it
Your relationship is far too new for you to be doing the Christmas Day thing together. Don't drag them to your mum's for the day until you've been dating for longer and your relationship is on steadier ground.
Meet up for dinner or a few drinks, or talk on the phone if distance is an issue. If you find yourselves pining for each other, you can always get together for New Year's Eve.
match.com is the UK's best known dating site. Hundreds of thousands of relationships have started thanks to us and we have one simple mission: to help people find love.

? Or want to know if it's important to your Chinese girlfriend, either online or in person. Maybe you think Christmas is a western celebration so Chinese people don't really care about it.
Well, be careful if you think that way, as you may miss the perfect chance to impress your potential girlfriend or even make an embarrassing mistake by thinking it's not important to her.
Chinese celebrations and Christmas
The most popular celebration in China, is the 'spring festival', you will probably more commonly know this as 'Chinese new year'. This is the closest equivalent to Christmas that the Chinese have. During spring festival week, pretty much all the shops close and everyone stays with their family, just like it is for us at Christmas.
So, do the Chinese actually care about, or celebrate Christmas? Well surprisingly, the answer is 'yes', but they don't celebrate it the same as westerners.
Christmas in China
When I first moved to mainland China years ago, no one cared about Christmas at all. It was a foreign holiday that had no place whatsoever in Chinese culture. It was truly a joy to be able to go to any restaurant on Christmas day, and then onto a bar later to celebrate.
It was so different from back home, where everything basically closed down, and everyone had family duties to attend to. Christmas in China was great. Note I said 'was'!
Chinese Culture and assimilation
The interesting thing about Chinese culture is that no other invading countries culture has ever been able to change it in any noticeable way. The Mongols themselves after invading China a couple of generations later, had given up on trying to change the indigenous Chinese and essentially started to follow Chinese culture and practice themselves.
Any Mongolian customs were simply assimilated, and thereafter classed as 'Chinese culture'!
Something similar, and a bit strange, is now happening with Christmas day in China.
The 'New' Chinese Lovers Day
In China between June, to the end of August, and following the lunar calendar, is what is known commonly as 'Chinese lovers day'. On this day although there are some traditional things people are supposed to do, most Chinese couples simply do what westerners traditionally do on Valentines day, and go out for a romantic meal.
By the way, Chinese people also celebrate Valentines day too! And this is where Christmas day enters.
Chinese people now celebrate Christmas day as a romantic valentines day, part three, you could say.
Advice
If you are dating Chinese girls, they will expect you to spend this holiday with them by taking them for a romantic meal; and generally doing some romantic things with her/for her, will be much appreciated.
But forget to pay her any attention on this day, and she will really be disappointed. It's no matter to her that it's a western religious festival that isn't part of her culture. She'll only care that all her other friends are going out with their boyfriends and she is not!
If your girlfriend is thousands of miles away then a romantic email, or even a phone call will probably do the trick.
One final piece of advice, if you are in mainland China and are , then make sure you book a table at a restaurant before the day, as if you don't, you'll be lucky if you can find a table in KFC, let alone another restaurant. Still, chicken is always a favorite in China, so you could do worse really.
Sam C Reeves has lived in China for over eight years and dated a wide variety of Chinese women and also married one. To find out more tips and tricks for dating Chinese girls go to http://ChineseDatingSecrets.com/ and see 7 must know facts every man should know before dating or marrying a Chinese girl.