The Naked TruthDating: how people do it wrong, and how you can get it right – know the type you want to meet, set boundaries, and don’t rush into sex

It’s easy to rush into things and reveal, or expect, too much too soon, says sex coach Sara Tang. Then again, hanging back and playing hard to get may not work

Establish healthy boundaries, communicate openly about your needs and intentions early on, and make sure your emotional investment is reciprocated, she advises

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There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to dating – but there are basic things we can do to avoid embarrassment, disappointment or being hurt along the way. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 2:00am, 10 May 2020Updated: 2:00am, 10 May 2020

Dating can be likened to slaloming down a ski slope at full speed; it’s a tricky course for anyone to steer, no matter if you are newly single, divorced, or a total newbie.

There are no hard and fast rules about what you should or shouldn’t do on a date – every experience is different.

Almost everyone makes mistakes in the dating world. After all, we’re only human. However, knowing some of the cardinal dating “dos and don’ts” can help you avoid embarrassment, disappointment or even heartbreak in the long run.

One common mistake is sharing too much, too soon, in the initial stages of dating, says Sara Tang, sex coach and founder of Sarasense, which offers online resources and coaching material on improving skills in the bedroom.

For example, topics like your ex-partner, major insecurities or spilling your deepest, darkest secrets on day one is a big no-no. Other mistakes include texting too much, always being the one initiating dates, or making plans without ensuring that your partner’s interest level matches your own.

At the other end of the spectrum, playing hard to get can backfire, too. “You are more likely to attract people with avoidant attachment styles, who are only interested in pursuing you because they want to win a challenge,” Tang says.

Dating is like slaloming down a ski slope at full speed. Photo: AFP