Dating expectations

Great Expectations Dating Service

Welcome to Great Expectations, the dating service for singles who are serious about dating. What makes Great Expectations different from all those other dating services? It’s simple: we are the #1 destination for folks who want a safe, pre-screened environment that connects them with other singles who are ready to make a commitment. And we make the experience fun, with amazing local singles events and speed dating events.

Other dating services let just about anyone sign up, without any screening or verification. Their profiles are full of fake pictures, inaccurate information and exaggerations. And, even if the people behind the profiles are actually real, who knows if it’s safe to meet them? They haven’t been screened, they haven’t passed a background check. all you have to do is turn on the news to hear about some of the scary experiences folks like you have had with other online dating services.

With Great Expectations, your safety is our highest priority. Our dating service offers the strongest commitment to dating safety in the industry today. That’s because every one of our singles has passed an in-person screening and a mandatory background check. And if they don’t pass, they can’t join. It’s as simple as that. So with our dating service, you can find the local singles of your dreams in complete and total safety.

When our dating service was started over 35 year ago, our founders made a commitment to safety one of the company’s core principles. Today, we’re proud to say that’s still our # 1 priority.

Local Singles Events

Here’s something else that makes our dating service different: the best local singles events in town, including our famous speed dating events.

When you join our dating service, we’ll work with you on a one-to-one basis to help you find local singles events that match your interests and desires. In fact, our staff works hard to plan singles events based on our member’s stated preferences.

Speed Dating Events

Our speed dating events are what we’re really known for. We’ve been hosting them for decades, and we’re proud to say that more than a few marriages have been the results! Who knows, maybe it’s your turn next.

With speed dating, you’re matched up with other singles who reflect your desired age group, lifestyle and income preference. You’ll meet up in a venue that’s comfortable and fun for everyone. like a local pub or restaurant. with our staff hosting and making sure everyone is comfortable. When the bell rings, you’ll have a few minutes to chat with another local singles. The bell rings again, and you’re matched up to the next single. It’s a fun, comfortable way to meet up to 12 singles in an hour. And at the end of the night, our staff will even help you get contact info, just in case you’re a little shy!

Choose greater safety. Choose greater choices. Choose Great Expectations!

Great Expectations is one of the original dating services that helped start the dating revolution. We have over 35 years of experience helping singles find true love, and we’re proud to say that we’ve successfully worked with thousands and thousands of folks just like you.

We invite you to explore our site to learn what makes us so different from other dating services. Take a look at our testimonials page to read other success stories. Or, go ahead and get started now with no cost or obligation. Simply fill out our FREE request for more information with the form you see on this page. We’ll be delighted to get in touch, at your convenience, to tell you more about the Great Expectations dating service.

NOTICE: Your Profile will be kept confidential and we will always respect your privacy. Using the phone number you provide, you will receive a call within one business day with more details about how we can help you based on the information you have provided. If we are unable to reach you by phone, then we will follow up with an email to the email address provided. If you do not receive a call or an email, then your information has been deleted because we do not have a center in your location. See the Privacy policy for more information.

© 2012 great-expectations. net. All rights reserved.

Christian Singles and Dating: Setting Your Expectations

Faith is an important factor – for some, the most crucial one – in relationship compatibility. For those looking to find love in the Christian singles dating scene. expect the following:

What to Expect in Christian Dating #1: Differences

“Christian” doesn’t mean “identical.” Just because you’ve narrowed the dating pool in the quest to find someone whose worldview mirrors your own doesn’t guarantee that everyone who identifies as a Christian will be compatible with you. Some may define “Christian” as a cultural term; they were raised with Judeo-Christian values and uphold many of the tenants of a Christian faith. Others use “Christian” to define a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Within the Christian faith, denominational differences and ideas about how faith fits into daily life can create relationship obstacles, and even be deal-breakers.

Even if you’re on the same page when it comes to personal faith, you’re still two unique beings who crave compatibility and chemistry. Don’t expect “Christian single” to be the magic love-match word.

What to Expect in Christian Dating #2: Talking About Your Faith

The age-old dating advice may tell you to refrain from talking about religion, sex or politics, but in Christian dating, religious conversation is essential. As mentioned in the point above, everyone has a unique experience with their faith, and, in identifying as a Christian, prioritizes their personal beliefs. If you meet someone online who says he/she is looking to date a Christian single, know that talking about faith is not only welcome, it’s recommended; faith is your common ground.

Faith discussions early on will establish whether or not you’re heading in similar directions; for some, it also sets a healthy precedence for a relationship that aspires to be God-focused. If you typically pray before each meal, suggest you say a quick prayer before you eat together. It’s an easy way to bring up the God topic and gauge whether or not your date is equally at ease with a public expression of faith.

What to Expect in Christian Dating #3: Unspoken Expectations

The dating world is filled with certain expectations. Christian dating is no different, only that the common denominator of “Christian” can assume that you have the same expectations. Some define Christian dating to mean courting, assuming that dating is a purposeful marriage-focused adventure, and some will expect Christians to subscribe to traditional gender roles or have old-fashioned values.

Don’t let assumptions and expectations hurt your dating life. Be upfront with what you want to get out of the Christian dating experience.

What to Expect in Christian Dating #4: Sex Matters

Talk about sex. Traditionally, a Christian chooses to honor God by waiting for marriage before having sex. This is not longer a steadfast expectation. If you feel strongly about waiting – or about not waiting – it’s something that needs to be expressed early on. As with any romantic relationship, physical boundaries will need defining.

It’s important for dating Christians to talk about sex, even if they’re choosing to not have it.

Great Expectations: Matchmakers with a Personal Touch

Great Expectations is a household name among local dating services. With three decades of experience as matchmakers and numerous happy couples behind us, our dating service provides you with everything you could possibly need to help you find true love.

Many trust Great Expectations’ matchmaking services because of our personal approach. As dedicated matchmakers, we don’t pair you up with just anybody. We connect you to quality singles in your area.

As a member of Great Expectations, you’ll have access to thousands of local profiles and videos that give you a better idea about your prospective dates. Our team of matchmakers will help you meet your destined partner through our parties and other events exclusive to members. And as a local dating service, we have several physical locations in various states with compassionate staff members who are always eager to help you out.

We pride ourselves on providing safe matchmaking services. By screening each member and validating vital information, we hope to create a secure, comfortable, and rewarding dating environment.

Dating With No Expectations

Single life is often seen one-dimensionally. One would think being single is equivalent to a sentence on death row the way society views single women as the spinster curled up on the couch in a robe and rollers every Friday night. The world forgets the benefits of the single woman’s life - being able to date freely without a care in the world. Hopefully, more and more women are enjoying the world of carefree dating while waiting on love.

Women are reared to find a husband and have babies. Dating a number of men at one time are grounds to get you thrown in the floozy category thanks to patriarchy. Bachelors on the other hand are given props for their refusal to commit. They are encouraged to remain single as long as they can. When they do finally settle down it is viewed as if he’s doing a woman a favor by taking her off the market. It’s high time women define their own singleness by stepping away from the confinements of what society considers acceptable.

When I was single there were times I hated dating, and other times I loved it. My outlook largely depended on where I was at in my life at the moment. In hindsight, I realized the periods I hated dating was based on my perspective. Instead of having fun, enjoying getting to know someone without any expectations, I was thinking, ‘where is this going to go?’ with every single guy I met. Big mistake. As women we tend to look at the long-term end goal instead of just living in the moment.

Go on a date without even thinking about if he’ll call tomorrow. If you hit it off great, if not, that’s cool too. Every guy you date is not supposed to be your boyfriend. If you are dating a number of guys anyway, there is no pressure for any of them to be “The One.”

I will admit, dating can be tiring with all the getting to know someone phase and trying to weed out the genuine from the jerks. But your perspective on dating makes all the difference in the world. If you don’t expect much, dating becomes less of a hassle. And I’m inclined to say you get much more out of your dating experiences when looking for less. You may end up with a guy you hope never calls you again, a lifelong friend, a business connect or eventually a partner. That’s the joy of it all - the possibilities are endless.

I’m not advocating for women to sleep with every man she’s dating. Some people are under the impression dating equals sexing. Not at all. Then there is the question, “Well isn’t it wrong to be dating more than one man at a time?” I’m always startled by the belief it’s wrong when women do it, but when a man is single we damn near expect him to be humping dating a plethora of women. Here’s the thing: you are single! The whole point of being single is having the freedom to do as you please. As long as you’re not leading anyone on, lying or intentionally hurting anyone, do as you please.

Ladies, embrace being fabulous and single. One day you may reminisce on these very times with fond memories. Dating is all about what you make it. Now get out there and date! And as often as you want with whomever you want. It’s your world.

The Biggest Challenge in Online Dating: Your Own Expectations

Our guest blogger today is dating expert and behavioral scientist Dr. Christie Hartman – who covers a topic very familiar to online daters.

One of the many benefits of trying a match-based online dating site like eHarmony is that they pair you with people you’re more likely to mesh with. And while it’s natural to want to meet someone you find attractive and have something in common with, ideally you want someone you click with on a deeper level, someone whose personality and values are compatible with yours.

However, if you’re new to online dating or unaccustomed to match-based sites, you may find that some of the matches you receive aren’t what you expected. And managing expectations is one of the biggest challenges in online dating.

Match-based sites attempt to match singles based on factors that lead to attraction and compatibility. Yet, when people receive their match profiles, some are surprised (and not in a good way) at what they get. Here are some of the comments I’ve heard:

“ I’m a cyclist who’s on my bike five days a week. What do I have in common with an overweight woman who doesn’t work out?”

“The site matched me a bunch of guys who love to travel. I’m not really into travel.”

“I’m a city guy, but I keep getting matched with women who love the outdoors.”

“I have a Bachelor’s degree! Why would they match me with men who never went to college?”

I’m not knocking these comments; they’re the natural result of the online dating experience being different than what you expected.

It’s easy to fill out your profile and questionnaire and assume you’re going to get the opposite sex version of yourself, or at least the kind of people you’re used to dating. But match-based sites attempt to match people on criteria above and beyond how cute someone looks in a photo or a mutual love of running or science fiction. Yes, you will get matched with people who aren’t your usual type.

And that’s the point: to break free of your idea of the perfect mate, and meet people who you click with but never expected to. As any matchmaker will tell you: Mr. or Ms. Right will rarely look like you imagined.

The cyclist may be incompatible with an overweight woman, but he probably doesn’t need an athletic woman to be happy. References to travel and the outdoors are ubiquitous in dating profiles – but everyone has a different idea of what “travel” and “outdoorsy” mean, and who’s to say their definition won’t jive with yours? And education? Hey, I have a PhD, and one of the most successful guys I ever dated never went to college.

Just as in regular dating, some matches you receive on an online dating site won’t be right for you. However, you’ll have a chance to meet people you wouldn’t otherwise meet and who are different than you’re used to, but who mesh well with you in the areas that matter. Maybe you don’t love to travel, don’t care about the outdoors, or value education – but the person sitting across from you at the coffee house may be so interesting that you won’t care.

So put aside your mental image of your ideal match. Check out your matches: if you see any red flags, then move on. If you find someone even a little attractive or interesting, and they feel the same way, set up a meeting. Go in with an open mind. See who winds up sitting across from you. They may not wind up being for you, but that’s okay. Eventually, you’ll connect with that amazing person.

Are you this business?

Great Expectations is a matchmaking dating service with more than 35 years of experience that caters to the busy working professional. Great Expectations has merged today’s technology with old fashioned matchmaking methods to become a leader in the dating industry. To learn more about Great Expectations call, 866-907-5046 or visit www. great-expectations. com. Each location is individually owned and operated.

Consumer Complaints & Reviews

Satisfaction Rating 1 /5

I went to G. E. after being frustrated with the quality of people on other sites. I had high hopes thinking it would be different. The day I went, the owner of the company talked about my financial status. He asked if it would put me in a bind to pay so much per month for their services. I said it would so he continued to tell me how they personalize everything for you, have someone out meeting people with you in mind and that the quality of people on their site would be worth every penny. He even brought in another employee who said she personally would work with me to find that right someone. I told him I needed to think about it so he dropped the price and pressured me into signing up. I did. I hate to admit it but I did.

Come to find out, that was true of two others they had listed as "happily married". I did go on two suggested dates and the men were in no way a good match. G. E. even called and emailed to tell me I was the problem by not going back out on another date with them to really see if they were or not. It was a joke. I asked about that "personal" service and they told me they didn't know what I was talking about. It was all a scam. Luckily I have been able to sway several friends from going there but I'm certainly paying the price.

Dating

Dating is a part of human mating process whereby two people meet socially for companionship. beyond the level of friendship. or with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or marriage. It can be a form of courtship consisting of social activities done by the couple. While the term has several meanings, it usually refers to the act of meeting and engaging in some mutually agreed upon social activity in public, together, as a couple.

History [ edit ]

Dating as an institution is a relatively recent phenomenon which has mainly emerged in the last few centuries. From the standpoint of anthropology and sociology. dating is linked with other institutions such as marriage and the family which have also been changing rapidly and which have been subject to many forces, including advances in technology and medicine. As humans have evolved from hunter-gatherers into civilized societies and more recently into modern societies, there have been substantial changes in the relationship between men and women, with perhaps the only biological constant being that both adult women and men must have sexual intercourse for human procreation to happen. [ 3 ]

Humans have been compared to other species in terms of sexual behavior. Neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky constructed a reproductive spectrum with opposite poles being tournament species. in which males compete fiercely for reproductive privileges with females, and pair bond arrangements, in which a male and female will bond for life. [ 4 ] According to Sapolsky, humans are somewhat in the middle of this spectrum, in the sense that humans form pair bonds, but there is the possibility of cheating or changing partners. [ 4 ] These species-particular behavior patterns provide a context for aspects of human reproduction. including dating. However, one particularity of the human species is that pair bonds are often formed without necessarily having the intention of reproduction. In modern times, emphasis on the institution of marriage, generally described as a male-female bond, has obscured pair bonds formed by same-sex and transsexual couples, and that many heterosexual couples also bond for life without offspring, or that often pairs that do have offspring separate. Thus, the concept of marriage is changing widely in many countries.

Historically, marriages in most societies were arranged by parents and older relatives with the goal not being love but legacy and "economic stability and political alliances", according to anthropologists. [ 5 ] Accordingly, there was little need for a temporary trial period such as dating before a permanent community-recognized union was formed between a man and a woman. While pair-bonds of varying forms were recognized by most societies as acceptable social arrangements, marriage was reserved for heterosexual pairings and had a transactional nature, where wives were in many cases a form of property being exchanged between father and husband, and who would have to serve the function of reproduction. Communities exerted pressure on people to form pair-bonds in places such as Europe ; in China. according to sociologist Tang Can, society "demanded people get married before having a sexual relationship" [ 6 ] and many societies found that some formally recognized bond between a man and a woman was the best way of rearing and educating children as well as helping to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings regarding competition for mates.

A Letter Every Mother Should Read to Her Son

This is my little boyfriend. He is five. I love him more than life.

Someday, he will become one very lucky girl’s Prince Charming. As much as I want that lucky girl to be the perfect girl for him, I also want him to be prepared for her.

I recently stumbled across this love note from Sara to her young son. I begged for her to come guest post as it is simply the best advice a mother could ever give her son concerning dating. It’s everything in my heart, magically put perfectly into words. Sara, thank you for sharing this sweet advice with us.

Dear Son,

Dating is a tricky thing and doing it right is difficult. But it is honestly, the most important thing you will ever do. Because how you date will dictate who you date. And who you date will become your wife. And who your wife is will determine your future family and so forth and so on. So date wisely.

Here are a few expectations I have for you when it comes to dating:

1. Always ask a girl on a date. Straight forward & direct. AND always ask in person. If that just isn’t possible then ask over the phone. Never, I mean never . ask a girl on a date through a text, instant message, or email.

2. Always take a girl out on a date. None of this “let’s hang out at my place & watch a movie” nonsense. I expect you to pick her up & take her somewhere. It doesn’t have to be fancy or elaborate or immensely creative. Sometimes the best dates are simple, like a picnic in the park. You should always make sure you take her to a place you know she will feel comfortable & enjoy.

3. Open the car door for your date. Open all doors for your date.

4. Pay for your date. No questions asked. Your father & I will make sure you always have money for your dates. Do not ever split the bill.

5. Walk to the door to pick up your date. Never text from the car, or worse yet, HONK! And always walk your date to the door at the end of the night.

6. Use your good senses when it comes to kissing. Don’t kiss every girl, but don’t be afraid to kiss the right girl.

7. Listen to your date. The best dates involve getting to know the other person so take your date somewhere that will allow you to talk. Ask her questions & share insight about yourself. The purpose of dating is to find someone you could spend your future with. So the longer you date a person, the more you should get to know her.

8. Always make your intentions clear. If you aren’t clicking with a girl then end it. Don’t string her along. It may hurt her for a minute but she will appreciate your honesty. And if you are feeling a connection then let her know. A girl loves clarity. It will make the whole dating process easier if you follow this one simple rule.

9. Date around, but only seriously date one girl at a time. Once you’ve found a girl you are interested in and going exclusive with, be faithful to her. Always, always be faithful. If you decide things aren’t working out or you meet someone else you’d like to get to know, refer back to rule #8.

10. Be physical. The right way! Hold hands, put your arm around her shoulders or eventually her waist, kiss her head, put your hand on her knee, these sweet gestures speak volumes & make a woman feel cared for. Going too far physically only confuses the relationship & it can never be undone.

11. Handle her heart with care. Women are strong, but they are also delicate. Don’t ruin that. Do not be responsible for hardening a woman’s heart.

12. Get to know her family & friends and let your family & friends get to know her. Especially Me.

13. When the time comes, tell her you love her, a lot. In fact, tell her all sorts of nice things. Everyone deserves to be complimented.

14. Serve her. Not like a waiter. Perform acts of service for her; make her breakfast, take out her trash, offer her your jacket when she’s cold, you get the point.

15. Surprise her. Again, a little can go a long way. Just stick with small surprises. Bring her a case of her favorite soda, pick her flowers, or show up at her work for a surprise lunch date.

16. Never underestimate the power of the written word. As nice as it is to hear good things, it’s even better to have them written down so you can reference back to them. You should write letters or notes to your love often.

17. When the time is right & you’ve found that special someone, get down on one knee & ask her those 4 special words.

I love you now, forever and always. And know that someday, I’ll love her too.

Love, Mom

Sara started taking her boys on official dates once they hit the age of five. They have a whole lot of fun making memories, but the whole purpose is to teach them how to date.

* Stop by Sara’s blog Team Watkins for more great reads about life, love, and motherhood in Hawaii.