Dating For Dummies

by Joy Browne

If you're looking for a fun Saturday night date or a happily-ever-after mate, this is the guide for you. Whether you're young and haven't dated much or older and have been out of circulation so long you've forgotten how to flirt, dating can be intimidating. Author Dr. Joy Browne, America's favorite psychologist, demystifies the whole dating process, from getting a date, plotting the place, and having a great time (or dealing with dud dates) to moving beyond a first date, playing it safe, and how sex can impact a budding relationship.In this new edition, Dr. Joy offers updated guidance on how to find a date, covering "speed dating," Internet dating services, and singles nights at grocery stores and other unexpected places. She delivers fresh pointers on a whole host of topics, including: Building your confidence and polishing your social selfDetermining if you're really ready to dateHow to meet and approach Mr. or Ms. IntriguingWhere to go, what to do, what to wear, and what to avoid on the first dateTaboo subjects, such as your ex, sex, politics, and religionCell phone and e-mail etiquetteMoving from dating to a successful relationship and the four stages of attachmentBreaking up (just in case Mr. or Ms. Right wasn't) and avoiding pity parties and pitfallsThe dos and don'ts of Internet dating

Dr. Joy Browne's nationally syndicated daily radio show is the longest running program of its kind. Dr. Joy has won numerous awards for her work including the American Psychological Associations President's Award and the "Talkers Magazine" award for Best Female Talk Show Host (two years in a row). She was #10 on the list of the 25 Greatest Radio Talk Show Hosts of All Time, and has been named one of the 100 Most Influential Talk Show Hosts nine times. Dr. Joy can frequently be seen on television as a guest on shows such as CBS' "The Early Show," "Oprah Winfrey" and "Larry King Live." Dr. Joy has authored: "It's A Jungle Out There Jane," "Dating for Dummies," "The Nine Fantasies That Will Ruin Your Life," and "Getting Unstuck."

"Dating For Dummies, 2nd Edition" includes advice for special dating situations such as long-distance relationships, office romances, single parents, senior citizens, and more. It gives you worksheets to help you objectively analyze your date expectations and evaluate a relationship. Packed with real-world wisdom, confidence boosters, and a dash of humor, this is the guide to help you get out of exile, get into dating, and perhaps even get into a meaningful relationship.

Genres: Nonfiction, Relationships, Self Help, Reference, Personal Development, Ebooks, Social

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Joy Browne, also known as Dr. Joy, was an American talk show host, specializing in advice counselling. She hosted a nationally syndicated call-in talk show for several decades, heard on numerous radio stations in the U.S. and Canada.

Reviews

[Krystal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Look, honestly, I have no idea how I ended up with this book. I think I was going through an, 'it's okay to admit I want a relationship' phase and thought taking advice from a book would be empowering. I read a few chapters, rolled my eyes excessively and generally felt ridiculous, and decided to donate it.

I think, if you feel like you need a book to tell you what to do, you're probably overthinking things. It might give some helpful ideas on etiquette but in the end you just need to be true to yourself.

[Lo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it three stars because I could never give any book in the "For Dummies" series more than three stars. By far this is my favorite of the crop of dating books I've been reading lately, because it's the most worthless. Just be yourself, be more confident and a host of things that I can assure you have no basis in the kind of dating that REAL people actually do. I don't recall "working on my inner self" prior to meeting my partner. I did however, join a gym, drop like 5 or so dress sizes and snag a really hot guy. I don't think I'm a nicer, thoughtful, or even more confident person. But I wear a single digit size, and really, that's the kind of advice 99% of dating books should be dishing. We live in a sketchy post-feminist world and it's about time our dating guides actually reflected that.

Still, if you're feeling shitty about your lack of dates this will probably lift your spirits making the whole partner attraction racket seem less out of your control.

God, I am such a bitch even in 7 jeans. So disappointing!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am dipping into this book again now after several years of not needing it. I didn't check into whatever complaints other readers must have to keep it from being a 5-star experience for everybody, but this book seems to me a remarkably cogent and comforting companion through the world of dating or not. I have reread relevant sections several times during my adult life, enough so that I have internalized some of the author's recommendations. The chapter on "Breaking Up" is especially valuable. Thanks, Dr. Joy!

[Al Capwned · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first two books of the "For Dummies" series I read were pretty cool and funny, so I decided to read as many books of the series as possible. This one, though, is a waste of time. Full of stereotypes and trying to be funny when it definitely isn't, makes it even more pathetic. The chapters about safety rules are ok I guess but that's all.

[Coleccionista de finales tristes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Una estrella 🌟 y he sido benevolente 😉☺️😂🤣😅

- Los perros y los animalitos no son personas. Ni se te ocurra pensarlo . No trates a la persona con la que sales como a tu perro 🐶 😂🤣😅😂😅🤣

Se le olvidó al autor que quienes aman a los perros 🐕 y a los animalitos…tratan muy bien a los perros …

- El autor se queja de los hermanos menores y les llama traviesos…

Una estrella 🌟;)

[Eszter Beáta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very useful with more thousand ideas for every situation.

Ez egy nagyon hasznos könyv több ezer hasznos ötlettel mindenféle helyzetekre.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative. Left me with higher expectations for dating than real-life experience, I guess I expect that everyone has read the books I have, unfortunately the knowledge gleaned is solely mine.

[Nithin Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice book. Very insightful and gives a perspective on both gender's sides.
A much-needed read in this age of dating. I definitely would recommend it.

[Ajay · Rating 1 out of 5]

totally garbage

[Bryan Tanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of a reference book for me. Every once a while, I'll flip through the chapters and read a few of the things that seem applicable at the time. Although the book was written in 1997 many of the principles and endure.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the most interesting part of this book was the theory that we're always moving forward. Meaning if you date someone and break up with them you will move on to other, better, relationships. Because you will know that things can be AT LEAST that good again.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Because I need all the help I can get.

[Ben Kellermann]

Trusted tips and guidance on meeting Mr. or Ms. Right

Are you looking for a fun Saturday night date or a happily-ever-after mate? Dating For Dummies demystifies the whole dating process, from getting a date, plotting the place, and having a great time (or dealing with duds) to moving beyond a first date toward a budding relationship. Plus, you'll find all you need to navigate social media sites to socialize, flirt, and date in the 21st century.

Look in the mirror — understand the importance of getting to know (and love) yourself in order to become a better partner, and find out if you're ready to date
Search for Mr. or Ms. Right — figure out what you want in a partner and discover the many places you can find him/her
Get in the game — get the confidence to ask for a date, deal with the potentially sticky situation of exchanging phone numbers, and gracefully bow out of a date if you're not feeling the love
It's date day — get pointers on everything from what to wear to the topics you should (and shouldn't) talk about on a first date
On the rebound! — understand the importance of healing before jumping back into the dating scene, whether you're divorced, widowed, or just getting out of a relationship

Open the book and find:

Realistic dating advice for people in all types of situations and life-stages
Great date ideas (and activities to avoid)
What works (and what doesn't) when asking for a date
How to flirt, how to listen, and how to gauge how things are going
What to look for in the place you pick for a date
How to navigate through potentially awkward moments

Learn to:

Safely navigate social networking and online dating sites
Avoid common dating missteps
Get back into the dating scene after divorce
Deal with differences in age

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