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Dating For Dummies

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Dating can be great or it can be the absolute pits, whether you're 17 or 70. The basic story of dating hasn't changed in thousands of years - boy meets girl and they make a connection. So why such sweaty palms if the dating game is so old? No, it's not because you're the nerd of the universe and everyone else is way cooler than you are. It's because the rules have all changed. On top of that, dating can feel really scary because it has to do with big-ticket items: the opposite sex and rejection. Yikes! Dating For Dummies is your guide to the dating scene if you have never dated, have rarely dated, or if you've experienced a life change and want to start dating again. Whether you're a teenager, young adult, divorced, widowed, or an older adult, this useful reference can help you meet, date, and start a relationship with the person of your dreams.

Discover ways to increase your confidence, polish your social skills, figure out what you want, and find out where the best places are to meet your future mate. Full of essential tips and dating wisdom, Dating For Dummies covers everything a single person in search of a date should know, including


Selecting the right place for your first date Finding the best places to meet people Knowing how to protect yourself and understanding the myths and facts about date rape Ditching your date (politely) and exiting with style Finding dating tips for single parents, seniors, or those involved in office romances and long-distance relationships Knowing when not to date Meeting your online date, blind date, or personal-ad date Surviving a break-up and waiting out the rebound period Realizing that you are in love With a little help from Dating For Dummies, discover how to turn what could be a disastrous date into a good time (and a fabulous relationship). Author Dr. Joy Browne - licensed clinical psychologist, best-selling author, and award-winning radio talk show host - guides you through it all.

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

41 people are currently reading
486 people want to read

About the author

Joy Browne

17 books3 followers
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.

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5 stars
23 (16%)
4 stars
38 (26%)
3 stars
39 (27%)
2 stars
27 (18%)
1 star
16 (11%)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Krystal.
2,191 reviews488 followers
April 15, 2017
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.
Profile Image for Lo.
295 reviews8 followers
June 7, 2008
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!
Profile Image for Lisa.
129 reviews4 followers
August 24, 2015
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!
Profile Image for Al Capwned.
2,205 reviews15 followers
July 6, 2017
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.
Profile Image for Coleccionista de finales tristes.
676 reviews47 followers
May 8, 2022
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 🌟;)

Profile Image for Eszter Beáta.
314 reviews
August 3, 2017
This book is very useful with more thousand ideas for every situation.

Ez egy nagyon hasznos könyv több ezer hasznos ötlettel mindenféle helyzetekre.
95 reviews
June 22, 2018
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.
Profile Image for Nithin Jacob.
15 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2020
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.
Profile Image for Bryan Tanner.
788 reviews225 followers
February 28, 2013
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.
Profile Image for Stacy.
145 reviews4 followers
August 1, 2014
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.
146 reviews1 follower
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August 31, 2018

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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