With the core values of Smooches being integrity, respect, trust and transparency, it follows that Smooches expects the highest level of dating etiquette from its members:
- Refrain from immediately wanting to move communication off from the Smooches dating platform. Staying on the platform, before moving on to WhatsApp, email etc. makes your match feel safer, more contained, and more respected.
- Refrain from asking your match about their financial standing, let alone banking or credit card details. Do not ask for any money or goods to be sent to you. Even if your match does not ask for money or goods, do not send it to them. A healthy relationship cannot start on that basis. If you start a relationship as being the saviour, you will end up being the victim.
- Respect the pace at which your match wants to move the connection forward. Refrain from being too pushy.
- Refrain from asking/sharing details that are too personal during early online communication, like last names, addresses and places of work or Facebook profiles. It is important to wait for the connection to be at such a level where you have at least had a face-to-face meeting, before asking or sharing this information.
- First meetings should never be at you or your match’s residence. Always meet in public places first, until you really feel comfortable with each other. Also, don’t ask or suggest to your match to be picked up at home. Both of you should use your own transport for the first couple of dates.
- Aim for a coffee date for the first meeting instead of a dinner date in case you are experiencing discomfort, giving you an easy opt out because of the shorter acceptable timeframe.
- Be respectful and courteous to yourself, and always let a friend or family member know when and where you will be meeting your match. Also arrange with them to check in after the first few dates. This will ensure that you feel much safer, more relaxed and contained.
- Never ask or offer nude photos of yourself to your match. This is both disrespectful to yourself, as well as to your match. Allow your relationship to develop naturally on all levels of intimacy, not only one.
