Credit Crunch Bonanza

I don't think the 'credit crunch' has hit that many people! It's a bold statement I know in these unpredictable times but unless you're unemployed or in negative equity the rest of the population really don't seem to be suffering that much. Take mortgages for instance - most peoples biggest monthly financial commitment - well a lot have actually come down! Another reason I feel that many people aren't suffering, as the media would have us believe, is that we've never been so busy. When I say 'we' I mean my Introduction/Dating Agency called Tempting Fate. As we specialise in quality people and interview everyone and although have a wonderful website, you cannot actually become a member without meeting us. This month has already been the busiest I've seen for many years and it does just make me wonder about the general synopsis put out by newspapers and t.v. that so many are suffering.

Well I can tell you that our members aren't. We specialise in people who really do care who they meet and who want to meet interesting, attractive singles all guaranteed not to be married. In fact this particular set of singles seem to be busier than ever looking for that special person in their life at the moment.

Many people ask me if Internet Dating has affected our business and in fact it's actually helped it. Why? Well those I've spoken to that have tentatively tried it have said firstly they wouldn't put a photo of themselves out to the Universe, secondly absolutely no one is checking out online people and thirdly most they'd heard from had lied either about their age, looks, weight or marital status. Did you know that 40% of people on internet dating are married.

So back to my original point. Our singles are certainly not suffering from lack of credit or crunch. A final word to any singles reading this just remember we do the tempting and the rest is up to fate!!!

The Perfect Man

There has been much publicity lately about what exactly makes the 'perfect man'. Analysts have diagnosed statistical measurements, looked at appropriate data, compared ideal matches etc etc. But hang on a moment why aren't we talking about more to the point - what makes a 'perfect woman'? Let's face it pundits can come up with all sorts of dribble on height, colouring of hair, hand size, shape of face and body BUT who's perect really is this. I've met many very good looking men in the course of my work and life and believe me there's usually something lacking i.e. personality in most of them! Surely if someone is only looking for a good looking man or beautiful woman this denotes a very shallow person. After all looks can change and fade with time and what you actually do to your body. Smoking ages people badly, wrong diet makes people look tired and 'grey' lack of exercise makes people look 'bloaty'. So what would you have left once the looks have gone. Nothing but a very dull person. That's why I really don't believe that you can judge a person by a photo only. The usual internet dating sites rely heavily on who's put the most attractive photo by their details to get the most hits. Many dating agencies conentrate on showing you a photo album of their members for you to choose from.

Have you ever looked back on photos of yourself in the last few years. I bet that on some you look good, on others you're tempted to throw them away! However getting back to the perfect man/woman - we all have to ask ourselves this question first.... Am I Perfect? If you are still alive and kicking then you must be a human being and they are just not perfect. So why are people chasing this image of this person.

It's been said many a time that if a man has a great personality where he can make a woman laugh, then he has nothing else to worry about, including his looks. We are attracted to people for numerous reasons and there's very often many times when you can't define what it is.

That's why holding out for anyone who is 'perfect' or really good looking is a waste of your time. It's far more than that we should be looking for but above all else we have to enjoy being with that person.

First Date Disasters

No matter how old you are going on a first date with someone new can be daunting. What do you wear, what should you talk about, what do you do if the minute you see them you know you've made a big mistake. Well here's a few guidelines to help you through those tricky moments.

Firstly never arrange to meet for more than an hour. Why because you have a 'get out' clause if things don't go well. Also you can tell quite a lot in an hour and you won't be wasting any of your precious time.

Never arrange to go for a meal on a first date - you could end up being stuck with someone who's totally wrong for you for hours on end. Plus it's pretty nerve wracking to start eating in front of a complete stranger and make polite conversation!

Of course if you do go for the meal foods which are definitely NO GO ones are spinach - getting a bit stuck inbetween your front teeth could be devasting when you smile. Soup is another as if you're nervous your spoon will shake and you could end up with it down the front of your clothes. If it's too hot you certainly wont want to be cooling it down by blowing it either. Going for meats that could need lot of cutting again could play havoc on the nerves. Stick to something simple to eat and that wont make a mess.

Always look your absolute best on a first date. You never know he/she could be the one and you want to impress don't you. Make sure you smell good too but not overpoweringly so. Check out your breath and preferably don't eat garlic or strong curries the evening before as they'll leave a strong smell on your breat that perhaps you won't realise but believe me someone near you will. Don't smoke just before as you'll still smell of it. Also not a good idea to drink alcohol either - it could affect your mood or opinions.

Never ever talk about your 'ex' on a first date. It's an absolute no go area. You won't believe the people who go on and on about this and it'll turn most off.

Never ever ever talk about any illnesses, aches or pains or operations you've had either. No one wants to hear about this on a first date.

Make eye contact with the person your meeting, even if you don't think you want to see them again. It's polite to look at them and not around the room at anyone better you may spot.

Finally smile - it doesn't cost anything and your face becomes more attractive.

Walkers - not Ramblers or Crisps

I was asked by BBC Radio Suffolk recently to talk on the new terminology they'd heard of called 'walkers'. In fact this is the modern word for single people - particularly females - to hire in someone of the opposite sex to accompany them to an important occasion, such as a Dinner Dance or Ball, where a partner really is essential.

This term was first used by Nancy Reagan who regularly hired in suitable companions to accompany her to various events, when her husband was otherwise engaged trying to run the country. Of course the word Escort is still used but just try putting this into Google and you'll come up with many seedy looking sites that pertain to offer far more than just a companion for a few hours to a social event!

It is a fact of today's modern singles society that unfortunately for females over 50 there does seem to be a lack of suitable males around. So it stands to reason that when that special invite comes winging it's way through the letterbox, a sense of despair can often be felt by some. Many people I've spoken to would in fact rather stay at home, than risk the embarrassment of turning up on their own, whilst everyone else is part of a couple.

However hiring someone suitable in isn't a bad idea as long as you can trust them not to give the game away and very importantly as long as they look and sound good. A recent businessman I met actually told me that he had been asked on several occasions to be a 'companion' for the evening. He had an existing partner who doesn't mind him taking on this extra service and he's quite happy to provide it. This is where its so essential to make sure that who you get in is someone who really can easily talk to others in a social setting. It's all very well having a young stud by your side if you're looking to impress the rest but if they can't hold a decent conversation you'd be sunk.

So have you ever had the need or in fact ever used a hired in date? I'd really like to hear from you if you have.

Older males and Choice

It is a known researched fact that at the moment in Britain there are at least 6 females to every male over the age of 50. Why? Well hard to definitely determine except that men do seem to die younger than women but in the 50 to 60 age group this shouldn't apply.

The Association of British Introduction Agencies have done their own surveys and have categorically found that all over Britain the 6 females to every male ratio is accurate. This is backed up by many people I talk to and meet in my business. Women are saying that singles holidays they go on are full of women and hardly any men. Any dancing classes they attend are overloaded with females and the lucky few males getting quite frantic with the line of women waiting to dance with them. Many other social events such as speed dating and dining clubs have also experienced this. Is it because men don't feel they need to do anything other than their usual everyday life, to be able to meet that special person? Is it because they may feel it isn't macho to try other ways of meeting the opposite sex? A lot of men of course usually want to meet younger women and this in itself causes the lack of available older men around too.

So what do women do when they reach this stage of their lives and are single. Well firstly they have to start taking more care of themselves. Looking and feeling good are paramount when trying to meet others because quite frankly the competition is high. Secondly they must try doing different things in their lives such as joining various groups, societies, evening classes and take up new hobbies, sports and generally expanding what they enjoy doing. By increasing the activies in their lives they are increasing the chances of meeting different people and maybe finding that special person. Of course a reputable, good quality personal Introduction Service such as ours Tempting Fate can help too. In fact a couple in their 50's I matched the previous year got married last summer and I was invited to the Reception.

So try firstly looking at yourself, expanding your lifestyle and of course try Tempting Fate!

Radio 5 Live

The other Monday I was driving to an appointment and listening to BBC Radio Five Live. They had a phone-in programme featuring a new book entitled 'Men - where the *** have they all gone?' The Author was being interviewed who presumably was in her mid 30's and she was saying that she searched Britain for available, eligible, decent men in the age group of 30's to 40's but in fact she concluded there were none out there! Well I was enraged, as I had plenty of members on my books in this age group and have a fairly even balance of male to females of this age but in fact sometimes need more females. I phoned in and incredibly the Producer put me on air. I have been on several radio slots before but this was all so sudden that I had no time to think. However I questioned this and said that the quality of my younger males, as with all of my members was great with people such as Doctors, Squadren Leaders in RAF, Entrepreneurs, Creative people and Academics, to name a few categories on my books. As we interview everyone first, I can honestly say that 100% all say 'WHERE DO YOU GO?' to find decent, quality single people. The answer is there's is nowhere and everywhere. The chances of meeting someone special are usually by chance, luck, friends, workplace or fate. The interviewer suggested it might be an idea for the author and I to get-together. I havn't heard from her yet but feel tempted to see if I can call her to challenge finding her that very person she's obviously looking for. As my company is called Tempting Fate it might be apt that I do!

Sleeping Alone

More and more people I speak to will admit, in a moment of weakness, that they just don't like sharing their bed with their partner. Don't get me wrong - they like the cuddles etc but when it comes to spending the whole night with another human being by their sides, they'd prefer to be sleeping alone! Number one reason must be that nearly half the population suffer from that dreadful noise called 'snoring'. If you've experienced laying next to one (as I have) you will vow never again to share your once peaceful nights ever again. Being a light sleeper as well, limits how long you can stand trying to sleep beside someone who makes any sort of noise, who turns round a lot or who robs you of any covering during the night too. Sounds familiar well evidently it's catching on in the US with 60% of the population now insisting on two master bedrooms.

In public life only royalty openly admit to having their own bedrooms. Many ordinary people though will never say anything, all through their married lives, for fear of upsetting their partner. It seems that it could be considered a crime to want a separate bedroom to get the peace you deserve through the night. Sharing a bed with another leads to all sorts of problems that can really be avoided. How about when one person wants to read a book and has to have a light on somewhere. Don't tell me that the other person trying to sleep beside them can happily turn over and not notice? Likewise others like to listen to the radio at bedtime or watch the tv in bed - what happens to the other poor soul who's trying to get off in peace?

To me it makes sense that you don't have to share your bed or bedroom with anyone else through the night but that you have the kind of restful sleep YOU want, not that your partner has to have. Don't get me wrong, I love being close to the right person but another plus for spending the night alone is that absence really can keep romance alive.

For anyone still looking for that 'special person' you might like to be Tempting Fate. Our Personal Introduction service that could provide the answer.
Go to www.tempting-fate.com for more information.

Single Stress

Can you trust surveys? Well the latest, yet again, is that people live longer, happier and suffer from less stress, if their with a partner. However in my experience living with someone that doesn't satisfy you own particular needs, can be far lonelier than living on your own. Everyone has different priorities in life. Some people crave financial security, some a better place to live, some a decent holiday but above all else we all want 'happiness'. But then you have to ask yourself what really would make you happy. Would it be to have any of the above or to actually find your soul mate. Stress shared is easier when you have someone close to you to talk about things.

Stress as we now know can even cause serious illnesses. It has to be the number one problem of our modern day society. With our conventional family status eroding very quickly nowadays, is it any wonder that for those that are living on their own, which is getting to mega proportions, do suffer more stress related problems?

However, friends are even more important to singles now and valuing them has never been greater. The old saying that partners can come and go but friends are there forever is so true.
So why not go out today and find a new friend. It's not hard. They could be anywhere. People in Britain don't openly talk to strangers so much as perhaps continentals do. But just try it - I've been experimenting lately and if you can make the first move to open conversation, then usually the other person is very pleased to be able to chat.

So take the stress out of being a single, living on your own and expand your friends.

Moving In

How wonderful to hear of happy pairings, when just last week I received an email from two members I introduced to each other, only this March, to say that they were moving in together. Both in their 30's, Laura already having tried an unsuccessful marriage and with a young child and Simon who had never married and didn't particularly think he'd want to meet someone with a child already, hit it off almost immediately. Chemistry is such a unique, indescribeable emotion that I just wish I could find the magic potion to sell! Very, very often people end up falling for someone who's quite different from the picture or description they had of that future special person. However having had many years experience in matching people who are looking for that little bit more with their introductions, I feel I can spot those possibilities of magic.

Membership is growing throughout East Anglia, with another happy pair, who only joined this summer, coming from Essex and Cambridge. We even have members in Lincolnshire too.

There does seem to be a slight shortage of females in their 20's and 30's still. But we are always interested in any quality single person who is really looking to meet that special person in their life. Single, divorced, widow and widowers, spanning from 20's to 60's are amongst our members, living in Cambridge, Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, Peterborough and Lincolnshire, and yes even Hertfordshire.

Of course we are too probably the only Personal Introduction Service in these areas specialising in only taking on non-smoking members. In line with more environmentally minded individuals, we take this very seriously. We have to cater for what our members want and don't want and this is definitely a 'no go' area.

Non-Smokers are Tempting Fate

Yes Tempting Fate is the only Personal Introduction Service in East Anglia, that has formally banned smokers. We had an unwritten rule for some time, that heavy smokers were becoming less and less wanted by our members and in fact, on a recent survey of our members, we discovered that 99% were non-smokers anyway. However we had one agitated member who phoned last week, to say that in fact he did have the occasional pipe whilst doing the gardening, but never smoked indoors or in company. This is perfectly acceptable, as is the occasional cigar or cigarette outside of the home and being very occasional. The reasons are as we've said our members just don't want to meet smokers anymore. They don't like the smell on smokers clothes, hair and breathe and are quite adament about this.

So for a healthier, smoke-free meeting with other quality singles Tempting Fate is the answer!

Loneliness - Britain's changing nation

It's said that there are more than 7 million people living on their own now in Britain. Never have we as a country experienced this before and real loneliness can lead to all sorts of problems, including serious illness.

Have you ever sat around over a weekend, to find that the only person you perhaps have talked to was the assistant in the shop you visited and that was only to take your money? As more and more people leave the areas they grew up in, as well as family and friends they were familiar with, our nation is becoming more stressed, depressed but eager to overcome these problems. And it's not just older people - it's affecting people as young as 20. So how can you be comfortable being alone, which is so different from being lonely.

The conventional ways of joining a new club, society, taking up a new hobby or even in fact getting yourself a dog - are all tried and tested ways that could work. But what if your lonely for a new partner. You have many friends but when you close your door of an evening, it's then that you may feel at your loneliest. With no one to talk over the day, the news, your feelings with, this is the classic time that single people particularly wonder how they could find someone special in their lives. Unfortunately nowadays there is no special place to go, to meet decent people, as its so much down to luck, fate and circumstances, which sometimes need pushing a little to succeed!

That's why Tempting Fate was founded - it's the thinking, quality persons way to meet that someone special in your life. We meet everyone before anyone becomes a member, to make sure we really can help them. With many success stories already and a Wedding Reception to go to this weekend, from a couple introduced by us last August, Tempting Fate could be your answer too, at least to meet some interesting new people in your life.

Single Living

I've recently read an article about the joys of being together but actually not living together. For those over the age of 45 and who've been through messy, costly divorces this might well be the answer for your own security. So often we give up homes and possessions to share with someone else, only to find down the line that it's just not going to work long term. So how would you feel being close with a special person but living in your own home? Dating and the single's market is fraught with various surprises along the way but everyone should be ultra careful when deciding firstly to meet strangers and secondly not to give up anything unless youre absolutely sure of the person. Too many times I've heard about dreadful stories on internet dating with many who pretend to be single but in fact are with someone already. The lure of an annonymous creation of a character is just too great for some and if youre not sure - always get someone's home phone number - check it out, and make sure you meet somewhere public, as well as telling a friend to phone you after a while to check youre ok.

At Tempting Fate - the quality, successful Personal Introduction Service - the dangers are removed as everyone is seen and we do have certain conditions which we check for any potential members. So remember it should be fun dating and being with someone. The time it's not is the time to consider your future.

Scenic Cambridge

I had some friends from Wales stay with me last week and I took them to Cambridge to view some of the many historic sites there. As we walked across Parkers Piece the lawns were buzzing with many people enjoying this wonderful weather we are experiencing at the moment. Cambridge Market is a place not to miss if you do visit Cambridge as the standard and variety surpass many a European Market. As always Cambridge was crowded with young students but also many tourists, as you'd expect and people of all ages. It got me wondering where everyone was from and where they were going and very importantly if they had someone special in their lives. My friends have been married for 25 years and still very happy together. However the initial first love enthusiasm usually always - when your lucky - begins to develop into a much more mature relationship, where you do truly know each other and feel utterly comfortable with each other. Despite the crowds in our areas today it's still incredibly difficult to meet that special person. You pass many possible candidates along the way but how would you know if they're looking for someone? I suggest we start wearing a special badge (small that is) to let people know we're single - that's all - the rest is up to each of us to be brave enough to introduce ourselves. Would anyone do that I wonder? Of course another alternative is to be Tempting Fate - the quality Personal Introduction Service offering singles s0 much more and with a radius of members some 30 miles around Cambridge - www.tempting-fate.com

Football Crazy

As the majority of England brace themselves for this Saturday's match, how many single loney people are there out there, just wishing it would all go away and that life could get back to normal?
Personally I love football, particularly when England play and win! However I know many other people who don't have the same interest and to be on your own at this time of year, seems even more difficult. The WAGS are ok, as although they may be on their own for many long hours, whilst their partners are practising, they do eventually meet up. For those in our society who are without that special person in their life, the days can seem extra long and lonely during this 'silly season'. Many resort to internet dating to desperately try to meet someone meaningful but the disastrous stories which emanate every day really do make you realise that this way of trying to find your match is prone to complications. Why not try the safe, tested and successful way to meet that special new person in your life by contact Tempting Fate. We are the leading Personal Introduction Service in East Anglia with an office in Cambridge and members spanning a 30 mile radius across Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Peterborough. We specialise in business, professional, creative and quality singles and help to match them to suitable people. We have many wonderful stories of how people have found love and their soul mate through us. Visit our website to find out more about how we could help you at www.tempting-fate.com

Internet Dating Cheats

In the press recently there was an article on how a John Prescott lookalike swindled £10,000 out of two unsuspecting women he'd befriended via internet dating. Evidently these poor females believed that he was rich and famous - like his make-believe brother - and they were tempted to give him money. A lesson to anyone who's dabbling on these sites is to always make sure you really get to know someone via emails and phone calls and always, always get their home phone number to make sure they're not married first. The horror stories go on and on about this way of meeting people and I hear them all the time when I'm interviewing prospective members. Quality people that want a higher standard of introduction should only ever use a respectable Personal Introduction Service such as ours. Tempting Fate has many members throughout Cambridge, Suffolk, Norfolk and Peterborough who have found that special person. We ask for a copy of a Passport or Driving Licence and a copy of a utility bill which all prove who the person really is - so better to be safe than sorry!

Radio Love

Exciting news - I've just been asked by BBC3 Counties Radio to go over to their Studios in Luton to be on their show discussing relationships and dating issues. Tempting Fate has their head office in Cambridge but members come from across East Anglia and the Counties Radio reaches areas that we cover. They particularly want to talk about love the second time around for the over 50's. This is a hot topic at the moment what with the population reaching almost two thirds to 45's and over soon. Some interesting statistics emanate from the Association of British Introduction Agencies, in that the ratio of males to females in this age group is 6 women to every man, that currently come forward as singles looking for someone. Lucky men who seem to have a wide choice at the moment. However I truly believe that if you do keep yourself looking, feeling and being young everyone will find that special person in their life.

I'm told so many times by people I interview that they just don't feel their age. If you look back to when your parents were in their 50's I expect you'll realise that people nowadays just don't look their age any longer. Some prime role models of this are Jane Fonda, Felicity Kendall and Twiggy. All these women are 5o's to 60's and look fantastic.

Another Radio Station that has contacted me is the West Suffolk Hospital Radio based in Bury St Edmunds. This is the number one radio station for those people who unfortunately have to spend some time there. The programmes are very varied and interesting with lots of special requests being played. I've again been asked to talk about dating issues and personal relationships. I expect when youre lying in your hospital bed you can go over and over again in your mind the relationship youre in or not, as the case may be! I'll be answering some questions from patients on some of their problems and giving them some tips for improving their love life.

I really enjoy radio and would love to try doing more in their area. More of that later.....

Love is in the Air!

Having just returned from a 'behind the scenes' tour of Stansted Airport today, I felt I must let you all know of some fascinating statistics. Did you know that Stansted which borders Essex, Cambridge and Suffolk has over 22 million passengers a year.

Many would be singles fly out regularly to perhaps try to meet that special person on a romantic holiday. Of course Fate plays a huge part in this, if unattached people actually do ever meet or have a romance. Dating on holiday can be extremely precarious - particularly if the person you meet lives in another part of the country or indeed another country.

Having local singles to meet is far more convenient for most and that's where Tempting Fate can help. Our distinctive Personal Introduction Service can help those who are looking for quality introductions into the singles market. With a central office in Cambridge our members are spanned across a 30 miles radius which includes Cambridge, Peterborough, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.

Relationships are however not an issue for the Greater Crested Newts. On our trip around Stansted we learnt that there are thousands of them based there, which makes it very weird as these are supposed to be an extremely rare species.

If you are looking for an enjoyable and confidential way to meet new single people then contact Tempting Fate as your number one choice. Don't leave meeting the right person to chance. Feel assured that the safest and most accurate way to find your new partner is by Tempting Fate not by flying off somewhere new. Relationships for singles really can be great now.

Hello All Singles

If you're on your own but would like to be part of a couple again then Tempting Fate is your answer.

This new blogging site will help you into the sometimes scarry world of dating and meeting new people.