Dating Tips for Shy Guys

Couple eating popcorn inside a theater Shyness doesn’t have to hold you back from dating. Follow these dating tips for shy guys so you will have an enjoyable dating experience.

Dating can be a challenge for anyone, and this is especially true for shy guys. It is hard for a shy guy to muster the courage to approach a girl and start a conversation — let alone go on a date with her. But being shy doesn’t always have to hold you back from meeting someone you like. You just have to put in extra effort to find ways to make it work for you.

Reliable Dating Tips for Shy Guys

Being shy doesn’t have to get in the way of your dating life. You can use that fact in your favor. Being shy is often translated by girls as being nice, so that’s one thing you got going for you.

But being nice isn’t always enough to get you through a date. Yeah, you might pique her interest just by being nice, but it can get old real quick. You have to supplement that with these reliable dating tips for shy guys.

Practice makes perfect.

If you don’t feel like you are ready to date, then it’s always a great idea to practice with your female friends. Exposing yourself to a dating environment with a girl will help you grow accustomed to a dating setting, making you less anxious when you’re on a real date. Practice will also help you get over your fear of interaction.

Ensure proper hygiene.

A shy guy can feel awkward during a date because he often thinks he’s got something on his face, that his hair looks funny, or that maybe he smells. Get rid of all these negative thoughts by practicing proper hygiene before the date. Take a bath, brush your teeth, use deodorant, comb your hair, and put on clean clothes.

Go on an active date.

Sitting face-to-face with a girl can be brutal to a shy guy, and dead air doesn’t always impress her. Instead, choose an active date where you are not required to sit down for hours thinking about what you should say next. Figure out her hobbies beforehand and arrange a date based on your findings. For example, if she likes rock climbing, go on a rock climbing date with her. That way, you don’t have to sit for hours thinking about your next move because you can just talk about the activity as you are doing it together. You don’t have to go through an awkward sitting-in-silence date when you can both have a fun date while doing what she likes.

Leave your problems behind.

Never bring your problems to your date. Leave them where they should be. Remember that you are there to enjoy quality time with her — not to get her involved with your problems. Constantly thinking about your problems during a date can also distract you, and you’ll miss important details about your conversations. Women have an innate ability to know when you are not paying attention to them.

A photo of a woman using an online dating app. Online dating is a good way for shy guys to get acclimated to talking and interacting with women without the need to be there physically.

Try online dating.

Online dating is a good alternative for shy guys. You can meet women without having to see them in person. You can hide behind the safety of your screen if you feel insecure about yourself. Over time, you will feel more confident and comfortable talking to a woman that you will no longer feel anxious meeting her in person. You can read our guide on how to write an effective online profile if you need online dating tips for shy guys.

Build friendships first.

Fun fact: Shy guys are not shy when they’re with friends, and the reason is simple — we tend to feel more comfortable with friends. That’s why it is recommended to first build a friendship with your date before you move on to a relationship. Once you befriend her, you’ll find that talking to her becomes easier and you no longer feel anxious being around her.

Be open to rejection.

Accept that things will not always go your way. No matter how prepared you are or how many times you practice, rejection is always a part of dating. Do not lose your self-worth when she rejects you because it’s not always about you. It might be because of your approach or how your interests differ. Take rejection as a learning experience and an opportunity to further improve your shy guy dating game.

Acknowledge your shyness.

The first step in dealing with any problem is acknowledging its existence. You can never face something you think doesn’t exist. You can’t take steps to correct something that isn’t there in the first place. If you want to overcome your shyness, admit that you have it. Only then can you take the necessary steps to improve yourself.

Know your worth.

Shy guys find dating a challenge because they often believe they are not worthy of love and affection. Practice self-affirmation to increase your confidence and raise your self-esteem. You are not the failure that you think yourself to be. You deserve to be happy and loved.

Move on from the past.

A bad dating experience can affect your dating game. It can be a reason why you’ve become shy around women — because you’re afraid of making the same mistake. If that’s the case, you need to learn to move on from the past. You are not the same person, and your past does not define who you are. Let go of negative past experiences so you can positively change how you approach women.

A guy pampering himself with a well-deserved bath. Don’t be afraid to pamper yourself. Practicing proper hygiene helps make you feel more confident on your date.

Don't be Too Hard on Yourself

Don’t rush to be in a relationship. As a shy guy, you shouldn’t pressure yourself into dating and relationships if you are not ready. Proceed at your own pace so you can work on yourself if there’s a need to. And when you are ready, follow these dating tips for shy guys to improve your chances at dating.

Or you can join other like-minded men through our socials, where our expert matchmakers can pair you up with a woman you can only dream of before. We’ll help get you past your shy phase so you can have an enjoyable dating experience.