It's Just Lunch Vancouver

Improve your self-confidence and sex appeal!

Try these six boosters to improve your self-confidence and sex appeal!

• Stop measuring yourself against others, especially celebrities or fashion models. Recognize that you are a hot ticket with a unique set of qualities and attributes. If you believe you are special, you will attract a partner who appreciates what you have to offer. Tell yourself, “I’m great just the way I am” or “I’m exciting” or “I’m lovable.” You are! This kind of pep talk helps imprint positive messages into your brain and eventually will change your outlook.
• Remember, the very characteristic or behavior that turns one person off may turn another person on. Don’t waste your time with people who don’t recognize what you have to offer. Learn to love yourself for everything that you are and everything you’re not. When you like who you are, people will naturally drawn to you.
• Surround yourself with people who treat you with the love and respect you deserve. If you have people  in your life who are overly critical or negative, weed them out.
• If you’re not happy with the way you look, treat yourself and to a new look. Join a gym and build self-confidence. You’ll feel like a million bucks. Dress and act like your best at all times, because you never know when you might run into someone special. When you look good, you feel good too.
• Step outside your own boundaries. Join Toastmasters, take a dance class or a stand-up comedy class, go horseback riding or parachuting. Push through your fears and you’ll find yourself alive with confidence.
• Finally, date more. As you handle all the different situations you come across, it will reinforce positive feelings about yourself and boost your confidence in dating ability.

At the end of the day, everybody could use a little improvement. Nobody’s perfect and no one ever will be, so you have to balance your desire to be all that you can be with your willingness to accept who you are.

 

The Three-Day Rule is Outdated

There’s an interesting process that many of us go through when meeting someone for the first time on a date—almost like an internal checklist. Are they physically my type? Do they communicate well? What are they doing with their lives, and if so, are they happy doing it? But then come a laundry list of other attributes we may notice in the course of getting to know someone. How do intangibles fit into the dating equation?

In our latest It’s Just Lunch dating survey, we covered a select number of intangibles out of countless traits that people may possess based on recent trends we’ve noticed. Let’s dive in:

 

The “Text-Back”

There is an outdated mode of thinking called the “three-day rule” that often prevents men (or women) from calling after the first date for fear of seeming desperate. Our thoughts? If you enjoyed your date and want to see this person again, why not just communicate those thoughts? So, is a text to your date that evening after your first meet up appropriate, or just too soon?

A majority of both men (57%) and women (64%) said a text setting up a second date would be cute and they would gladly text back. In fact, 24% of men would call back if they received a text from a date; 13% of women were also inclined to call. Only 18% of men and 22% of women suggested a same-evening text might be a little “too soon.”

It’s Just Lunch’s take: If you enjoyed your date, why wait? But don’t abuse communication; a slew of texts could be a signal you are desperate.

Magic Found at It's Just Lunch Vancouver

We love getting feedback from our clients! A touching letter received from Martin and Karen:

Dear Jacquie and It’s Just Lunch Vancouver,

To begin with I decided to start dating after a 19 year marriage came to an end. We had been together for 25 years and the thought of dating was not only foreign but daunting. After spending what seemed like fruitless hours on the internet I decided to use the membership services offered by It's Just Lunch after a recommendation from a friend.

The dates that were arranged were all great in their own unique way. Everything arranged was exciting and professionally managed at great venues.

A week before my membership was going to expire I was contacted by a coordinator to go on another date. I thought I would go to what could be the last date arranged by It’s Just Lunch.

 The date was arranged for Diva at The Met on a scorching hot day in July – the 16^th to be exact. I could walk to the venue and was reminded how hot summers could be in Vancouver. I arrived early and as usual the host knew why I was there as the reservation had been made by It’s Just Lunch and then “magic” happened.

 I remember Karen walking through the door and I felt like a schoolboy on a first date.  She had arrived promptly on time and we started talking. We started talking about our experiences with It’s Just Lunch and the circumstances that had us decide to become members. It turns out that Karen had just started her membership and I was her second date. We talked into the late evening and came to the realization our date had gone on for 6 hours! We had been matched with so many common interests it could have gone on for much longer. We arranged to see each other again and have been together ever since.

It is difficult to put into words when “magic” happens, when you find that certain someone that to this day, some 3 years later, still makes me feel like a schoolboy on a first date again, every time we see each other.

We are both grateful that we found each other through an introduction by It’s Just Lunch. The possibility of us meeting without It’s Just Lunch would have been pretty slim.

I hope this helps put into perspective how we feel about our experience and hope that someone else that reads this finds the same “magic” we did.

 

Respectfully

 

Martin and Karen

 

 

Ever thought of being a Matchmaker?

 

 

 

INSIDE SALES DIRECTOR

It’s Just Lunch Vancouver, Canada’s Premier Matchmaking firm, is seeking focused candidates with a proven track record of success to grow with us in one of the most dynamic and fastest growing industries in the country. We are a dynamic and entrepreneurial organization with a nationally recognized brand featured in The Globe, Cosmopolitan Magazine, NPR and on the Canada AM as well as many others Our clients expect an energetic and “recruiter-minded” individual to offer expertise and guidance during the interview process, as well as provide a realistic picture of potential matches for them within our service. Our fast-paced environment requires multi-tasking skills and the ability to communicate effectively.

• Top candidates will be confident, organized, and enthusiastic about our concept.
• Demonstrated experience in professional sales with proven closing success in prospecting, relationship building and cold-calling.
• Able to target and develop clients through existing database and new lead contacts.
• Provide a consultative approach to meet with clients to evaluate their needs and recommend solutions to ensure expectations are being met
• Ability to flexibly manage time to maximize sales and accommodate clients needs which includes willingness to work extended hours
• Must have the ability to establish rapport with a wide variety of people.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

If you are interested in applying for the Inside Sales Director position, send your cover letter and resume to jobs@ijlvancouver.com with Ref: 2012SalesDirector in the subject headline

If You Don’t Have a Job, At Least Have a Plan

So what if you’re unemployed? In the economy, it’s a common theme—even among professionals. Well, we have good news and bad news:

The bad news first. While about 65% of men surveyed by It’s Just Lunch said they would have no problem going out on a date with a women who was unemployed, women were far less amenable to the idea, with only 25% saying they would go out on a date with unemployed men. In fact, 33% of women said they would rule out a date entirely with a guy who is unemployed, compared to only 8% of men.

As we mentioned before, both our male and female respondents suggest we still tend to seek more traditional roles, even when it’s being set up for a first date. Men don’t mind providing to a woman who is out of work, but women seek men who have the ability to do some of the providing—at least an equal share of it. Here’s where the good news comes in. About 42% of women said they would consider a date with an unemployed man, as long as he had a plan for getting back on track.

What’s the key? Unemployment shouldn’t disqualify you from dating, but remember to focus on your own life too. The dating market isn’t as tough as the job market, but for both—having a plan is the difference between finding a successful match and being left out in the cold.

What do Vancouverites think?

Does your career have an effect on your first dates?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we aren’t eating, sleeping, playing, or working out, the vast majority of us are working. In fact, nowadays Vancouverites work on average almost 8.6 hours per day. Even though we spend well over half of our waking lives at work, do we allow our careers to define who we are? More importantly, do we bring up our careers on a first date?

Employment Benefits According to the majority of our respondents, the question of one’s career on the first date is an inevitable topic of discussion, with 53% of both men and women saying they feel comfortable about bringing up the subject. However, 32% of men and 26% of women said they would only mention their careers in passing, but avoid the details, at least on a first date.

So, do you bring up your career on a first date? Why not? Your career path is certainly a valuable insight in to who you are as a person. However, don’t let it dominate the entirety of the conversation. On the other hand, acting completely aloof about your career will make you seem a bit cagey.

Traditional Ideals or 21st Century Living?

Interestingly enough, men and women end up diverging when it comes to ideas about career paths, money, and unemployment or underemployment. Our survey uncovered a mix of attitudes between the sexes that suggested longstanding traditional thoughts about who should provide in a relationship, yet also demonstrate modern ideas about the “career-oriented couple.”

Consider this: do we want to date someone with similar professional aspirations in mind? For men, the concept split fairly evenly, with 49% saying they would like to date a woman on a similar track, and with 51% saying similarities in careers do not matter as much. For women, however, the stakes were slightly different. A clear majority of women (68%) said they prefer to date a man with similar career aspirations.

It’s even more interesting when it comes to the question of money. Women have a more egalitarian approach to the question of who earns what. While the majority of men, over 71%, wouldn’t care if they deduced their date made far less money than them, women were more split on the issue. About 22% said they wouldn’t care if they made more money than their date. Yet, 47% of women surveyed said it would be a bit of a concern to them and a further 24% said it presented a big concern. In summary, when it comes to earning money in the 21st century world, there’s something to be said about being on equal footing. After all, we’re well past Mad Men and Downtown Abbey-era thoughts on employment.

Men are more interested in a relationship than women?

In our Dating Trends survey we asked singles: “When you are on a first date, what thought is going through your head?”  We received an unexpected result: not only did men and women have different top answers, but the first choice given by 47% of men, “Could we have a relationship together?” was one that in the past would have seemed more typical of women.  Instead, women’s top answer, given by 50% of those polled, was the less stressful “Do I want to see him again?”  Our Dating Trends surveys are beginning to show that men and women are becoming more alike in their dating habits and in some areas, they’re beginning to trade places.

 Another area where men and women are becoming more alike, especially over the last seven years, is in how fast they decide on a first date whether or not they want to see someone again. In 2004, there was a huge disparity, where 79% of men took fifteen minutes or less--and 64% of women took an hour or more! In 2011, 60% of men and 55% of women take twenty minutes or less. Unfortunately these results are not surprising.  We are so used to demanding and getting instant information that we are beginning to become impatient and closed off, sometimes to our own detriment.  

So what should we do?  Maybe we all should slow down a bit when meeting someone for the first time.  Give the relationship time to develop.

Dating Karma

Dating Karma

It’s true – what you put out is what you get back! Whether you believe in the whole principle of karma or not, the idea behind it makes sense. If you are constantly thinking you’re too fat, too skinny, too old, too poor, too stupid, or too anything to attract a love match, chances are you probably won’t.

If you believe there are only jerks, gold diggers or messed up people out there, these are the people you will meet. If you think dating is a complete waste of time, then it will be! Negative thoughts produce negative results. It becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. 

If this sounds like you, then make a promise to yourself to stop it. RIGHT NOW! When you catch yourself in a negative thought, give yourself a little pep talk . Say “stop” and turne the thought around to something more positive. Give yourself a compliment about on of your strengths. You get the idea!

Happy Dating

Dating Tips from the Dating Specialists!

 

Dating tips from the First Date Specialists

1. Get interested in them and they will get interested in you. What is it that people like to talk about the most? Themselves, of course. Ask questions about where they like to go, what they like to do, who interests them and why they do what they do. You'll be talking all night.

2. Keep the conversation light and fun! Stay away from talking about your ex. If your date should ask, say something positive, keep it short and sweet.

3. Keep in mind that anything you say negatively about someone else reflects badly on you.

4. It’s all about attitude! Go on each date with a positive attitude and an open mind. He or she may not be the one, but they may introduce you to the one.

5. First date conversations killers: past relationships, dieting/body image, marriage or politics.

6. Turn your Iphone or Blackberry OFF! Give your date your full attention... it’s the polite thing to do.

Would You Date You?

Would You Date You?

Think about it. Would you? This is a very important point. Unless you become the type of person you're looking for, you wont attract the type of person you seek. Have you ever known men or women who aren't necessarily the most handsome or pretty individuals but they never lack dates? What makes them so attractive? You guessed it: self confidence, and it's contagious. It also screams sex appeal. These people are glowing with a bright, friendly, fun attitude, and they have a genuine interest in others. They're happy with who they are and appreciate what they have to offer. This positive energy attracts an abundance of people who want to meet them. Self confidence produces amazing results.

 

Here's why:

It's sexy!
It allows you to relax and have fun.
It means you take rejection lightly and not personally.
It makes it clear that you are not desperate.
It means you're content with yourself, your looks and your life - which only makes you more attractive.

In order to gain self-confidence, you must first learn how to love yourself. It's important that you recognize and appreciate what's great about you- and accept what's not so great. If you don't love and accept who you are, how do you expect someone else to?

Finding Her Soulmate

It's Just Lunch matchmakers are responsible for thousands of second dates, long term relationships, engagements and marriages!  We have arranged over two million fun first dates in our 20 years and we love to hear when these introductions lead to something more. 

Our latest success story comes from Danielle. While she claims to be "picky", we like to think of it as waiting for her soulmate.  Here's her story on how she found him:

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It's Just lunch has completely changed my life.  My girlfriend told me to go on it since I don't like going to the bars and hate the pickup scene. I have been married before for 20 years and I knew I was really picky.

The staff at It's Just Lunch Vancouver made me feel really comfortable and they were so nice. I have never joined an agency before so I was a bit nervous but once I got there I was okay. For the first few months, I went on quite a few dates . . . The men were nice and professional, but I just felt it was not the right one until I met the man of my dreams.

We took it really slow and went on a few dates together. We had so much in common and had an amazing connection. We discovered we went to the same high school only two years apart, went to the same university and live only a few blocks away from each other.  It was weird we never crossed paths, but I do remember him in high school .

After our first kiss, we knew that we had found our soulmate. Now, it has been 5 years and we are very happily married. I never believed in soulmates before, but now I do. We are very much in love and have an amazing life together.

My advice for people that want to join It's Just Lunch is that it's the best thing that ever happened to me. I have never been so happy. Don't give up in finding someone right for you and its good to be picky. The girlfriend that told me about It's Just Lunch was also a member and she has been dating a man she met at (there) for 2 1/2 years. My dream came true and so can yours!

Thank you It's Just Lunch for everything you have done. 

Danielle