Seeking An eFlirt Rookie to Join Our Team!

We. Are. Growing. So now that it's summer, we're seeking an eFlirt Rookie to join our team. Do you want to be drafted?

eFlirt Expert helps singles navigate the intersection of dating and technology. We've been featured in more than 200 publications and media outlets, including Good Morning America, Forbes, The Washington Post, Men's Health, Entrepreneur, Marie Claire, The Boston Globe, ABC's The Revolution, Good Day New York, NPR, The Next Web, Essence and The Huffington Post. This year, we won About.com's 2012 Readers' Choice Award for Best Dating Blog and the founder of our company just completed her manuscript for Simon & Schuster (Love At First Click: The Ultimate Guide to Online Dating, releasing Feb '13).

Our next Rookie should be an uber-creative go-getter who thinks outside the box and aspires to greatness. We can guarantee that this unpaid internship will give you flexible hours, real-life experience you won’t get anywhere else and a ridiculous amount of creative freedom. We’ll even share an occasional glass of wine on Friday afternoons together. And if you’re a true go-getter and impress us, you’ll be next in line to be considered for a paid position. In fact, our first intern was hired full-time merely four months after starting with the company.

eFlirt Rookie Qualifications — The Rookie should have solid communications or marketing experience who can assist with day-to-day operations at a rapidly growing startup. Administrative, editorial and social media background preferred. You should be extremely creative and eager to learn because you will learn a lot. Working knowledge of Gmail, basic social media applications (Facebook, Twitter) and CMS systems (like SquareSpace or WordPress) helps. Photoshop skills are a plus! We're also happy to begin training you for the next available paid position as long as you're comfortable signing an NDA. This position is part-time, 15 to 20 hours a week. NYC preferred, as this is an on-site position. 

Responsibilities include:
- Marketing (online and around NYC)
- Event planning
- Relationship cultivating
- Attending networking events
- Office organization 
- Attention to deadlines
- Anything else we throw your way (blogging, tweeting, etc)

If interested, please send along a resume and cover letter to contact@eflirtexpert.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

How To Make Sure Your Bad Day Doesn’t Equal a Bad Date

By Paola Hernandez, Copy Cutie

Let’s face it — everyone has bad days and they can be hard to avoid. Just because you’re having a repeat argument with a friend or your boss said a snarky remark about your work doesn’t mean you should let this blip rain on your parade, especially if you have a date. Meeting up with someone, especially if it’s for the first time, can be unnerving as it is! Don’t give yourself any more stress by dwelling on something that happened earlier in the day. Need a solution to bring your day from below the grid to an all-time high so you’re ready for your night out? Below are three Debbie Downer scenarios and ways to turn your frown upside down.

Momma Doesn’t Know Best.  Your mom always has your best interests at heart but might not know how to express it to you in the greatest way. If you feel your mother is a nuisance and is badgering you throughout the day via texts, remember that she does it because she cares. Simply tell her you’ll speak to her later or tomorrow. If she’s the overwhelming type, refrain from telling her about your date until after it’s already happened. The last thing you need is to play 20 questions with her while you’re getting ready.

Best Friends Forever?  There might be times when your BFF gets upset if you plan a date with someone because they want to spend time with you. Balancing time between your bestie and your romantic life can be difficult. Reassure your main pal that things won’t change. No one likes friction in their friendship, which can eventually cause problems with the person you’re seeing. Hit up your partner in crime with plans that are exclusively for the two of you. By creating your own dates you’ll ease friction in your relationship and will allow you both some breathing room.

Horrible Bosses.  Its 4:57 p.m. on Friday afternoon and you’re about to power down your computer when your “favorite” manager comes along, asking if you can finish up some more reports before leaving for the weekend. Like a scene right out of Office Space, you mutter obscene words of dislike under your breath. Don’t let this cruel punishment of staying in the office later ruin whatever you have planned with your boo. The last thing you want is to bring your anger with you to your date and vent throughout the night. Take a few minutes before heading out from the proverbial salt mines to watch some of your favorite YouTube clips, read snarky Gawker posts, or look at cute animal pictures on BuzzFeed. By dedicating a few moments of your time to cheer yourself up, you’ll help set a fun tone for your evening.

There are tons of different ways you can handle the stressful situations that can make a night out go from good to terrible before it even starts. Find a way to alleviate your frustrations — even if it’s punching your pillow before heading out the door.

How do you say sayonara to a bad day? Share your bad day solutions in a comment below!

Dating Through the Ages: Learning From the Past

By Kristin Manganello, Copy Cutie

Romance may not be as old as the hills but people have courted each other since scribbling their dating deets on cave walls. And despite changes in technology, social norms and customs, humans aren’t so different than we were in the “good ol’ days.” There’s plenty we can learn from history, especially when it comes to dating. Here are four historical courtship rituals and corresponding pieces of advice for the present day.

1. Puritanical Bundling: In eighteenth century America, young couples would spend the night together in bed with a board placed between them or over the girl’s legs. Usually done in the woman's home, this arrangement allowed the two lovebirds to intimately get to know one another in a safe environment.

Contemporary Translation: Unless you’re only looking for casual encounters, hold off on doing the deed immediately with your new partner. Explore your mutual chemistry and get a feel for each other’s communication styles and relationship wants. Keeping things above the belt for a period of time will lead to a more emotionally and physically fulfilling experience for when the time comes.

2. Nordic Knife Symbolism: In Norway it was customary for a father to attach an empty knife sheath to his daughter’s belt to signify that she was single. When an eligible bachelor was interested, he would place his knife into the sheath to show she was now taken.

Contemporary Translation: If your metaphorical sheath has been empty for a while, don’t fill it with a knife of jaded aloofness. Being emotionally closed off won’t help you find someone — it only gives the impression that you’re unavailable.

3. Passion in the Philippines: When a man sought the attention of a woman he would sit outside her house and serenade her, either alone or with a band of friends. If the lady was interested, she’d open the window and listen to his music.

Contemporary Translation: Even though John Cusack playing “In Your Eyes” has become a romantic icon, this over-the-top gesture is more likely to land you a date with a cellmate than with your special guy or gal. Take your passion down a notch and simply start by making small mentions of your creative leanings. Whet your match’s pallet so they'll want to know more about you and your talent.

4. Samurai Set Up: Beginning in the seventeenth century, Japanese Samurais (and later, others) participated in a form of arranged marriage called Miai, in which a friend, family member, or matchmaker would find a match for an unattached person by reviewing prospective partners’ resumes. Once a selection was made, the two parties would be introduced to each other so that they could consider marriage. As time progressed, photographs were also used in the preliminary stages to avoid rejection on either end.

Contemporary Translation: With the use of photographs and profiles, Miai was a precursor to online dating. While arranged marriages are a bit too old fashioned for most, you should be open to all the doors that love might walk through — even if it seems out of your element. You might meet someone through your sister’s boyfriend or your online dating inbox. The bottom line is to never ignore any of the tools you have available in your love-life toolbox.

Do you have an interesting dating tradition from your culture? Share it with us in a comment below!

How to Have a Summer Fling

By: Samantha Eng, Copy Cutie

Sunshine and warmer weather bring sunscreen, beach towels, sunglasses and one of our favorites — the epic summer fling — to the forefront of our lives. While some singles make it a mission to secure their fling during Memorial Day Weekend, remember that you can stumble upon it any time between fireworks and BBQs. Either way, keep these three key things in mind to ensure your warm weather romance is one to remember!

The Laws of Attraction. 

As the temperature increases your layers start to shed, revealing our favorite ready-to-wear item: pure, unadulterated skin. Summer easily allows you to put your best foot forward, or in this case, expose your favorite sun kissed feature. So:

• Wear sunscreen. While the color red indicates passion, sunburns and lobster-esque features look painful.
• Be modest about your tan lines. Sun kissed skin is sexy, but exposing too much — summer or not — is tricky. Keep ‘em guessing!
• Moisten those lips. Apply ample lip balm at the beach and beyond. After all, you never know whom you’ll be kissing!

Keep Your Priorities Straight.

Armed with approachability, relax and enjoy the heat of the summer …  and the heat of a summer romance. While we all have our must-haves when searching for the perfect mate, this is the season to put fun, excitement and spontaneity at the top of your to-do list. In the case of a summertime fling, go big or go home! Make enjoying the person you’re with the priority and cast your seriousness aside.

Keep Your Expiration Date in Mind. 

With all the fun you’re having, it’s hard to believe (or accept) that the hot and heavy weather (and rendezvous) will eventually end. Keep it clear in your mind, though laborious to give up this thrilling and heart racing romantic adventure that sometimes, all good things come to end. Keep your sights set on Labor Day with the understanding that your new romance might fizzle like the end of summer fireworks. 

Of course there are the lucky few that have turned summer heat into cozy falls. Are you one of them? Tell us about the fall for your summer fling in a comment below!

Your Ultimate Movie Night Date Guide

By Kristin Manganello, Copy Cutie

From the days of cranking films by hand to the instant gratification of Netflix streaming, the movie date is a staple for couples from all walks of romance. Whether you’re adventuring out to the theaters in search of summer blockbuster eye candy or you’re having an intimate evening at home, here are our top picks to help you make the most out of your movie night.

1. Vampire:  While The Twilight Saga certainly has a multitude of fans, it also burns hatred into the hearts of many. In spite of its romance and action, these polarizing films are best viewed in the company of other fans rather than with your lover (unless, of course, you’re both fans!). Instead, opt for something like Fright Night. Not too scary or gory, this film will work for both horror junkies and those less enthusiastic about blood and guts. With big doses of sexiness and humor, you and your honey are sure to get busy cuddling on the couch. For big screen bloodsuckers, we recommend Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter for its gritty alternate history or Dark Shadows for something a little lighter.

2. Romance:  In spite of a multilayered plot, He’s Just Not That Into You is little more than your typical run-of-the-mill romantic comedy. Films like these operate on the same basic story line using tired plot tropes and character stereotypes. Skip the typical rom-com and go for something out-there, like Zombieland. Zombie apocalypses might not seem very romantic, but the budding relationship between the main characters will have the two of you feeling surprisingly lovey-dovey. For passion at the picture-show house, we recommend Hysteria. Centered on the invention of the vibrator in Victorian London, this film is sure to entertain with its sensuality and whimsical repartee.

3. Action:  When it comes to action flicks, forget your sofa entirely and go to the movies! What’s the point of watching epic battles and fast-paced chases if they’re not on the big screen? Summer is the season for over-the-top action films, so you’ll have a lot to choose from. Since comic book movies tend to appeal to a variety of tastes, we recommend the record-breaking Avengers movie and the long awaited Dark Knight Rises.

4. Comedy:  Laughing together is definitely fun and sexy, but some comedies — like Chasing Amy — can be awkward to watch with your significant other. While there’s plenty of comic relief provided by the iconic Jay and Silent Bob, the film’s exploration of jealousy and control issues might leave you and your honey feeling more glum than gleeful about romance. But if there’s something awkward in your relationship, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! Goofy humor sandwiched between wit and unforgettable characters makes this movie a great option for date night. For blitheness at the bijou, we recommend Safety Not Guaranteed, an oddball film about time travel featuring an unlikely hero that is sure to make you laugh and think.

5. Drama:  Although critically acclaimed and featuring a stellar cast, the complicated sexual relationships and infidelity in the film Closer can be a major mood killer on date night. Get to know the sweeter side of Tim Burton with his southern gothic film Big Fish and enjoy the sentimental story of man trying to understand his dying father through the tall tales his pops has always told him. You and your lover will LOL during one scene and then reach for the tissues in the next, encouraging warm fuzzy feelings to grow between you two. For sensationalism on the silver screen, we recommend Snow White and the Huntsman. This highly anticipated film overlaps with the action genre, making it a great way to kill two birds with one stone.

What are your picks for movie date night? Let us know in a comment below!