Hi reader,

Before I talk to you about being awkward… real quick! I’m hosting a Holiday Party on December 2nd in Lower Manhattan. The dress code is a touch of sparkle. Your ticket includes entry and your first drink… among other things! Grab your ticket here before it sells out.

Okay! What happened last week on the Ask a Matchmaker Podcast:

I invited Henna Pryor on the Ask a Matchmaker Podcast because, let’s be honest, there is no shortage of awkwardness when it comes to modern dating. She’s a workplace performance expert, TEDx global keynote speaker, executive facilitator, coach, and expert in awkwardness.

Whether it’s going in for a hug when the other person goes in for a handshake, tripping in a restaurant on the way to a table, or enduring that abrupt, uncomfortable silence when the check comes–we’ve all been there.

Henna says that the feeling of awkwardness is universal. Even the most confident people you know and aspire to be like haven’t avoided it. They’ve just learned how to embrace it and move through it quickly. 

Awkwardness happens when we are setting expectations–consciously or subconsciously–and those expectations aren’t met. Like, for example, when a woman is hoping that the man will do the chivalrous thing and reach for the check. OR vice versa, when a man thinks he’s on a date with a “modern woman” who’s going to offer to split the bill. When these expectations aren’t met, things get tense, silent, and uncomfy.

So this begs the question, how do we circumvent awkwardness?

According to Henna’s expertise, the best thing we can do in that situation is NAME IT. Everyone is already thinking it, so by putting it out there, we normalize it. The tension balloon pops. Everyone relaxes.

If we don’t want to say it outright, we can use a little strategic humor. “You know, my horoscope said that I would meet someone really generous today. Think that could be you?”

Try that next time and let me know how it goes. In the meantime, keep putting yourself out there, and don’t try to avoid awkward moments. Call the restaurant instead of ordering online. Keep your phone in your pocket when you step into the elevator. Say hi to a stranger. Look for opportunities for social muscle building, because you’ll need those muscles for your life and your relationships.

🎧Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Music. If you want to learn more about Henna Pryor and her work, I HIGHLY recommend checking out her book, Good Awkward: How to Embrace the Embarrassing and Celebrate the Cringe to Become The Bravest You.

And if YOU have any awkward dating stories, feel free to reply to this email and share them with me. I’d love to hear them. Solidarity, my friend.

🤳 Post of the Week
Anyone who’s tried the Adam’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory knows that the post was a farce. 🍰

PSA: Stop listening to influencers!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cze1nbsPz9T/
🎯Let’s work together! 

Dates for (virtual) Agape Intensive for February and April 2024 were just posted.  Grab your seat! 

Don’t forget to register for Escape 2 Paros.  During this Escape, you’ll join the Agape Team and me on a five-star adventure to the island of Paros, located in the heart of the Cyclades Islands in Greece. This specific Escape is for women, but keep in mind I have another Escape for men coming soon! If you have a question that is not answered on the website, please email me directly. 

If you want to work with us but aren’t sure where to start, be sure to book a 30-minute Dating Strategy Call. We will walk through your dating history to help you understand your current dating experience. We’ll also help connect you with an Agape matchmaking program that’s the best fit for you and your goals.

That’s all for now. See you next week!
Sincerely,

Matchmaker Maria