If you haven’t tried dating services, you may well have a few friends who have given it a try. Far from the embarrassing and even risk internet dating of yesteryear, the new breed of dating agencies are especially tailored to busy professionals who are simply too busy to go through the tiresome bar scene or club scene to meet prospective partners. Busy jobs mean less time, and with so much to get through, many professionals battle to find the time to date. This is where dating services come in – by careful matching and screening, agencies are able to match up singles according to common interests, shared values and other key traits that each find important. The chances of a connection are far greater than random meet ups or personals ads – and there is also a bigger safety net.

With all that said, even the best attempts at matchmaking can go wrong, and sometimes couples simply do not connect. Here are some of the most common dating disasters, and what you can do to survive even the most cringe-worthy of bad dates.

So you may share the same values and a few common interests, but the conversation is stilted and you are struggling to think what to say to your date. Is this a sign that you are not compatible, or could it simply be a case of nerves? Dating services advice singles to choose a low-key location for the first date, such as a coffee shop. This gives you a shorter time to meet, with less pressure and less chance of those awkward pauses that could arise during a long dinner. If you really do not feel that you have much in common other than beliefs and an appreciation for The Cure, then try and finish your drink or coffee, and politely make your exit before things get more uncomfortable.

Whether you have a feeling that your date is not being fully honest with you, or something about the way that they act makes you feel uncomfortable, always trust your gut feeling. Even though dating services carefully screen applicants, it can be easy to trick your way into creating a profile and some people may simply not have the best intentions. Some men use agencies to find single women who they feel may be desperate enough for them to seduce, and likewise, some women may be seeking to meet eligible men for all the wrong reasons. If you feel uncomfortable, find the quickest chance to leave – politely excusing yourself to your date.

This is one of the most common dating problems you will experience. Your date may be witty, smart and fun to be around, but you simply do not feel attracted to them. If this happens, don’t see it as a wasted time – instead see it as a chance to make a new friend. To ensure that no feelings are hurt however, you will need to be honest with your date so that they know how you feel. They may not feel the same, but if they do then you will be able to forge a friendship. This is just one way that dating services can help you find not only love, but genuine friendships too.