It’s almost that time of year when Cupid draws back his bow and fires it in the direction of canoodling couples and loved up lads and ladies. Of course, it’s a good thing the little cherub has a pair of wings to fly around as there’s no way he’s taking that bow and arrow on a plane in this day and age.

Valentine’s Day is nearly upon as, with the flood of cards, chocolates and other little trinkets designed to help you show your love for your significant other, or perhaps to try and woo an unsuspecting object of your affection. Of course, it wasn’t always a day for Hallmark to revel in a spike in sales and the cuddly toy market to experience a welcome post-Christmas surge.

According to Christian and Roman history, there were a number of different St Valentines, although two of the most prominent from Roman times seem to fit the profile of the hopeless romantic whose crusades for love were to ultimately lead to their demise. The St Valentine who lived at the time of Emperor Claudius II, was said to be a priest who secretly married young couples after the emperor had outlawed marriage for young men, believing it would make them better soldiers. Needless to say, when Claudius found out about Valentine’s clandestine couplings, he ordered him to be executed. Another legend contends that a jailed Valentine fell in love with his jailer’s daughter who came to visit him and wrote her letters, which he signed off as ‘from your Valentine’.

The origins of Valentine’s Day aren’t all steeped in doomed love and if you’re single or the sort of person who dreads the annual festival of commercially-induced affection, you may have ancestors who experienced the Pagan version of the mid-February shindig – Lupercalia. This involved sacrificing animals such as goats and dogs, smear their blood each other, feasting to excess and running around naked whipping people with the skins of the dead animals. And you felt bad for scoffing that entire heart-shaped box of chocolates and polishing off the Prosecco. Romance was not high on the agenda as men would draw the names of women in a crude matchmaking lottery – no swiping left here folks.

Nowadays, you may not run the risk of getting slapped with the charred hide of a dead goat, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t pitfalls out there for those seeking love at this time of year. Internet scammers ramp up the romantic scams as Valentine’s Day approaches and last year the FBI reported that well over $200m was being lost every year due to scammers who target single people in the run up to February 14. Millions of spam emails are sent out, purporting to be from single women, wanting to meet single men and asking for money for transport costs to arrange meet-up.

However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a scam or someone asking you for money for you to be skeptical. With the explosion in online dating websites and apps lately, most people on the look out for love feel they are guaranteed to find that perfect match online. However, the course of true love does not always run smooth and this is especially true for those looking for a long-term partner through digital dating.

For a start, the odds seem to be stacked against men as there are a lot more of them on dating sites than there are women. Another area to be wary of is profiling. Complex algorithms may help you hone in on people you have a lot in common with, but it won’t tell you much more than and you’ll only know if you’re truly compatible if you have a face-to-face meeting and securing one of those is the tricky part.

The margin for error is also pretty slim in the world of online dating, meaning if you are one of a dozen men messaging one woman, even the slightest indiscretion can see you tossed aside. Online dating can be ruthless and a tough place to catch a break if you are young and single.

Finding love in your later years can be difficult too. Even with experience, finding the right match is far from guaranteed and particularly if people have been with the same person for a long period time, they will struggle to get back onto a dating which is maybe unrecognisable from their younger days.

That is why many more people, young and old, are turning to professional matchmaking services to find love and companionship. The profession itself is a rapidly growing with one British matchmaking company reporting that they received almost 300 applications for a job they advertised last year. Many matchmaking services vary in terms of the profile of their clientele and the number and scope of introductions they arrange for you. However, one of the main advantages matchmaking has over online dating is the personal touch. When you sign up, you have a one-on-one interview with a matchmaker who can tease out the most interesting and appealing parts of your character and use this to shape your profile. The matchmaker will also have met personally with the people you’ll be introduced to and that human interaction is vital in assessing compatibility.

Typically, matchmakers report that around three-quarters of their clients will have had a relationship of three months or more as a result of their matches, so the success rate is much higher than the constant swiping and relationships stand a better chance of lasting too.

The Casting is one such matchmaking service which promise discretion, compatibility and all done with that personal touch. They have a twin approach of headhunting potential matches and inviting interested singles to sign up is designed to ensure the right people get paired together.

You will have a discreet and personalised sign up interview, designed to paint a comprehensive picture of your character and The Casting will then conduct an extensive process of selection to ensure you are paired with a suitable partner for introduction.

Kerensa Robertson is the woman behind The Casting and she believes her own track record in success and relationships perfectly places her to fire Cupid’s bow.

“The question of success is one of the first questions I’m asked, and I’ve had many during my seven years in the business. This includes a CFO of a global brand who, five years down the line, is still recommending me! I gauge success in the reaction to the introductions I create as much as the speed of successful relationships commencing and continuing,” says Kerensa.

Kerensa is a firm believer in true love as well and that’s why she employs a range of methods, pulling together a number of different contacts and resources to find her clients the matches that are right for them.

“When I first start looking for potential candidates, I consult my special black book of contacts, networks and collaborations. For a man looking for marriage and children for a first time it can even mean finding inventive ways of ‘shopping’ for potential suitors – I’ve stopped suitably attractive ladies in various places, asking if they’re single and giving them my business card!” she says.

Tapping into old contacts, finding people in the street and bars, Kerensa will go to any lengths to find the right candidate

“ It’s about being inventive to whet people’s appetites and sometimes by bringing a little mystery and intrigue! Many people like to think they can bring a little love into peoples’ lives so are very happy to help!

Each candidate has unique requirements and I contract for an initial six months with a 6/8 minimum introduction. One exceptional ex-medic I’m working with has already had over 10 meetings with a few promising second and third meetings which, given his location and international schedule, is very positive, hence he has recommended me to friends. I always describe working with me as a journey, and feedback about each introduction is absolutely crucial to ensuring success”

Remember, dating should be fun! So, if you’re currently single and want to chat about how to move your love life forward, then maybe you need a little cupid’s touch! Contact Kerry directly here

The Casting is currently conducting a search for a bespoke search for an absolutely stunning international lady looking to meet partners open to marriage and children very quickly! She’s exceptional and manages to have achieved a great corporate career without losing her femininity – a challenge for some high-flying females. This particular lady flies into London and I arrange a few dates each time to ensure her trip is viable. It’s a bit like a bespoke speed dating experience but allows us both to really collaborate and move forwards with the feedback from each meeting.

The post It’s Almost Valentine’s Day appeared first on City Man Magazine.

It’s been discreetly referred to as ‘the change’, partly due to a lack of understanding and partly to preserve the privacy and dignity of those going through it. Many people may have become aware of the process through their mothers or female partners, although may have shied away from asking too many questions or seeking out more information.

For as long as people have been aware of the menopause, it has been thought of as an exclusively female condition.

It’s not difficult to see why the menopause has traditionally been seen as something which only affects women. For a start, the whole process of the menopause is concerned with a part of the body which is the most distinctive between the sexes.

The menopause occurs in women when their ovaries stop producing eggs. Each women is born with all the eggs they will ever produce and these are stored in their ovaries. Typically women are born with two million eggs. A woman’s ovary will also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones control ovulation and menstruation and the production of them is slowed down considerably during the menopause.

Given that the menopause is so inextricably linked with a women’s ovaries, it can be difficult to get your head around the concept of the male menopause. However, it is a legitimate condition and one which health professionals have been aware of many years.

The male menopause, or coined, ‘Manopause’ – or andropause as it is also known as – refers to the period in which a man’s production of the hormone testosterone dramatically slows down. That process takes considerably longer than the female menopause, but can start earlier in men. While the female menopause can start in a woman’s 40s, and last for five years, a man can begin to lose his testosterone in his 30s and can continue to do so for another 30 years.

Men tend to deal with this hormonal deficiency by seeking out new stimulants in a bid to recapture their youth, and therefore virility, and that’s where we get the concept of a mid-life crisis. Men are less likely to approach the male menopause from the point of view of their overall health.

However, just as in women, the male menopause leads to significant changes in a man. A slowing down of testosterone production can produce physical and psychological changes, as well as having an effect on a man’s sex life. Testosterone may be viewed as the hormone most associated with virility and a man’s sex drive, but it is much more than that. It is the hormone which impacts physical strength as it helps to maintain muscle mass and it can also give the body energy and control mental strength too. It is also responsible for stimulating puberty and has other more wide-ranging physiological implications for the body as a whole.

When many of these key functions begin to diminish, therefore, these are signs that a man could be experiencing andropause. While testosterone production in men begins to slow in their 30s, the male menopause doesn’t fully kick in until a man is in his 50s. Symptoms can include a general lack of energy, difficulty sleeping, loss of muscle mass, irritability and mood swings and a loss of concentration.

Despite this loss of testosterone, however, men’s reproductive ability is not generally affected. In fact, many men remain capable of reproducing into their 80s. Playboy magnate Hugh Hefner certainly showed no signs of slowing down as an octogenarian. Whether you are a man or a woman, ‘the change’ can be a difficult thing to deal with. Although it is an evitable part of many people’s lives, it is not something which you should be resigned to suffering from. Approached from a health and medical point of the view, the adverse effects of the menopause can be minimised and there are many companies which offer a range of solutions which can help to ease you through the difficult period.

Many offer natural remedies and supplements which can be taken to lessen the effects of the menopause and help you come out the other end unscathed. Optimal Wellbeing, for example, provide a range of combinations which can help maintain your body’s health through the ageing process. While menopause itself is not a major health concern, failure to deal with it adequately can lead to other complications, such as a reduction in body strength and damage to your body’s immune system.

Optimal Wellbeing’s range of positive ageing products can boost your overall energy levels, help strengthen bones, give you healthy teeth and hair, regulate sleep patterns, improve your immune system and increase libido. If you are interested in availing of the products Optimal Wellbeing have to offer, or if you have any general concerns about ageing and your health, contact jill@myoptimalwellbeing.com

Although it may sound like it, the menopause doesn’t mean you have to put your life on hold while you struggle through it. That is certainly the belief of author Jill D Davey. In her book ‘The Menopause Cure: Hormonal Health’, Jill argues that rather than surrendering to the menopause, women should feel empowered and proactive in taking control of their health and wellbeing.

Drawing on her own experiences with the menopause, Jill reveals how her research into restorative medicine and bioidentical hormone therapy unlocked the secret of longevity and how to grasp that new lease of life that is available following the menopause.

An imbalance in hormones which is caused by menopause can lead to certain conditions and diseases in later life and Jill is determined that these can be avoided with the help of restorative medicine. In putting together the book, Jill spoke with a number of experts from across the world in the field of restorative medicine and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), including Dr Sergey A Dzugan with whom she co-authored the book.

She has made it her mission to make the menopause not something which is to be dreaded and surrendered to, but an opportunity for woman to address their health as they move into a new stage of life. Jill@myoptimalwelling.com

The post Male Manopause? appeared first on City Man Magazine.

January is a troublesome month in many ways and many say February is no better. There’s the obvious post-Christmas downer we all experience, which usually kicks in once you’ve taken down the decorations and boxed them up for another year. You’ve spent the festive season eating and drinking to excess and seen your waistline expand and the only thing shedding pounds is your wallet.

It’s cold, it’s dark and payday is a long way off. Psychologists have even come up with something they call Blue Monday, which kicks in about two-thirds of the way through the month and is supposed to be the prime time for the January blues to really really bite. You need a drink, but you can’t even turn to that now as you’ve sworn you’re definitely doing Dry January this year and possibly going to see whether you can stretch it to February.

Dry January originated as a drive by alcohol awareness charities such as Alcohol Change UK and is intended to promote the benefits of abstaining from alcohol for 31 days at the start of the year. Health experts are certainly aware of the upside. In recent years, studies have shown that, if you are medium to heavy drinker, giving up alcohol for a month can help you shift an average of 2kg in weight. There are also benefits for your blood pressure with abstinence leading to a drop in blood pressure of around 5% and you are a third less likely to be at risk from diabetes.

However, some experts also warn that a sudden and enforced detox like this may not be the best way to address your relationship with alcohol and recommend moderating your drinking over a longer period of time instead. Total abstinence can be followed by a period of reward, when people think that their month-long detox means they can go back to drinking at the same levels they did before, and some even increase their drinking to make up for the lost month.

Critics say that the pitfalls of drives like Dry January lie in the fact that people feel they are being forced to do something rather than deciding to cut down on their alcohol intake because they want to.

In fact, the vast majority of people who start Dry January rarely make it to the end with their sobriety intact. Many find it too difficult to go cold turkey after spending the previous month using wine and beer to wash down warm turkey.

Cutting down on drink at this time of year can be tough, but there are ways to make it easier. The first is to seek out alcohol-free alternatives to your favourite drinks. You might also want to consider rescheduling social events where possible as these are often the occasions when it is most difficult to avoid taking a drink if you are used to doing so.

As part of a wider drive to detox, you should drink plenty of water throughout the day and eat better overall. You should also think about taking up a new activity and getting more active. Not only will this improve your health and fitness, but it will keep you busy (and tire you out!), leaving you less likely to reach for that drink.

Dramatically reducing your alcohol intake can improve your health, from losing weight, to reducing blood pressure, giving you better skin and improving your concentration. However, the sudden shock to the system that something like Dry January can be difficult to absorb, and with all the factors mentioned earlier that can contribute to a sluggish mood at this time of year, sometimes we need a helping hand.

Many people may have started a more nutritious diet at this time of year and the annual health kick can lead many to continue their healthy eating regime throughout the year. However, sometimes eating vitamin-rich food may not be giving us all the nutrients we need for a number of reasons. Some foods don’t contain the requisite concentration of the vitamins we need while other foods which are high in those vitamins prove difficult for our bodies to break down, and so we are not getting the full benefits of them.

You need something which will get those nutrients straight to your door and then straight into your body. That’s where home delivery IV nutrient therapy comes in. Such services are now quite widespread, with clients given the option of visiting a number of locations or having the treatment administered at home.

IV Boost is one such company by Dr Joshua Berkowitz, the IV drip therapy IV Boost provides does not take the long round, it gets the vitamins and minerals straight into your bloodstream so they can start acting right away.

You’ll feel the benefits instantly, with a string of satisfied patients already extolling the benefits of IV drip therapy. IV Boost has already been given the thumbs up by athletes, celebrities and busy professionals. Treatments typically take around 45 minutes to an hour and patients report of feeling the benefits straightaway.

The therapy has range of great benefits, from reducing tiredness and fatigue to maintaining healthy bones, muscles, teeth, skin and hair. Particularly at this time of the year when immune systems are flagging and there are all kinds of nasty bugs and viruses flying about, IV drip therapy can help fight off the onset of colds or flu and get you motoring again.

The therapy can also supercharge your detox and dieting efforts, helping you keep those New Year’s resolutions on the straight and narrow. With the detoxification boosters from IvBoost, the toxins are removed from your body and that can help maximise your own efforts at weight loss. It will also recharge your batteries, raising energy levels and allowing to exercise more effectively.

This is also the time of year when people are more likely to face mental health fatigue. With an energy booster administered by IV drip, patients have reported that not only do they feel more energised, but that they mental wellbeing has improved dramatically, cutting out the Blue Mondays.

Sickness and stress are the two greatest barriers to productivity in the many workplaces, and it’s no surprise to discover that both are intertwined. Suffering from anxiety and stress due to being overworked makes your body much more prone to infection and your health suffers as a result.
If you run your own business, you will be aware of the financial cost of sick days and, even as an employee, too many sick days does not look good on your record. Giving your health an IV boost from time to time is a great way to keep the wheels of industry turning.

And, even if Dry January hasn’t gone as planned or if you’re planning a big blow out, there are emergency IV delivery services available which can get you rehydrated in double-quick time, allowing you to quickly shake off the aftermath of ‘the night before’.

So, as we bid January a welcome goodbye, it may be time to give those detox efforts a boost. Check out IV Boost

Or need something in the office or at home check out IV Doc

The post Dry January not gone as planned? appeared first on City Man Magazine.

The pressure to get it right builds as December looms and you find yourself weighing up a few different approaches. Do you go for practical or heartfelt? Try to pick up on hints or ask them straight out what they’d like?

If you are one of those who still can’t quite make up your mind what to get for your nearest and dearest, here are a few suggestions you may not have thought about.

For the football fan in your life…

Footballers writing books is nothing new, but every so often one comes along which proves to be utterly engrossing. Wingin’ It: The Mark Walters Story by Jeff Holmes is one of those books. Searingly honest, it does not shy away from the uglier side of British football in 1980s and 90s. It charts the experiences of former Aston Villa, Rangers and Liverpool midfielder Mark Walters, who enjoyed heady days breaking through at his hometown club, to crushing lows of vile racist abuse in Scotland and discovering that his dream move to Liverpool would turn into something of a nightmare. Full of jaw dropping accounts, moments of dark humour and evocative tales of the mud and guts football of the pre-Premier League era, this is a must-read for any discerning football fans.

Holmes helps Walters tell his story of his early days at Villa, under iconic manager Graham Taylor – who would also go on to give Walters his solitary England cap – and how regular battles at both ends of the old English Division One table at a time when black footballers were much scarcer than they are nowadays helped hone his survival instincts. These would prove useful for his baptism of fire in Scotland.

Walters also opens up about his faith and how it helped him reconcile those darker days in his life and allowed him to forgive those you had subjected him to abuse.

An absorbing and enligthening read, Wingin’ It is the perfect Christmas gift for anyone interested in football.

Wingin’ It: The Mark Walters Story by Jeff Holmes is out now.  Pitch Publishing (£18.99) Buy it here

Is the lady in your life looking for a new outlook as they face a new stage in their life?

The ‘change’ is something many women and men find it difficult to talk about. The menopause may sometimes be spoken about in hushed tones, but that is changing and a new book by Jill Davey is helping women tackle it head on and inspire them to take control and revitalise their bodies.

The Menopause Cure: Hormonal Health is designed to help woman prevent the mood swings, weight gain and fatigue which can often accompany the menopause. By using bioidentical hormone restorative therapy (BHRT), Jill shows women how they can combat ill health and restore vitality, boost brainpower and their sex drive in their 40s and beyond.

Written with the help of former heart surgeon and expert in restorative medicine Sergey A. Dzugan, MD, PhD, the book looks at how important it is to maintain hormone balance as a way of preventing disease in longer life.

It details how BHRT can help keep healthy cholesterol levels without using drugs, prevent migraines and help you avoid conditions such as Fibromyalgia. Jill Davey shows how her extensive research has revealed how certain hormones in your body behave and interact with each other and how achieving balance can boost your health.

Don’t think this isn’t relevant to you fellas; in February 2019, we will be interviewing Jill Davey on the male menopause….it exists, it is real and it affects many men approaching the late 40s and early 50s.

In the meantime, show your caring and sensitive side with this thoughtful gift for the special lady in your life.

The Menopause Cure: Hormonal Health by Jill D Davey with Sergey A Dzugan MD, PhD is out now (Paperback, £8.99) Buy it here

For that stylish someone…

Style doesn’t have to be a part-time thing. Nine-to-five, eight ‘til late, you can make sure that stylish someone in your life is always good to go with a beautifully Italian-made, British-designed handbag from AG by Anoesjcka Gianotti.

You really can’t go wrong with a working girl handbag, especially one as expertly designed and made as these one from Anoesjcka Gianotti which combine quality, class and style with everyday practicality.

They have bags for any situation, whether it’s a practical tote for day-to-day use, a traveller’s bag for a weekend away or a subtle little clutch for an evening out, they have a wide range of high-quality bags which also include bowling bags and backpacks bags which would all make perfect Christmas gifts.

With sleek and renowned Italian design, these bags come in a range of colours with high quality finishes and are built to last and withstand anything the day (and night) can throw at you.

As well as creating classy and practical bags, Anoesjcka Gianotti is also an expert in bespoke couture and with experience in London and Milan, creates tailor-made shirts for men.

Her bags are available from www.agbyag.com and are a guaranteed for any working woman who likes to add a bit of style to her life.

The post Christmas Gift Guide: Some Seasonal Inspiration  appeared first on City Man Magazine.

Mark Walters wouldn’t notice the banana that was thrown in his direction as he whipped the ball into the box and supported the attack. But this was the norm now. In the short space of time that the former Aston Villa starlet had made the move north of the border, he’d been subjected to vilest racist abuse he’d come across in his still burgeoning career. He was 23.

Six years earlier, having just turned 17, the speedy winger had been promoted to the Aston Villa first team just as the Birmingham club were conquering Europe. He hadn’t made the squad for the European Cup final win over Bayern Munich, but he had turned heads and marked himself out as one of the club’s most promising young talents.

Credit – the Daily record

Walters would go on to spend six topsy-turvy years with Villa in the English First Division. The succession of different managers and flirtations with either end of the table would mean there was rarely a dull moment for local lad.

Walters’s performances soon attracted interest from bigger clubs and Scottish side Rangers held a trump card when they came in for the exciting winger in late 1987. At the time, English clubs were banned from competing in European competitions so Scottish clubs were able to attract top English talent.

Walters signed for Rangers and was immediately thrown into the bear-pit of an ‘Old Firm’ clash with bitter rivals Celtic. It was testament to his strength of character that he was able to withstand the torrent of abuse from opposition fans, including monkey noise and various missiles thrown at him; bananas and other fruit, golf balls and darts. The incident at Hearts appeared to be something of a turning point, thanks partly to the media coverage it received and the authorities clamping down on the abuse Walters was suffering. He would go on to play three more seasons for Rangers, winning three league titles and two Scottish Cups before returning south of the border to join Liverpool in the summer of 1991.

He was brought to Merseyside by Graeme Souness, the man who had signed him for Rangers and finished his first season as an FA Cup winner with the Reds. The following season was the first of the newly-formed Premier League and Walters achieved the milestone of becoming Liverpool’s first ever scorer in the Premier League with his goal against Sheffield United in August 1992.

Walters won the League Cup with Liverpool in 1995 and after a number of loan spells with Stoke and Wolverhampton Wanderers, he signed for Southampton as they battled relegation in the second half of the 1995/96 season. At the end of that season, he was picked up by Swindon, who were then managed by his old Rangers and Liverpool boss Graeme Souness. He would go on to play over 100 times for the Robins before ending his career with a spell at Bristol Rovers. He retired from football in 2002 having played over 600 league games and he had one England cap.

Picture credit – The Scotsman

Walters panned two unique eras in British football. He was one of a new wave of black players who were inspired by breakthrough players like Cyrille Regis in the early 1980s but also experienced the birth of the Premier League, which give rise to English club football’s global appeal.

Now the former Rangers and Liverpool star has documented his amazing and inspiring story in a new book called Wingin’ It, a must read for football fans!

Written with journalist and author Jeff Holmes, Wingin’ It, is an unflinching look at career which contained many euphoric moments, but was equally punctuated with gruesome and fearful chapters.

Walters takes readers through his early breakthrough years as a local boy made good at Villa and the challenges he endured, including being lucky to avoid the vile abuse of scout Ted Langford and becoming a hero to the Villa fans.

He documents in detail the horrific racist hate he suffered in Scotland, including a letter from the Ku Klux Klan and being targeted by a hail of missiles like bananas, a pig’s leg and darts. In the book, he reveals how dark humour got him through those early days at Rangers.

Manager Greame Souness jokingly remarked to him that ‘there would have been more problems if you were a Catholic than the fact that you are Black’. However, when the Gers did sign former Celtic striker Mo Johnston a year and a half after Walters arrived, Walter recalls saying to him “Mo, you’ve taken the pressure right off me!”

In later life, Walters reveals that it was his own faith that helped him reconcile his experiences in Scotland and ultimately forgive those who had racially abused him.

Walters also opens up about the regrets he would ultimately have about what seemed like a dream move to Liverpool and how the departure of Souness and the promotion of Roy Evans would mark the beginning of the end of the his time on Merseyside.

Walters response to racist abuse was always that he had to work twice as hard on the pitch. Unfortunately, it is a philosophy he applies to coaching opportunities in his post-playing days. Despite enlightenment among fans and managers about black players in the English game, in his book, Walters details his frustrations at the lack of coaching opportunities for black coaches. Even with the badges and qualifications – and his own mantra of ‘working twice as hard’ – it seems the former Aston Villa and Liverpool star still has some hurdles to clear.

Wingin’ It is a brutally honest and refreshing account of what is like for a black player to play in a transformative era of British football.

Wingin’ It: The Mark Walters Story by Jeff Holmes is out now.  Pitch Publishing (£18.99).

The post Mark Walters: On a Wing and Prayer appeared first on City Man Magazine.

In Italian, there is a phrase which is commonly used to describe a man who likes to show off his assets: Un uomo che si pavoneggia, this roughly translates to ‘a man who likes to strut around like a peacock’.

Mating rituals in peafowl, (which collectively talks about male peacocks and female peahens), are usually marked by peacocks widening their flashy displays of brilliant blue and green tail feathers and more modest discerning female peahens.

Dating rituals throughout the years have pretty much consisted of this routine and romantic relationships are just as important today as they are in the animal kingdom and as they are in our human pasts. But what seems to have fundamentally changed, is the way we meet one another.

Traditionally, couples would meet at work, be introduced by friends, or catch each other’s eyes across the dance floor.

Classic dating may have occasionally involved blind dates and meetings setup by well-meaning friends, but never before has there been such a ruthless and transient system for finding and meeting prospective partners. The world of online dating has made it possible to find local singles, and meet up with multiple potentials – all in one night if we want to!

Online dating gives you a streamlined catalogue of options, where we are judged, not on an impression from a real encounter, but on how we can present ourselves on a virtual platform. Now, our success in dating – and our prospective happiness in love – depends on having a snappy tagline and an attractive selfie.

How People Used to Meet

Without the convenience of the internet, just how did people meet one another in the ‘olden days’? We need to keep in mind that the internet, email and online dating has existed for less than 40 years in the 6,000 years of human history. The 7.5bn people on the face of the earth today are testament to the fact that people have been hooking up and having children seemingly without trouble for centuries.

It might be hard to imagine life without your smartphone, but believe it or not, we used to actually leave our homes in order to meet other people.

How people met in order to begin romantic relationships varies depending on the historical and cultural factors that surrounded them. So, what does the historical landscape of dating look like?

Family-arranged meetings were perhaps the earliest form of dating as we know it. Dating, or to give it its proper name, ‘courtship’, was considered the necessary path to marriage. Marriage was the end goal, and parents were involved to make sure the decision protected the family wealth and reputation. Courtship was always supervised, and a physical relationship beyond a few kisses was forbidden.

As well as through parental setups, couples would meet one another by attending events in the local hall. Dances and parties were for a long time the place to be if you were on the hunt for a potential partner. Either this, or a friend would set up a ‘blind date’ between you and someone with whom they thought you were compatible.

Children were generally educated in single sex schools, and on the whole women did not attend university until the mid-20th Century – and when they did, many of them lived in single sex colleges. Daily life and the workplace involved much less mixing with the opposite sex than it does today, and yet people were still able to meet one another, start dating and get married by simply getting out there and seeing what fish the sea had to offer.

Modern Dating Methods

So, how do modern dating methods differ from those of the past?

The popularity of online dating has gone from strength to strength ever since the inception of the internet. According to a survey by eharmony, by 2031 online dating apps and sites will account for half of all relationships.

Apps like Tinder and Bumble allow users to choose who they would like to date from a wide catalogue of users in the nearby area. Each user has a few tools to market themselves with in the hope of getting chosen: a small bio where they can write a few details about themselves, and a limited selection of photos showcasing their most charming smile and exciting endeavours.

Apps like these reflect the fast-paced, impatient world of internet users, allowing you to ‘swipe to like’ and make a snap decision based on every little detail.

Why Some People Are Fed Up with Digital Dating

It’s clear that online dating has had a significant impact on our attitude to romance and relationships. With many of us relying on the comfort of a screening process based on looks, there may well be negative implications for those who are thoroughly datable, yet don’t come across well on online platforms.

For this reason, many people are growing disillusioned with modern dating. Without the engagement of real-life meetings, where you are able to judge your compatibility with someone from a wide range of factors (eye contact, voice, conversation and general chemistry to name a few), it can be hard to get noticed.

Apps reward superficial traits – the majority of people will make a snap decision based on the first image of you they see. As well as this leaning towards superficiality, many users who are looking for genuinely meaningful relationships are becoming disheartened with the number of game-players who use online dating as a way to find casual hookups.

As well as this, attending a physical date is time-consuming and costly, and can feel like a real waste of time and money if you don’t enjoy yourself or make a meaningful connection!

Whatever Next?

So, what developments can we expect for the world of digital dating in the future? Well, one of the technologies that has been gaining some serious ground in recent times is Virtual Reality (VR). Could VR offer a new approach within the dating world too?

According to an article from nbcnews.com, a VR headset could transform online dating into a visceral experience for all. Forget the one-dimensional swipe-right culture, and say hello to a world where you can meet your potential partner on a virtual date in a far-off destination without having to leave the comfort of your living space.

It’s predicted that VR headsets could be the next big thing when it comes to online dating, as a safer and more reliable way to find and meet the person you want to form a relationship with.

Looking for success without the hassle of all the above?

If you’re time-challenged or fed up with the way this modern dating world is going, and want to find a long term prospect, why not taste a little of the old school and get a very personalised helping hand?

We talk to Kerensa Robertson from The Casting, an innovative specialist who headhunts for you to find your perfect partner. Kerensa says:

‘With time focussed on business and careers, many singles looking for love have little time to meet potential life partners. Internet dating has revolutionised the way we meet and turned dating from the much sought-after romantic frisson when ‘eyes meet across a room’ to a more prescriptive way of cross-checking criteria online, but many people want a better, more personalised, yet confidential approach and The Casting does the search for them’.

The Casting scrupulously vets and presents those matches that really have the right potential. You set the criteria and Kerensa and her team look within their own books or actively headhunt for potential matches. All of these matches are serious contenders who are looking for love and long-term relationships. Kerensa continues:

‘So many people have almost given up on dating. They believe the chances of meeting someone right is just not worth the effort of conducting the search. They may work long and hard, and very often don’t want an internet search if they’re professionals. Discretion is key!’

Ideal candidates for Kerensa are busy people, those who have tried other methods but with no success, or those who are fed up with not finding suitable candidates and still searching for love. Kerensa could be the helping hand you need:

‘My work involves a range of ways to attract the right people for you to meet based on everything you’ve told me – and I do the hard work’.

What’s the price you would pay to find the love of your life? As with all bespoke services, costs vary but works on registration fee, with monthly subscription and ultimate success fee. Discover more about Kerensa’s exclusive service by visiting The Casting.

The post Too Busy to Find the Love of Your Life? Don’t Worry, Help is At Hand! appeared first on City Man Magazine.

You don’t think twice about taking your car for a regular check up once a year to make sure it’s running soundly, so why not do the same with your finances? No matter how solid your financial plan may appear to be, keeping it updated to reflect changes in your life is vital to your financial aspirations.

A Finance MOT is useful in several ways: helping to manage your existing assets, creating future capital and protecting against any potential financial risks.

A mid-life finance MOT should take place when the investor is beginning to seriously think about retiring, however it should not be so late that it would be impossible to get back on track. Checking finances at the age of around 45 would help people become more prepared for retirement, and should the check-up reveal financial issues which require further exploration, there is still sufficient time to address the matter.

Rebalancing Your Portfolio

A good starting point could be to look at what is already in place and how those investments or plans are performing. During a year, lots can happen which could have an impact on your investments. Some may be underperforming, while some may be making more than imagined, and taking the profits could be beneficial.

At City Man we have always been very keen on regular portfolio checks to make sure that you are always getting the best from your hard work. We work with partners who will look at your circumstances and existing plans and give advice on how to make things work better for you. Furthermore the initial consultation is at no cost!

Coping With Being Part Of A Sandwich Generation

The term “sandwich generation” has been coined to refer to those approaching middle age and who have to deal with the financial burden of childcare costs, university fees and the essentials like a car or house deposit as well as being responsible for caring for ageing parents who may suffer from ill health.

There are, however, strategies which can be put in place to survive this life stage, and good preparation is one. However, if the cost of care for elderly relatives comes as a surprise, how do you know what needs prioritising? And how is it possible to maintain your own money on an even keel?

Checking Insurance Policies

If you have had financial advice in the past, you may already have insurance policies like critical illness cover, life assurance and income protection insurance.

Instead of routinely renewing these policies annually, you should take the time to check the income which you’re insuring remains appropriate. Maybe your salary has increased, or maybe you’ve paid off your mortgage? Decreasing or increasing your cover may be necessary and checking every year could save you money.

Vitally, if you still have no income protection or life insurance, you need to seriously consider taking some out. If you work and have a mortgage and dependents, you need to consider how they would manage if you suddenly lost your job, became too ill to work, or if the worst should happen. If you have no suitable financial protection, you should ensure you put some in place to close this gap in your financial plan.

Have Your Savings For Retirement Stayed On Track?

All too often we end up looking back on our lives and wishing we’d done things in a different way. A study carried out recently showed that two out of every five pensioners regretted making mistakes in planning for their retirement that have resulted in financial difficulties later in life. Almost a fifth of pensioners thought they hadn’t managed to save a sufficient amount to make them comfortable during their retirement, while another 15% wished that they had begun saving earlier when they were still working.

Pension Stats UK

A commonly seen challenge is being able to build a large enough fund for retirement. One possibility is to pay in extra to your pension to top it up as far as possible every year, or even switch funds altogether. For other people, however, it might mean that it is necessary to take action in order to ensure that their pension fund will not exceed their lifetime allowance, since breaching that amount will lead to taxation as high as 55%. Taking preventative measures to avoid this whenever possible is always advised. Frequently, savers are obliged to increase the amount they contribute in order to maximise their tax efficiency, while hitting their targets for retirement. At present, the amount set for annual allowance is £40,000 pa, and this represents the largest amount which you are able to contribute into a pension while still potentially receiving tax relief at the marginal rate.

Boosting Savings And Pensions Through Tax-Efficient Investments

UK tax treatment of savings and investments is constantly changing and has become quite complex, especially with recent developments around pension freedoms. It’s crucial that individuals and families seek support on an ongoing basis to ensure that their savings are invested in the appropriate strategies and in the right tax wrappers, and that they take advantage of the myriad of tax reliefs currently on offer from HMRC. The appropriate approach for one individual may be completely different from another, so there is never a “one size fits all” solution.

Simon Beazley – AAG Wealth Management

The government have targeted a large array of tax allowances at families, investors and savers, yet a surprising number have not been actively claimed since they require the individual to be assertive. Many people, for example, have not used their entire ISA allowance, worth £20,000 in this tax year. Many people have not opened Junior ISAs for their children, even though they could be worth a maximum of £4,260 for each child. Many more people are not using their capital gains tax allowance. While this is complicated and requires the selling of a holding in order to realise gains and therefore taking professional advice is wise, it is still important not to let such a valuable allowance be wasted since it can exempt you this year from the initial capital gains of £11,700. Ensuring loved ones have a good start in life is also possible by gifting them money every year. As an added effect, this can reduce your estate for the purposes of calculating your inheritance tax. With this in mind, making use of your entire gifting allowance is an important element of anyone’s annual calendar of finances.

We believe everyone should be aware of their financial circumstances and be able to make decisions that are well informed. For this reason, asking a professional financial adviser to carry out a finances MOT or check-up is vital, our partners don’t charge anything for this check.

It is not only an opportunity to check the financial arrangements you have already put in place, but like your car MOT, it is also a chance to think about any new parts that you wish to install.

The post The Mid-Life Finance MOT – Giving Your Wealth A Check-Over appeared first on City Man Magazine.

• 40% of men will have noticeable hair loss by age 35, 65% of men by age 60, and 80% of men by age 80.
• 75% of British men believe hair loss cannot be prevented.
• British men are the most likely in Europe to worry about balding however they are the least likeliest to do anything about it.
• Normal hair loss is considered to be 100 hairs shed per day, based on the average scalp containing 100,000 hair follicles.
• 87% of British men don’t know that there are scientifically proven and medically approved hair loss treatments.
• And the most surprising statistics, roughly a third (30%) of hair loss sufferers would give up sex if they could get their hair back.

Here at City Man we understand the personal anguish that hair loss can bring, and the difficult journey that you might have to face to try and find a solution. One of the founding members of City Man suffered with hair loss and discovered first hand what a mine field hair loss treatments can be.

If you’re losing your hair, it can be a very sensitive subject. And at times, it might feel that you’re the only one, surrounded by friends sporting a full head of hair.

However, no matter how you might feel, hair loss is a common problem in the UK. More than 1 in 3 people are affected, the majority of which are men.

The good news is that there have been huge strides in developments and there are now successful treatments available for hair loss of all types.

Understanding The Cause Of Hair Loss

When people refer to hair loss, they often don’t appreciate that it’s not a one size fits all problem. Hair loss can occur for many different reasons and in some cases it’s necessary to address the underlying issue to get a good result.

Not all types of hair loss are permanent and identifying the cause may be sufficient to reverse the trend and restore proper growth. However this isn’t the case for everyone, and in some cases hair transplants are necessary to regain the hair that’s been lost.

“We have seen over 10,000 cases of hair loss, even though we see a pattern, every case is treated as an individual. One person to another does not have the same skin type, lifestyle, expectations, medical background, personal circumstances or time, we look at everyone holistically and then make a treatment plan that works”

– Warren – Landmark Hair Loss Clinic

There are a wide range of potential causes; below is a quick run through of the most common

Landmark Hair Loss Clinic Client – Scott

Normal shedding

If you notice that your hair sheds when you wash or brush it, you may be concerned that you’re experiencing hair loss even if there’s no noticeable thinning visible.

The typical person sheds approximately 100 hairs every day, and 80% of our hair will fall out simply through routine brushing and washing. Therefore if you notice some hair loss it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s cause for alarm.

The vast majority of people will grow more hairs than those that fall out so you’ll never notice any thinning or bald spots. If your hair looks the same as usual, and the amount of hair loss isn’t excessive or increasing, there’s no need to worry.

Male pattern baldness

This is the typical type of hair loss that’s seen in men, and has a genetic component. Whether you suffer from male pattern baldness or not is a lottery, and simply down to whether you inherited the gene or not.

The exact cause hasn’t yet been pinned down precisely but it’s believed to be caused by an over-sensitivity in the hair follicles which react to a byproduct of testosterone.

Around half of all men in the UK will suffer from male pattern baldness by the time they reach 50 years of age, but it typically starts much younger. Men with the gene will normally start to notice thinning and receding hairlines while they’re in their 20s and 30s.

This is the most common type of hair loss and it usually follows a specific pattern. The first area to be affected is the hairline which begins to recede; this is followed by thinning at the temples and the crown. The degree of hair loss varies from one individual to another but in some, it leads to complete baldness.

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery say that 40% of men will have noticeable hair loss by the age of 35, not an insignificant number.

Alopecia Areata

Most commonly seen in individuals aged 15-29, Alopecia Areata can affect both genders and causes small clumps of baldness, usually the size of a coin.

This hair loss can happen at any time but is typically temporary, with the hair growing back within a few months. Frequently the first hair to grow back is fine and downy and may be white in appearance. This is then replaced with normal hair.

In some individuals Alopecia Areata can go on to develop into Alopecia Totalis which means that there is no hair left on the scalp. Another severe variant is Alopecia Universalis where there is no hair on either the body or the scalp.

Vitamin Deficiencies

You may have heard that certain vitamins are good for your skin and hair but did you know that a deficiency can cause hair loss?

A diet that’s low in vitamins B12 and D, as well as iron, can trigger hair loss by prematurely triggering shedding. As well as a poor diet, surgery, illness, and over-exercising can all cause a vitamin deficiency that affects the hair.

Illness

Aside from harsh treatments such as chemotherapy which can cause hair loss, there are a number of illnesses which can also result in the loss of locks. Ringworm, psoriasis, and eczema are the most common of these.

Despite what the name sounds like, ringworm isn’t a parasite but a fungal infection. It’s contagious and passed on by sharing brushes, sheets and towels with an infected person. The condition typically leads to bald, scaly patches in the hair but a medicated shampoo and oral treatment can provide effective treatment.

Psoriasis can affect any of the skin on the body, causing thickened, scaly lesions. When it occurs on the scalp it can cause hair loss. Treatment is focussed on descaling the skin but steroids are sometimes required to reduce the inflammation.

On its own eczema doesn’t cause hair loss, but this and other associated skin conditions such as dermatitis can cause itchiness. The scratching can lead to damage to the scalp, as well as breakage and loss of hair as a result.

Mistreatment

There are a number of different hair processes that can weaken the follicles and if repeated over a prolonged period can cause the hair to break and split. Some examples include backcombing, hair dye and straightening, and even heavy-handed brushing. The hair loss won’t be permanent but in the short term can cause hair weakness, leaving it liable to split, break or feel lank and thin.

Talk To A Professional

Hair loss is distressing for both men and women, but with such a wide variety of causes there really isn’t a one size fits all approach. Understanding the cause is the most important factor as it may be simple to correct. For those cases that can’t be simply remedied, you’ll find a vast market of different treatments available, including both surgical and non-surgical options.

It’s always good to get professional advice, to save spending money on treatments which aren’t suitable. The very experienced folk over at Landmark are always happy to help so if you want general advice or a full consultation just get in touch. If you’re phone-shy, they’re even happy to chat over WhatsApp.

“Many of our clients now choose to message over WhatsApp, easy to send over pictures, discuss options and in some cases even price up the treatment all over WhatsApp, people are busy, the world is changing so we have to change with it”

– Landmark Hair Loss Clinic

Landmark Hair Loss Clinic Clients

In the meantime, keep an eye out here at City Man as we’ll be featuring plenty of articles on the subject of hair loss in the months coming up.

Want to make a free consultation with Landmark Clinic? Then get in touch, they offer in-clinic consultations, over Skype, Whatsapp, a simple phone call or even a location near you. Furthermore, all those who quote City Man get 10% off all treatments and surgeries

The post The Balding Truth appeared first on City Man Magazine.

The Construction Of The Woman’s Brain

It’s true to say that women are actually more complicated than men. Their brains are completely different in terms of their construction.

There are four key areas that show differences between the female and male brain: Activity, structure, chemistry and processing. These differences appear all around the world, however there are also some exceptions to the rule. Nevertheless, these differences are a generalised look at how the typical way in which the male and female brain function.

Processing

The male brain utilises almost 7 times more grey matter when active and the female brain uses almost 10 times more white matter. So, what is the significance of this?

The areas of grey matter in the brain are localised action and information processing centres. Once deeply engaged with a game or task, the amount of sensitivity men display to their surroundings or other people is minimal. This ensures that men excel in tasks which require a concentrated focus.

White matter, on the other hand, is a networking grid which connects the grey matter to the other processing centres. This leads to women being able to transition more rapidly between tasks and why multi-tasking is easier.

Chemistry

While both the female and male brain processes identical neuro-chemicals, the degrees to which they are processed differ and the processing takes place through body-brain connections that are gender specific. Due to the differences in processing chemicals, men are usually more aggressive and physically aggressive. Also, men process a smaller amount of oxytocin, a bonding chemical, than women. This means that men need to find a different way to release stress to women.

Structural Difference

The hippocampus (or memory centre) is usually larger in females and women also frequently have a more dense network of neural connections to the hippocampus. This allows women to absorb or input more emotive and sensorial information than a man.

Women also have a verbal centre on each side of their brain, however men usually only have verbal centres on their left brain hemisphere. This means that girls usually use a larger number of words when describing and discussing things. Meanwhile, men are at a disadvantage when talking about emotions, senses and feelings.

Brain Activity And Blood Flow

A woman’s brain often thinks more about emotional memories, revisiting them more frequently than a man’s brain. Men usually reflect briefly on emotive memories, analyse them and then move on. This often leads to people thinking that boys try to avoid their feelings when compared to girls.

Communication Is Key

The famous book “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus” points out that one of the main problems in the female/male relationship is poor communication. Finding a good balance in any relationship is essential and communication has a key role to play in that, and this is why this book has proven to be so popular.

With this in mind,  you’ll find ten essential secrets which will enable you to keep the woman in your life happy – and yes, believe it or not, it’s something that you really can achieve!

1. Listen More

If a woman has to ask if you’re listening, then you probably aren’t. Women need you to hear them talk about their problems and then to empathise with them. Being supportive is the key here.

2. Surprise Her

Women really love occasional surprises. There’s no need to go out and buy her an expensive present – it’s the sentiment which is behind the present and not the cost which is important. A personal card or flowers are sure to delight her.

3. Making Her Feel Special

Women require flattery and compliments from time to time. They want to feel attractive and desired. Telling her she looks fine isn’t enough – she needs to know she’s your top priority and needs regular reassurance. By simply sending her a text every now and then reminding her about special moments you’ve shared you can really improve your relationship.

4. Remember She Never Forgets

Women are usually a lot more sensitive than men, and they’ll never forget any incident of infidelity. Even if she says she’s forgotten the incident, if she uses the past constantly during arguments she’s definitely not forgiven you. Women may forgive however they never forget and they struggle to handle dishonesty. The only way forward is to come to an arrangement never to mention the incident again.

5. Don’t Forget Important Dates

Men may remember important dates like insurance renewals and mortgage payments, however remembering birthdays and anniversaries is somehow harder. It’s important to remember those key romantic dates or your partner will start to feel unimportant and disconnected.

6. Be Chivalrous

Women want to be respected and are attracted to men who are formal, polite, kind and refined – in other words, chivalrous. Simple acts such as offering a seat or opening a door still impress women today, while being well-mannered and well-groomed is also still important.

7. Show Gratitude And Praise

Women love to be praised and showing gratitude boosts her self-esteem. She’ll feel loved and appreciated as long as your compliments are genuine and sincere.

8. Taking Time

Having quality time together is vital for any relationship. Trying something new or taking a holiday together will rekindle your passion and celebrate your love. It’s also important to show her that your future plans and goals involve her.

9. Keep Your Promises

It is vital to never repeatedly break promises or fail to live up to expectations. Making sure to never forget promises which have been made is essential.

10.Acknowledge Your Commitment

When a man believes he and his partner have a future together, it’s important to share that information with friends and family. He must also acknowledge her importance in his life publicly without shame or dismissal.

With these ten things in mind, you are now well armed to become a more loving, considerate and kind partner to the woman in your life. If you’re not quite there yet, then keep an eye out for more articles from this section ‘A Woman’s Mind’

City Man is focused on the professional man and making sure he leads a good life

City Woman is coming soon and will focus on good recommendations for professional women  www.citywoman.com

The post Ten Secrets For Keeping The Lady In Your Life Happy (Yes, You Can Do It!) appeared first on City Man Magazine.

You can forget about finding your soulmate staring over the fruit section in the supermarket; you’re now far more likely to hook up with someone after spotting their dating profile online. It may sound unromantic but it’s a far more practical way to filter out those who you’re not compatible with. Where else can you instantly find out their aspirations for the future without sounding vaguely stalker-ish?!

A Dating Revolution

Trends really started to change in the mid-1990s when clicking and swiping online started to take off with companies such as match.com leading the way. Online dating took the slightly pathetic lonely heart column and gave it a cool, new revamp, making it a trendy way to find love rather than the desperate plea it was often viewed as before.

And online dating has followed the new cultural norms; you don’t have to be searching for your one true love to hook up with someone. Regardless of your sexual orientation, tastes, lifestyle choices or budget, there’s a dating app online to suit anyone and everyone. From the casual hookups found on Tinder and Grindr, to more serious searchers on site such as eHarmony

‘There are dating sites for various esoteric preferences, and sites on which one can find more than one partner at a time. There are sites for women who want a man to father a child with them but not become a romantic partner. There are services for Jews, Christians, Muslims, Trump supporters, people who self-select as intelligent and vegans. There’s BikerKiss (“Two wheels, two hearts, one road”), FarmersOnly (“Single in the country”) and Ugly Bug Ball (“Dating for the aesthetically average”)’

The Economist – ‘How the internet has changed dating’ (Aug 2018)

Although online dating started out with a real stigma, it’s become far more socially acceptable and now it’s the norm to check out profiles online if you’re a singleton. According to one study, 5% of people admitted to meeting their spouse online with 15% of Americans saying they’ve used online dating.

Of course, the digital revolution hasn’t just made it easier to find love, lust or whatever else you’re searching for, it’s also a researcher’s paradise. With piles of data instantly accessible, it’s now easier than ever to compile stats on the dating habits of the nation. What is exciting, however, is that the statistics have shown that internet dating has been successful to maintain long-term relationships

Mr Thomas and Michael Rosenfeld of Stanford University, work with data from a survey ‘How Couples Meet and Stay Together’, (Conducted by GFK, a research firm). They noticed that married people who met their partner online reported slightly higher relationship quality than those who met offline, and consequently were less likely to have broken up after a year of marriage.

But chatting online only gets you so far, then comes the first date!

To take the seriousness out of this article, here are some light heard recommendations for the daunting first date, lets face it, its hard already plucking up the courage to go to them, let alone finding the right place to go! Will you match up to your date’s expectations? And will you match up to theirs? Or even worse, will you discover that you’ve been cat-fished?

We can’t help you with any of the above questions, but here is that helping hand, planning the perfect place.

Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London -Holborn

As winter is coming, why not settle in by the fire at the romantic setting of Scarfes bar, the large lounges will surely bring you and your date closer together. It’s like a giant library in a grand old house but with a busy buzz without getting too crowded. With lots of art deco details, beautiful old books and live music throughout the week, this place will definitely impress your date.

There is a real gentlemen’s vibe here and the cocktail list is surprisingly innovative, it doesn’t rely on the straight classics so you can experiment with one or three concoctions here.  Luxurious, great atmosphere and its central location, this could be a great place for the first, second or third date!

Street Xo – West End

If first impressions are to go by, this place is striking, a golden staircase leading to a dimly lit basement, nothing is ordinary here, dazzling neon signs, industrial but cosy, eccentric and crazy! The show begins with straight jacket style uniforms and wild cocktails, if this does not bag you a second date then we give up! Unless you didn’t want a second date, then this could be an expensive first!

Something casual to ‘see how it goes?’ try Disrepute, a little hideaway in Soho, plush, crushed velvet furniture and lots of booths to enjoy a cosy encounter!

Before you scroll past to another venue that sounds more affordable, hold your horses. Knightsbridge is indeed one of the wealthiest and most affluent areas of London – and that’s why it’s the perfect spot to impress your date.

You might feel a little out of place at first, surrounded by some of the richest people in the world swanning around in luxury cars and flashing designer togs, but relax and you’ll find some glorious places to grab a drink and a bite to eat.

Buddha Bar – Knightsbridge

If you enjoy a spot of tranquil but with a funky vibe, head over to Buddha Bar (but call ahead to check there’s no private events booked). Enjoy an impressive cocktail like the kiwi kukama (in-house infused citron vodka, elderflower liqueur, fresh kiwi, fresh cucumber and lemon bitters) or a decanted devil (AquaRiva reposado tequila shaken with Grand Marnier, jalapeno, lime juice and agave nectar, and smoked with pecan wood chips). Opt to enjoy an Asian inspired dinner here.

Skylon, Royal Festival Hall – Southbank

If you’re a native Londoner, the idea of heading over to the Southbank might sound like a bad idea, jostling against crowds of tourists and picking from a selection of average-but-overpriced chain restaurants.

However, if you know where to look you will find some real gems dotted around, and you can preface it with a nice stroll along the river.

If you and your date are thespians – read that carefully! – you might want to pay The Globe a visit first. The home of Shakespeare on the Southbank, there’s a year-round programme of events which include poetry, dance and theatre.

Ignore the mainstream restaurants that are packed with hordes of tourists and head to Skylon, found on the first floor of the Royal Festival Hall. With magnificent views over the river, it’s a romantic spot that’s sure to win you extra brownie points.

Zigfrid Von Underbelly – Shoreditch

If your plan is to impress your date by throwing some shapes on the dance floor, there’s no other place to go than Shoreditch.

The very epitome of modern cool, you’ll have the pick of nightspots, pubs, and clubs with some casual eateries too. The Book Club in Leonard Street is a nice, relaxed way to start the night, and you can get to know your digital date a bit better over a sharing platter. What better way to get ready to bust out your best moves than by feeding your face first?

For creative cocktails like no other, pop into Nightjar for a swift drink before heading over to the uber-cool Zigfrid Von Underbelly. Open 7 days a week with an underground club downstairs and a lounge bar and DJ upstairs, you’ll be getting your groove on until the sun comes up.

Watch This Space…

In the meantime, here at City Man, we love nothing more than to give Cupid a helping hand, so keep an eye out for future features about digital dating in the modern era.

The post Swipe Right – Taking your digital match on a real date! appeared first on City Man Magazine.