SMS Texting

There are 50 million text messages sent every day worldwide, and there is a significant increase in the number of messages sent in the UK between 10pm and 2am on Friday and Saturday nights - prime dating time.

Text messaging (technically known as short message service or SMS) can be an excellent - yet non-intrusive way - of keeping in contact with a new date. Sending a simple text such as 'thanks for the evening: safe journey home' is a great way to end an evening. It says: 'I wouldn't dream of ringing you, just in case you didn't have a great time and don't want to see me again, but I want you to know that I did enjoy myself and would like to go out again'. Texting is also like slipping a note to someone you fancied at school - it's still just a little bit naughty, secret and fun.

You can contact someone without worrying about what they're doing or where they are. Just be careful that texting doesn't become so addictive that you lose out on actually speaking to each other - it can be an easy habit to fall into.

Texting, like everything else, has its own set of rules. a quick response shows that they're definitely keen, whereas leaving a reply for a few days might show a waning interest.