Dating is hard....but don't be someone you're not just to be in a relationship...be yourself!

1. The Insta-mate
  Your date really, really likes you… which seems flattering at first, until   you realize that what this person really likes is being in a relationship with,   well, just about anyone willing to stick around. Don’t be surprised if,   on date #2, your date invites you to move in and you decide to move on.

2. The Overlapper
  Think Insta-mate but with better planning skills. Perpetually prepared for the   day you two part ways, he or she always has someone else lined up or waiting   in the wings so the Overlapper can seamlessly move from one relationship to   the next. This dater usually chooses the next mate from the extensive pool of   opposite-sex friends that are invariably on call. The Overlapper will most likely   drive you nuts with jealousy before you throw in the towel.

3. The Perpetual Charmer
  This open-minded adventurer views the dating world as a personal smorgasbord.   The Charmer is with a hot Brazilian dancer one month, a buttoned-down lawyer   the next. A particular favorite of his or her married friends because he shares   stories of his latest escapades, the Charmer “likes to keep my options   open,” so if you’re trying to get one to settle down, don’t hold   your breath.

4. The Fake Date
  You’re the best of friends. You cook dinners together, rent movies, crash   in each other’s apartments, and for all intents and purposes, act like   a couple. Maybe you’ve got a crush on this person and would like to take   things further, but he or she wouldn’t want to “ruin the friendship”   by getting romantically involved. The harsh truth? Deep down, these sorts get   a huge ego boost from knowing you’re secretly in love with him or her and   has no intention of reciprocating. Trust us, you don’t have a chance.

5. The List Maker
  The List Maker has a long checklist of what to look for in a date; it may even   be written down. And yet, as much as the List Maker is out there meeting plenty   of fine people, this dater never finds someone who fits the bill… maybe   because that bill includes that an ideal date must have a Ph.D., a second home   in Paris, and moonlight as a part-time model.

6. The Hunter
  This dater is super-attentive with a seemingly unbridled interest in you —   and the less interested you seem, the more ardently the Hunter pursues you with   flowery emails, frequent phone calls and fabulous first dates. But once you’re   hooked, the Hunter wants out. Hunting dates makes for great sport, but where’s   the fun unless you’re always on the run?

7. The Crumb Thrower
  These frustrating characters do just enough to keep you interested, but not   a smidgen more. Plus, they seem to have a sixth sense about when you’re   getting fed up — and will give you just enough extra attention to keep   you hanging on. It is possible to move this relationship forward, inch by inch,   but the Crumb Thrower is never happy about it… so why try?

8. The Camel
  These hardy souls can go for ages without a relationship, but it’s generally   by choice; after all, a Camel has plenty of friends, a bustling career, and   more to keep him or her busy. The Camel may not be a bad bet, because if one   chooses you, at least it’s because he or she really wants to be with you,   not because of constantly being alone or bored.

9. The Keeper
  Finally, there are those all-too-rare daters. He or she calls as promised, doesn’t   take things too fast or too slow, is fun, kind and doesn’t want to date   anyone else after falling for you. If you find one like this, hold on tight!