Erika Kaplan

Matchmaker

Erika Kaplan is a Dating Coach and Matchmaker for Three Day Rule, an exclusive matchmaking company across fifteen cities in the United States. With over eleven years of experience, Erika specializes in helping singles find quality matches through date coaching and premium matchmaking services. Erika graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She worked for Rolling Stone, Us Weekly, and Men’s Journal before leaving publishing to pursue her passion for connecting people. Erika has been featured on Lifetime, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and CBS as well as in Thrillist, Elite Daily, Men’s Health, Fast Company, and Refinery29.

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Forum Comments (5)

Am I good at flirting?
I think there's a way to be subtle without hurting people's feelings. So make sure that you're not sending mixed messages by holding their hand or touching them on the shoulder playfully, or anything like that. Make sure that you feel that the relationship reads as strictly platonic. If need be, you can make it clear by saying, "I'm so happy to have you as a friend in my life, and you mean a lot to me." Just make it clear that you feel that they are a friend of yours.
I have a crush on my best friends younger brother. What do I do?
When we're dealing with friends’ siblings, I think it's very much meeting someone where they are while still kind of keeping to your authentic self. So, finding ways to kind of connect and relate to who they are and what their interests are to subtly prove to them that you two are on the same page.

Allow yourself to be a little bit vulnerable in front of the person that you're speaking to. Not fun and jokes all the time but actually trying to kind of be vulnerable and confide in that person just a little bit without oversharing. What you need to be careful about is veering too far from what's important to you. So, don't change who you are and your identity based on who this person is.
How do you respond to a compliment?
It's easier said than done, but I do think that it’s important to embrace the idea of just being grateful for someone's compliment. It can be difficult to take a compliment, but that actually stems from self-doubt and insecurities, so focusing on confidence and self-love can help.
What should I do if my partner acts clingy?
Set boundaries for what you're comfortable with, but try to compromise to ensure you both feel secure in the relationship. If you feel like someone is clinging, it’s usually possible to meet in the middle.

On the one hand, you can give them the reinforcement they need to feel secure in the relationship by being there when you say you will and following through on your word. On the other hand, it’s also okay to express that you need a little bit more space and independence sometimes, especially if you’re an independent person, which many of us are.
I feel guilty about not liking him!!!!!
I think there's a way to be subtle without hurting people's feelings. So make sure that you're not sending mixed messages by holding their hand or touching them on the shoulder playfully, or anything like that. Make sure that you feel that the relationship reads as strictly platonic. If need be, you can make it clear by saying, "I'm so happy to have you as a friend in my life, and you mean a lot to me." Just make it clear that you feel that they are a friend of yours and nothing more.

Q&A Comments (71)

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Co-authored Articles (57)

105 Flirty, Cute, & Deep Questions to Ask Your Boyfriend

Get to know him better with these sweet and spicy questionsLooking for ways to learn more about your boyfriend and make him feel desired? Asking fun and juicy questions is one of the best ways to bond as a couple, even i...

What is the Red Shirt Method and Does It Really Work?

Dating coach Erika Kaplan provides an expert analysis of this viral TikTok dating adviceYou might’ve seen videos on TikTok referencing something called the “Red Shirt Method,” which appears to be a dating hack that...

Why Am I Attracted to Older Men?

Do you find yourself feeling attracted to older men? You might be interested in figuring out why; is it psychological, or something else entirely? The truth is, you can’t control who you’re attracted to. And even tho...

How to Move On from a Crush (And Stop Thinking About Them)

Stop obsessing over your crush (even if you see them every day)Few things in life are more delicious than a crush—or more painful, if you can’t be together. When you really dig somebody, realizing it won’t work out...

How to Spot the Signs of the Friend Zone (And How to Get Out)

Find out what you are without ruining your relationshipThere’s nothing wrong with being just friends, but that doesn’t make it easier when you want to be more than that. But how can you tell if it’s actually the fr...

10 Polite Ways to Reject a Date Nicely over Text, with Examples

You’ve just received a text from someone interested in you⁠—they want to go on a date! Unfortunately, the spark isn’t there for you. Rejecting someone politely and respectfully, especially over text, can be awkwa...

Can 20-Year Age Gap Relationships Really Work?

Is age just a number, or is dating outside your generation a big deal?You see it in Hollywood all the time: a 20-year-old on the arm of a 50-year-old (usually, it’s a young woman with an older man). There’s a stigma ...

How to Write the Perfect Love Note to Your Crush

Share your true feelings with your crush with our helpA crush will always be just a crush unless you let them know how you feel. If you’re too shy to tell your crush that you like them in person, you could write them a...

What Does the Phrase "Chivalry is Dead" Mean?

Explaining the classic idiom, as well as “chivalry” itself What is chivalry, and when did it die? Also, why does it matter? You’ve probably heard the curious phrase "Chivalry is dead" before, most likely after some...

How to Spot a Clingy Boyfriend (& Why He Acts That Way)

Telltale signs of a clingy boyfriend and how to cope with his behavior Being loved and desired by your boyfriend feels amazing, but how can you tell when he’s starting to get too clingy? We’re here to help. Clingines...

How to Stop Being a Simp (And Find Real Connection)

Learn to stop chasing one-sided relationships In the modern age, “simp” is a term used for someone who puts themselves in a submissive position in hopes of winning a person over. If that sounds familiar, then you pro...

10 Conversation Topics for Meeting His Parents and Making a Great Impression

Meeting your significant other’s parents for the first time can be nerve-racking. You want them to like you, but what should you talk about? Whether you’re frantically searching for conversation topics on the car rid...

How to Surprise Your Boyfriend or Fiance

Dating coach Erika Kaplan & wikiHow staff provide sweet, thoughtful, & romantic ways to surprise your BF and make him feel loved Surprising your boyfriend can be a great way to bring the two of you closer. Surprises leav...

How to

Know if You Like Someone or if You're Just Lonely

New relationships bring up a lot of questions: “Is this going anywhere?” “Do they really like me?” “Do I really like them?”. Answering these questions sincerely can help you avoid heartache down the line and ...

8 Things You Should Do when Going to Your Boyfriend's House for the First Time

When you’re dating someone new, being invited over to his house for the first time is exciting. It can also feel a little daunting, especially if he lives with his family or roommates. If you’re preparing to head ove...

How to

Be Aloof

When you think of an aloof person, you probably think of someone who’s uninterested, detached, and a little cold. Despite its negative rap, aloofness can actually be useful sometimes. Maybe you need to shut out difficu...

How to Break a Soul Tie with an Ex

Forming soul ties to significant others is all too common—and if you still feel bound to your ex, cutting those connections might be your best way to move on. Soul ties are deep emotional bonds that make you feel like ...

How to

Be in a Relationship Without Your Parents Knowing

Do you have a relationship you want to hide from your parents? Whether you’re keeping it a secret because you’re too young or because your parents won’t approve, there are steps you can take to keep your relationsh...

How to

Attract an Older Woman (Teens)

Older women are more experienced, wiser, more mature, and more confident. So how do you attract one? It's hard enough to attract an older girl, but you've really got the odds stacked against you when you're a teenage guy...

How to

Deal With Having a Crush on Your Friend's Sister

You and your friend might spend a lot of time at each other’s houses and with each other’s family. So it might not come as a surprise to you that you are developing a crush on your friend’s sister. You might decide...
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