Seems everyone has an opinion about the Vancouver dating scene, and its mostly bad. But is it REALLY that hard to find your special someone in Vancouver? Well, it depends. If you believe the naysayers then yes. If, on the other hand, you practice some simple dating habits then no. If you're ready to have dating success in Vancouver and find your special someone, here's your how-to guide:

• Do:  be proactive - in spite of what you've heard, its rare for singles in any major city to have success in love by sitting back and waiting for their prince or princess charming to come along. If what you're doing isn't working, try something new.
• Don't - wait for your love life to simply happen.
• Do:  be positive - no-one enjoys spending time with a 'Negative Nate or Nelly', especially someone who's looking for a long term relationship partner. Focus on positive topics and things that make you feel good.
• Don't:  complain about the Vancouver dating scene - if there's such thing as the 'Vicious Cycle of Vancouver Dating', it begins right here.
• Do:  be creative - the best way to meet different types of people is to do different things - check out some music events, art openings or community events.
• Don't:  become a regular - having a favorite spot is natural (think Norm from Cheers) - but expecting your perfect match to come walking through that same old door is a lousy strategy.
• Do:  look outdoors and indoors - Vancouverites (unlike singles in Toronto, London or New York) are notoriously smitten with the outdoors. That doesn't mean you have to spend all your free time on the Grouse Grind, but grabbing a coffee along the seawall might be worth a shot.
• Don't:  wait for the outdoors to come to you.
• Do:  break free from your comfort zone - if you're not meeting anyone new, then being completely comfortable with your approach may not be the way to go.  Do some new things - if they make you feel a bit nervous at first, you're on the right track.
• Don't:  let your own 'happiness with who you are' turn into 'complacency'. Yes, happiness starts with you but ideally you want someone to share that with.