No matter what anyone says, there’s nothing wrong with playing the field. Whether you’re internet dating or dating traditionally, there are specific strategies you can use to make playing the field a bit easier and avoid hurting anyone’s feelings. After all, playing the field is all about the fun factor, right?

Maintain a Calendar

Maybe this is obvious but I have SEEN IT HAPPEN! Its so mortifying. You think you are Mister or Miss Hot Thing, with dates lining up so fast you can barely find time to do laundry. But then, BAM! It happens. You forget you made plans with Suitor A and agree to a movie with Suitor B and before you know it, people get annoyed, you get stressed (which makes you less than your usual fabulous self) and suddenly, the whole game starts to unravel.

It doesn’t matter how keen you think your memory is. Sooner or later it’s going to fail you given the excite of playing the field. Writing it down on a calendar, or keeping track of it on your cell phone or PDA ensures you don’t get your signals crossed.

No Lying

At the outset of this little chat, I said theres nothing wrong with playing the field. Let me now amend that to say this: theres nothing wrong with playing the field, as long as youre honest.

Take this to heart; it’s essential. Your motivation for playing the field doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you don’t lie about it. You just never know when one of the not-so-special dates could turn into someone truly amazing. If you lie about dating around, chances are that burgeoning relationship will be ruined before it has a chance to go anywhere.

You don’t need to broadcast your dating schedule. But if one of your dates asks, tell the truth. You’ve done nothing wrong so don’t act guilty about it. Just be clear and up front. You never know, your candor might lead to some interesting conversation. Honesty is catching and everyone wins.

Protect Yourself

Chances are that if you’re dating more than one person, you will also have more than one sexual partner at a time. The bottom line? Take responsibility and protect yourself. For the sake of your own sexual health as well as that of your partners. Protecting yourself will also help you avoid potentially awkward and embarrassing conversations and you will sleep (wink, wink) much easier.

Learn when enough is enough

It’s very easy to let playing the field become a rollercoaster ride that distracts your from other things in your life. Like work or just kicking back and relaxing, or perhaps even focusing your attention solely on one of your new found friends. Learn to stop playing the field if it all starts to become a bit too much.

One more thing about honesty. You need to keep a close eye on your dates’ feelings for you. You may not be looking for something serious, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t. If the starts in their eyes twinkle just a bit too brightly then you’re not on the same page and you need to put the brakes on. Fun and games is one thing; a broken heart is quite another.