Erika Kaplan

Matchmaker

Erika Kaplan is a Dating Coach and Matchmaker for Three Day Rule, an exclusive matchmaking company across nine cities in the United States. With over six 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.

wikiHow's Editorial Process wikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.

Forum Comments (4)

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.

Co-authored Articles (61)

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...

Dating Older or Younger: How Much of an Age Difference Is Acceptable?

Does age really matter in relationships? Or is it just a number? If you’re interested in someone much older or younger than you are, you’re probably wondering if you can make the relationship work. The good news is, ...

How to

Tell if an Older Guy Likes You

Is that cute older guy flirting with you or just being friendly? You might have experience figuring out if guys your own age are into you, but how can you tell when there’s an age gap? When it comes to older guys, ther...

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...

12 Things to Consider Before Dating an Older Man

If you’ve been on the dating scene for a while, you may be getting tired of the immaturity of people your own age. Setting your sights on an older man might seem like a logical next step, but it’s important to weigh ...

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 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...

How to

Deal with a Mother in Law Who Hates You

Dealing with a toxic mother-in-law can be frustrating and confusing. You might wonder what you've done to deserve her hatred or if there's anything you can do to make her like you. Thankfully, there's a lot you can do to...

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...

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

Cute & romantic ideas for every occasion Surprising your boyfriend can be a great way to bring the two of you closer. Surprises leave a strong, emotional impression and can even seem to stop time, shaking up expectations...

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...

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...

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 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

Meet Your Girlfriend's Parents

So, the time has come for you to meet your girlfriend’s parents. You might be feeling a mixture of nervousness, excitement and fear. You’ll want her folks to like you, but you’ll also want to be yourself. You ca...

How to Know if a Guy Wants You Back (And What to Do)

How to tell if he wants to make up (and if it's worth it to reconnect) Fights happen in every relationship, but sometimes, a major blowup can lead to a falling out, whether it's with your boyfriend or your best guy frie...

How to

Know if Your Girlfriend Is Too Clingy

Being a little clingy isn't that unusual, especially when a relationship is new and you're still learning to trust and understand each other. If your girlfriend is acting so needy that you feel smothered, though, you may...

How to Take It Slow in a Relationship to Make It Last

Experts give advice on slowing things down with your partnerWhen you’re first starting a new relationship, taking things slowly is a great way to protect your heart and meet the right person for you. Fortunately, there...
See more articles