Monday, March 29, 2010

Dos and donts of dating

First dates are a necessary evil in the lives of singles. They combine the pressure of job interviews with the artificiality of plastic flowers. You’re willing to do practically ANYTHING to make a good impression; all the while you’re observing each move your date makes with the suspicious air of a judge looking down his/her nose at a defendant.

With all the high hopes, expectations and fears men and women bring to the table on a first date, it’s a wonder anyone makes it to the second these days. To aid in the progress of l’amour au courant, here are some first date do’s and don’ts to follow:

DO:

* Be yourself. Let me amend that to be your BEST self. This is not the time to admit to all the vulnerabilities and insecurities that regularly beset you, nor to share the story of how the shock of catching your fiancé in bed with your brother landed you in a mental institution. Trot out the tried-and-true tales that showcase your sweet and sparkling personality.

* Be a good listener. The purpose of this strategy is twofold. A man likes a woman who isn’t a conversation hog. He wants the opportunity to shine in your eyes by trotting out HIS tried-and-true tales. Plus, allowing him to orate gives you the chance to discern what makes him tick. If he talks about how ALL of his ex girlfriends are bitter, selfish, man-hating crones, imagine their side of the story. If he admits to not being the marrying kind, that’s valuable information to have early on as well. (No, you won’t change him!) If he talks about how the thing that gives life meaning for him is being involved in a love relationship - well, isn’t that good info to know?

* Try to have fun. Your life does not hang in the balance. It’s just a date. All you’re really doing is hanging out for a few hours with a new acquaintance. Lighten up.


DONT:


* Pretend to be someone you’re not. If you eat meat and he’s a vegetarian, fess up to your carnivorous ways. Ditto if you’re a two-pack-a-day gal and he’s a non-smoker. The truth will always out eventually: Sooner is truly better than later.



* Make a snap judgment about your feelings toward him. Unless he’s a TOTAL boor or potential nutcase, give him another try or two before writing him off. Rush to first date judgment and you’ll have lots and lots of time to regret the hasty rejection of someone who might have been the love of your life.

* Leave him hanging. If you’d like to see him again, say, "I had a great time. The time really flew." Yes, you can kiss him goodnight but don’t act desperate to set up a second date on the spot. If the first date is all she wrote for you, say, "It was a pleasure meeting you. All the best." Don’t dilute the message by engaging in kissy-kissy.

The most important first tip of all: Date safe. Don’t take risks with your safety. Just because your cousin’s friend’s boss introduced you to this guy doesn’t mean you should invite a virtual stranger in for some wine and music. Besides, not rushing into intimacy gives you something to look forward to on future dates.

Where to go on your first date

Where to go?

No matter how much you try to look your best and spit shine your car for that extra gloss, you are only as good as what you have to offer. This means that the slickest and smoothest talker has to follow up with fun and original first date ideas.

Remember the saying, "Actions speak louder than words?" Well, it couldn't be any truer in this situation. You might rant about how much you enjoy extreme sports and living life in the fast lane, but when the first date comes around, in-line skating starts to seem like a pretty tame and unoriginal idea.

What does this say about your personality? It mainly shows that you are not who you claim to be, not to mention that you don't seem to be that much fun from the get-go. On a blind date, the stakes are even higher, as you will be judged from the word go.

So, to make sure that all AskMen.com readers are equipped with a guide on places to go and things to do on a first date, we proudly present the bronze, silver and gold of the top 15 first date ideas.

bronze first date ideas

1- The beach
If you're the type who likes to see what she's all about right away, then take her to the beach. This is the perfect way to enjoy the sun, show off your new swimsuit and see what she looks like in a bikini. And if all else fails, there is still enough eye candy to keep you busy.

2- Billiards
If you feel like you're the best thing to happen to billiards since the cue-stick after seeing Tom Cruise in The Color Of Money, why not invite her to play some pool with you? This is an interesting setup to secure a second date.

You can raise the stakes by saying, "Whoever loses the game must cook supper for the other." And just like that, you've got yourself a second round of love.

3- Mini golf
If you can't tell the difference between a wedge and an iron, maybe miniature golf is the way to go. A cheap and fairly easy "sport," it allows for some physical contact when you have to give her a crash course on how to hold the putter.

4- Concert
Although first dates should emphasize conversation in order to get to know each other, some loud music and screaming people might be an alternative. Let's say your favorite band comes to town for one night only, which is incidentally the same night you are supposed to go on your first date with the girl, then take her to the show and kill two birds with one stone.

5- Amusement park
Even if amusement parks are generally aimed at children, who says that grown adults can't engage in some childish fun? Take her for a spin on the Ferris wheel or win her a big ol' teddy bear, and she won't have a chance to get bored.

silver first date ideas

6- Picnic
Good first date ideas need not involve a second mortgage on your home. It can simply be a quiet get together that allows for stimulating conversation, such as a picnic, which is also a good venue for you to show off your sandwich-making skills and your sangria expertise.

7- Casino
Just imagine going to the casino with your woman and having her blow on your dice. It's a nice feeling to double-down at Black Jack and come out of there with a pocket full of cash. Beware: easy come, easy go. And we're not only talking about the money.

8- Go-karting
Why not test her driving skills? F1 karting is an exciting and fairly cheap way to test her road abilities and take her for a ride. You can pretend that you're Michael Schumacher and that the F1 babes are cheering you on!

9- Golf
Golf may be one of the most relaxing sports you could engage in with your date. You can show off your Tiger Woods-like expertise golf tips.

Remember that non-sweaty activities are the way to go because your woman won't want to feel sticky and gooey -- this might put a damper when you're going for par, if you know what we mean.

10- Psychic
Women love to know about the future, their karma and all that mumbo jumbo. Get her palm read and have her find out if somebody close to her is going to win the lottery or if a new love is coming into her life. If that's the case, then it will save you plenty of headaches, not to mention dollar bills, as to whether or not she actually likes you.

gold first date ideas

11- Limo ride
If you want to impress your date with a great night on the town, literally, then why not take her along for a ride? Just don't go overboard and try to appear like a high roller; if you do, you might find your date jumping out the sunroof.

12- Roof terrace
Bringing your date to the highest point in the city can be exhilarating for both of you. Some hotels, restaurants or buildings have roof-top terraces for people to enjoy -- especially at night.

13- Catered meal
Sometimes a simple house date with some gourmet-catered food and drinks is the way to go. Impress your woman with fine cuisine prepared by a chef. It might cost some extra money, but at least there's a chance that you won't have to drive her home!

14- Massage
Although this requires some planning, escaping the busy urban life and going to an out-of-town resort might be the best thing. Imagine getting a Swedish massage, enjoying the sauna, jumping in the Jacuzzi, all while looking over the beautiful scenery.

This date is a surefire success, but beware because a date like this one will be difficult to top.

15- Balloon ride
There is nothing like looking at people from a bird's-eye view, floating above the city with her hanging on to you because she is afraid of heights

how to ask her out on a date

How To Ask A Girl Out On Date

You met her, you talked to her, you got her number and, so far, everything is going great. But now comes that awkward point, …
How To Ask A Girl Out For Date

If it is a girl you are really interested in your mind might be filled with doubts and insecurities :

What if she says no ?

Am I trying to move too fast ?

Maybe she thought we were just friends and she will be offended if I ask.

All of these fears, although natural and common, are dumb. If you want a date with this girl you have the right to ask her out. Don't allow your life to be ruled by doubt and insecurity.
So what are the best ways to ask a girl out ?

There are several cheesy techniques you can use to lower your chances of rejection (such as making a bet with a girl and the loser has to make them dinner) but these kinds of games are unnecessary. If you are straightforward, and don't beat around the bush about what you want, a girl will respect and admire your confidence.

Optimally, you would ask her in a face-to-face setting. However, if that is not possible, either because the opportunity won't present itself or because you aren't confident enough, your best alternative would be over the phone.

Avoid, at all costs, asking through email or any other written medium (Instant Messenger, a note, etc.). Not only do these methods scream "CHICKEN!" they also leave behind a paper trail that may or may not come back to haunt you.

One way to avoid looking like an idiot is to have something in mind to say for these three possible reactions to your question so you won't be caught off guard :

If she says "yes"

Have a plan in mind; know your schedule and have an idea to suggest.

If she says "no"

Don't act shocked or offended. Just be like, "Alright." Then carry on the conversation as if you never asked. Be friendly and polite. Too often guys take a "no" personally and get ticked off. Girls don't admire or respect a negative reaction. The fact that you were able to brush off her rejection so easily may actually raise her interest.

If she says "some other time"

Have a plan B in case she is busy. If she still acts like she has too much to do it's probably because she's not interested and doesn't want to hurt your feelings. Accept it as a rejection and move on.

Of course, you go into it expecting her to say "yes" but it's, as with most things in life, it's important to be prepared for the worst.
Tips on how to ask a girl out

The real key to getting women to say "yes" when you ask for the date IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE ATTRACTED TO YOU.

If a woman is attracted to you then why wouldn't she want to go out on a date with you ? It makes sense but most guys don't think of it that way... they miss the point and focus on "how to ask" rather than focusing on raising her attraction

How to get her phone number

Brief Encounter
1.
Step 1

Brief encounters are times when you may only get one chance to talk to a woman. Maybe it's in line at the supermarket, sitting in a cafe or in the hallway at school. The key to these encounters is confidence. Stand or sit straight, make eye contact, smile and be friendly. Practice these habits at home or with friends you're already comfortable with. You don't have to tell your friends, just make a point to make eye contact or to walk a little bit taller each day.
2.
Step 2

In most situations, you will want to start a small conversation before asking for a girl's number. You can often determine some topics from your surroundings. Are you pumping gas at a gas station? You can comment on her car, the traffic, gas prices, or even the weather. If you're at school, try asking what classes she's taking or simply comment on your surroundings. There are unlimited potential questions, so be original.
3.
Step 3

Seeing as this is only a brief encounter, your conversation won't be able to last very long. Luckily, this can be used to your advantage. If the two of you had a good conversation for only 30 seconds, it's likely she'll want to know more. Now's a good time to ask for her phone number. You can't chat about the tabloids in line at the supermarket all day, so what better way to continue the conversation than over the telephone or dinner.
Ongoing Friendships
4.
Step 1

Ongoing friendships are relationships where you see the girl frequently and don't have a strict time limit to get the number. Rather than conversation and confidence, the key to these situations is a mild friendship. Joke around with the girl as you would one of your friends and act as naturally as you can. Try to remember that this girl is just another person and she does normal people things. She goes home at the end of the day and watches TV, she gets bored and she has fears. Even if you aren't the greatest conversationalist, she'll have times to pick up on your other qualities.
5.
Step 2

While it's important to gain friendship, make sure to hint about your romantic interest as well. Flirting techniques, such as subtle touches to her hands, are a great way to accomplish this goal.
6.
Step 3

If the girl returns your flirtatious behavior, it's likely you'll be able to successfully ask for her number. Find something the two of you have in common, such as an activity you would both like to participate in. After suggesting that the two of you do this activity together, you'll have an excuse to ask for her number. This takes a lot of pressure off of the question and makes the exchange more natural.
7.
Step 4

If Step 3 is simply too much to handle, try asking for her instant messenger name or email address. You could even befriend her on a social networking website and begin talking there. The Internet provides a variety of tools to make this question easier.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Wat not to do

* Do not say or do anything that will offend her or hurt her.
* Whatever you do, never offend her friends.
* Do not cause an argument that isn't necessary.
* Do not cause a scene anywhere!
* don't be afraid to give her a little hug any time
* Your friends might accuse you of being "whipped".

some tips

* Do not flirt with anyone else.
* Do not give her too many gifts or she will think you are trying to buy her love.
* Do not say you are sorry all the time.
* Do not let her blame herself for everything. Take some responsibility.
* Do not make-out with her in front of her friends, this will make the friends mad at her and you, which is never good for either one of you
* Be yourself.
* Always pay attention to details ,try to understand what she likes the most.
* Don't be negative.
* Always make the first move, even if it's just grabbing her hand or going in for a kiss goodbye.

how to make her happy

# Always be a gentleman. Hold doors open for her, be polite and be helpful.
#
2
Know her favorite song and listen to her type of music, then share what you think about it.
#
3
Learn to love what she does. ie. If she's a photographer, love pictures.
#
4
Tell her you love her, but not too often. It loses its luster if you overuse it.
#
5
Make sure you mean it whenever you tell her that you love her.
#
6
Make her happy by buying her gifts, but know what she likes beforehand. Jewelery is a great choice but don't be offended if she doesn't wear it all the time.
#
7
Ask her if she's cold when it's cold out. Have a jacket or a coat handy so you can give it to her.
#
8
Go out somewhere and have some fun. Some good places to go are movies, restaurants, and other relaxing locations.
#
9
Never ignore her and just walk off with your friends. It's rude to do that. If she does it to you, wait a minute for her to return to you, and if she doesn't, go talk to your friends.
#
10
Hold her hand at the movies or when you're walking. Girls love that.
#
11
Before you kiss her, take a breath mint.
#
12
Move the relationship at a pace you're both comfortable with. If you don't match up, try to compromise. If that doesn't work out, politely find someone else.
#
13
Make a good impression on her parents. Even if she doesn't like them, they can be your greatest allies in the long run.
#
14
Become friends with her friends. It gives you more things in common with your girl. Eventually, her friends will love you, and that's a definite turn-on for your girlfriend.
#
15
Walk her to classes if you go to the same school. When you walk her, carry her books, even if she isn't struggling. Some girls won't let you, though. If she denies a few times, let it go and don't push.
#
16
When you listen to your iPod around her, share an ear with her. This way, you'll be closer because the cord is short and you'll have an excuse to hold her hand or put your arm around her.
#
17
Don't be too shy. There are times and places that are appropriate to be shy, like kissing in public. Don't be too shy to put your arm around her or hold her hand, because you shouldn't be ashamed to have some public displays of affection.
#
18
Kiss something other than her lips, like her hand, her forehead or her cheek. Anything like that will definitely put a smile on her face.
#
19
If you know she has a good sense of humor, learn a new joke every day and tell it to her. If she appreciates a good-sensed joke, don't be afraid to share. Just make sure it doesn't offend her.
#
20
Be confident. Be proud of who you are, and being her boyfriend. Giving nice comments always makes a girls day, just not too many.
#
21
Make her a mixed CD of her favorite songs. It shows that you pay attention to the things she likes and you appreciate her style of music. If you don't know her favorite songs, buddy up with her best friend and ask for some help.
#
22
When she isn't feeling well, or home sick; bring her some soup, hot tea, and flowers.
#
23
Get her something just because you care for her.
#
24
Always respect her and always be willing to help her.
#
25
Don't go too fast into the relationship. Take it nice and slow, but not too slow.
#
26
Ask her what she would like to do sometimes.
#
27
Make sure to actually do things for her. Everyone knows to open doors for her, but nobody seems to help her clean, make food for her, and other things like that. She does it for you, why not do it for her too?
#
28
Let her know that you are the one that she can talk to about anything! Be there for her through thick and thin. She will feel comfortable with you and trust you.
#
29
Write her love notes. When writing notes, try to make them cute and show her that you care. Writing notes is a great way to show her that you are spontaneous and romantic.
#
30
Tell her that your lucky that you found her. She loves it when you say it.
#
31
Never tell her that you hate her beloved friends.
#
32
Never tell her that you don't like the things she does.
#
33
Always give her a smile, that will cheer her up.
#
34
Never EVER give her things that are malicious, that will make her think that your a maniac.
#
35
If you want her to be yours forever, always help her out, never leave her side, and most likely never ever turn your back on her.
#
36
If budget permits, book the occasional weekend away. Every woman loves a bit of alone time with her partner.
#
37
If she's been at home in the day looking after your child/children and you come in from work, help her out! She knows you've been at work, but there isn't a job in the world as demanding as looking after Children.
#
38
Listen to her advice even if you don't agree. Keep and open ear
#
39
Dont try to show off in front of her and make a fool of yourself because it can be embarrassing for you and her.

how to make up after a fight

There you are… you’re having a peaceful moment with your girlfriend engaging in meaningless conversation about an equally senseless issue when it comes out of nowhere to blindside you both: a fight so nasty that, after several rounds
of back-and-forth bickering, sends the two of you to your respective corners… banged up and badly bruised.

At first, your ego stands tall fueled by the fury of the recent event. There’s no way in hell you’re taking that initial step toward a resolution, you think to yourself. But like all matters involving conflict, time lends its healing hand here as well and before you know it… you’re feeling calm yet overwhelmed with guilt.

You want to make up with her but you’re clueless as to how you should proceed. You’re embarrassed and at a loss for words because deep down you know that saying “sorry” just ain’t gonna cut it.

So, if you’re finding yourself in this all-too-common situation let me offer you a simple approach that, when followed, virtually guarantees a swift recovery and you’ll soon be chalking up this fight to nothing more than a faint memory of the past.

It all boils down to 3 steps, so here they are…

Step 1: Make Your Apology Count…

Do this by meeting her in person to say you’re sorry. But before you run off to see her, take some time to put a written apology on a card as well. You’ll be giving this to her when you get together, but only after you’ve verbally expressed your thoughts.

This order of events is crucial. Why? Because too many “men” hide behind their keyboards when it comes to saying sorry. They send off a half-baked email to their girlfriends in order to avoid the personal encounter. It takes guts to raise your hand and admit you’re wrong. She knows this and will not only appreciate the sincerity of your gesture, but she’ll take your willingness to make up that much more seriously.

Now, here’s where that well written apology card comes in…

Even if your girlfriend flat-out rejects your attempt to make up because she’s still fuming from the fight, she’ll have your words to read over somewhere down the road when in a better mood. This “two-pronged approach” ensures that she takes what you have to say to heart.

Step 2: Take All The Heat If You Must… At Least Initially

If you’re looking for a quick resolve with this girl then you have to approach her with tact and take on full blame for the fight. Forget about your ego and swallow your pride. Any logical arguments you might want to bring up as to why you’re not entirely to blame you’ll have to save for later. There’s a time and place for this but the initial meeting where you’ll be apologizing is not one of them.

But don’t worry… you’ll get the chance to put your word in soon enough. It won’t be long before she calms down and is receptive to hearing what you have to say in your defense. And when that moment comes, you can be sure that she’ll be agreeing with most of it. Because if you’ve done everything right up until now, she’ll be feeling the weight of her own guilt as well. But this won’t happen unless you bite the bullet first!

Step 3: Back Off And Let Her Make The Next Move…

Depending on the relationship and the seriousness of the fight this step might not be necessary. She might accept your apology from the get go and you can put this fight behind you. However, I’ve included it here to cover all possible ways this scenario can play itself out.

If your girlfriend doesn’t immediately make up with you after apologizing or even taking the full blame for the fight, your next move is to back off and let her know that you’ll wait for her to get in touch whenever she feels ready.

Under no circumstances should you push for a resolve. There’s nothing more counter-productive than trying to persuade an angry woman for a second chance… especially if she’s not ready to give it to you.

However, rest assured that, in time, she will forgive and forget. And if you’ve followed the instructions in here to the letter, she’ll also reward you in her own way for handling this fight in a mature fashion (let your imagination run wild with the latter ;)).

In conclusion, while this fight with your girlfriend may seem like the end of the world (with no possibility of coming to a resolution), rest assured that by taking a stepwise and calculated approach, this too will come to pass. And when it does, you’ll be happy to find yourself back where you started: enjoying the peaceful times with the girl you love.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

How to win her heart

#
1
Be Brave. Most girls like guys with confidence, not an ego. Just walk up to her and start a simple conversation.

#
2
Prove that you really love her and are not simply crushing or lusting for her. Ask her about herself, talk to her, don't just move in for the kiss: actually listen to her and look her in the eye.
#
3
Care for Her: Ask her about her day. It's a simple way to show her that you are interested in what she does. When she starts to talk, you must give her your full attention. Look her in the eye and don't check anyone else out! And most importantly, don't interrupt! Ask her questions about it though, because it will show her that you are concerned. Offer to help her.
#
4
Don't tell girls- for that matter, anyone at all - they have a flaw unless you are OBVIOUSLY poking fun at them, even then only if you know they can take a joke, and know you well enough to know how to react to your teasing. Otherwise you risk putting them off.
#
5
Show respect for other girls too. When she realizes that other girls take interest in you then she will automatically get to the point where you want her to be.
#
6
Make sure to be good friends with her friends. If her friends like you, you'll have a better chance of winning her over. After all, girls often turn to their friends for advice and for a second opinion. So, it's best if her friends have a high opinion of you, right?
#
7
Make her feel like the most beautiful thing in the world. You can actually directly say that. Girls LOVE to be complimented and to know that they are beautiful, but don't push it, then you just feel awkward and can't hold a conversation about something else. Just saying something like "you look really nice today" will make her happy. As long as you're sincere because if you are not, they will not trust your opinion on other things.
#
8
Make sure she feels safe with you. Most girls want to have someone they can trust and turn to when something goes wrong. And even when she is having a good day let her know you're interested in how she's doing. If you know that she has plans after work or school, ask her how it went. If you let on that you like her, she'll eventually pick up on the hints. Girls are usually smart with things like this...TRUST ME.
#
9
Feel good and bad for her. If she is having a bad day, let her know that you feel her pain and that you want her to feel better. Then ACTUALLY ATTEMPT TO MAKE HER FEEL BETTER!!!!!!!!
#
10
Simple little touches will help. If her head hurts tell her you're sorry and stroke her face a little bit-but ONLY if she's single. Make a point to pick a pretend fuzz ball off of her back or something and then quickly stroke her back with your hand, but make sure you don't rub her down.
#
11
And if you can make a girl laugh, you'll get further with her. But don't take advantage of this. Let her be your best friend first, then ease your into things. A girl needs to know that she can trust you, and that you're not going to break her heart because you really do care about her.
#
12
Another tip: let her wear your jacket if she's cold. It makes an even bigger impression if you take it off of your back and give it to her to wear, but make sure it's clean and smells decent. In doing this, you show a girl that you care about her.
#
13
Women take pride in hygiene and if a man has good hygiene it works really well on her.
#
14
Be ready to catch up because girls can run you around.
#
15
Don't play games. It's a waste of time and gets a relationship headed in the wrong direction. If you start on something false, or something without substance, that is most likely where you will end up. Cute little flirting or teasing is okay, but never pretend to be someone you're not. If you think the girl is only in the relationship for one thing, and you're in it for another, don't just play along to keep her with you. Tell her what you're looking for and try and make her see what really counts.
#
16
Be sincere. Complements, flirting, teasing, carefulness, none of it matters unless you truly do care. If you don't then you shouldn't be reading this, nor will whatever girl you're trying to get ever be with you if you don't care.
#
17
Love her for her quirks. Everyone has something they don't like about the person they love, but if you have too many big things on that list, you need the boot. You need to love her for the things that make her special, for her uniqueness. Tell her so. For example "I love your freckles." A simple thing like that that you know she may be insecure about can really mean a lot to a girl.
#
18
If you are thinking something, tell her. If you can't decipher her signals or see where she is going with what she's doing/saying, tell her that. It's best just to get it out there, and see what she says. If you're unsure of what is going on, or how she's treating you, tell her that. If you get it out there right away, the problem can be fixed and the relationship can stay healthy.
#
19
Love who she is, inside and out. And show it.
#
20
Love her till your last breath