Tips for First Dates

If you’re nervous about the first date, relax- it’s only natural, and shows your enthusiasm for getting to spend time with him or her. Truth being told, your date is probably just as nervous as you are.

Picking the venue for your first date is one of the most important decisions you can make. Take a little time to think through your options and remember the main goal of your date- to get to know him or her better. Daytime activities are great low pressure alternatives to evening plans and all the insinuations that come along with it. Places like art galleries, museums, and zoos can give you plenty to look at and talk about. Planning a fun filled activity like going to an amusement park, racing go-karts, or taking a swing at a mini golf course will ensure neither of you are bored. If the weather permits, consider packing up a picnic, grabbing a blanket, and heading to a nearby park for a lazy afternoon of conversation- and don’t forget to pack a chilled bottle of wine! (But remember, if you do decide to consume alcohol during the date, try to keep the drinks at a minimum- it’s never a good impression to get wasted on a first date.)

Don’t get overwhelmed about filling the conversation with witty banter, impressive knowledge of world events or funny stories. While everyone likes a joke once in awhile, use the time to get to know the other person better. Since you don’t know much about your date, the topics to explore are endless! However, stay away from discussing heavy topics like politics, religion or old relationships- there will be time for that later as you get to know each other and feel more comfortable with one another.

Pay attention to your date- don’t allow yourself to zone out and think about the Cubs game last night or the presentation you have on Monday. Try to keep the conversation balanced, taking equal turns to talk and listen- no one likes a one man show. Remember your manners (thanks Mom!)- compliment your date on his or her appearance, open car and restaurant doors, and most importantly, thank the other person for the date. Not only will this emphasize your interest in your date, but it will also help him or her feel comfortable.

Wrapping up a first date can potentially be a little awkward, so having a clear ending time can help eliminate any of that lingering inability to say goodbye. If you enjoyed your time together, make sure your date knows your feelings, and even suggest an upcoming day for a second date. If you unfortunately didn’t feel a connection, politely say goodbye, and follow up with an email or phone call to explain that you do not see a future for you two.

As long as you’re armed with a positive attitude and self confidence, you’re set for a great first date!

How to Attract Hot Men

A big unanswered question among women is how to attract hot men. You enter a bar, club, restaurant or even coffee shop and you see girls with really cute, hot guys and you wonder “how did they make that happen?” These occurrences make you think that perhaps there is a little strategy to attracting hot men and those women must have some tips up their sleeves.

Be Confident and Cool
Believe it or not, the old adage that guys are intimidated by confident girls is a hoax. It’s the confident girls that aren’t afraid to go for that hot guy that actually get the guys. Not much is going to happen if you sit in a corner and chat with your girlfriends. You must make yourself known in the situation without being vain or arrogant. It’s the cool confidence and sparkling personality that attracts the hot men. Most hot men are confident as well, and they aren’t looking for someone who can’t hold their ground.

Make Smart Wardrobe Choices
Another misconception about attracting hot guys is that the skimpiest outfit will get you the most attention. It is true that it might get you the most attention, but perhaps not the kind you wanted. Be smart in your wardrobe choices. Hot guys are looking for that effortless, sexy style that is not overly inappropriate. A hot guy is not going to be seen with a girl that is embarrassing herself with her outfit. If you think you are showing too much, you probably are. The best outfit choices are the ones you feel hot in but also make you feel comfortable and would inhibit you from having a good time.

Be Yourself
There is nothing worse than giving off a first impression that is no reflection of who you really are as a person. Being yourself and staying true to who you are is attractive. Acting overly fake or in a manner that is outside of your personality will only damage your chances of meeting someone you really get along with.

Act Brave
Now that you’ve assembled the perfect outfit and are feeling confident, it’s time to be brave. You can’t always rely on that hot guy to approach you. If you really want to meet him, make it happen. Move your group of girls closer to him. Meet him at the bar when you see him heading towards it. Observe for awhile, and then make your move – you will be glad you did.

Plan the Ultimate Romantic Proposal

When a woman thinks of her engagement, she dreams of having the most romantic day of her life- with the exception of her wedding, of course. Fulfill those dreamy expectations with a romantic proposal that she will never forget! The key here is to plan out every aspect of your proposal to be as romantic as possible- we’re talking Hollywood-style romance! And that includes candles, flowers, chocolates, and any other way you can think of to set the mood.

Plan the perfect time to stage the proposal. You’ll want to make sure it’s an evening when she won’t feel rushed or exhausted, so try to avoid any high pressure work days. The ideal time would probably be on a Saturday, when the two of you would already have plans together. Get a girlfriend or two in on the act- ask them to plan an afternoon of shopping or other activity while you transform her apartment or bedroom into a fairytale setting.

Create a special playlist on your iPod for the big night- Tony Bennet, Nora Jones, John Legend, and Marvin Gaye have some classic love songs. Every woman loves roses. Visit your local florist and get as many bouquets as your budget allows- and don’t just stop with the typical red roses. Yellow, pink and even white roses make for a beautiful setting. Next stop is the candle store- Pier One and Target have a wide variety of scents available for a very affordable cost. Many women opt for vanilla-scented- they don’t overpower the room, instead providing a subtle lasting fragrance. While you’re on your shopping trip, don’t forget to pick up a box of chocolates (Godiva are always a safe bet!) and of course a bottle of champagne to celebrate her acceptance.

Now it’s time to set the stage. Arrange ahead of time for her landlord or neighbor to let you into her apartment- no one can resist a romantic proposal story, and most likely they have seen you around enough times to trust you’re not a crook! Hook up your iPod to play on her laptop or stereo, and select the playlist you created earlier. Next go through the apartment, scattering rose petals, lighting candles and placing the roses in a heart shape on her bed. Arrange for her friend to text you as they’re leaving their shopping trip. When you hear the door open, get ready- you’re about to experience the beginning of your life together.

One more thing- make sure you have a camera to document the evening- in thirty years from now, you’ll definitely want to remind of her of how romantic two were long ago!

How to Know When a Guy is Interested

Sometimes it’s hard to know when a guy is interested. As we know, men are not as open as women when it comes to their feelings, so it’s important to take a few subtle clues.

He Shows Interest
A sure sign that a guy is interested is he asks questions about you when you talk. He listens closely and keeps eye contact. If you are out with a group of your friends and a guy you are interested in talks with you most of the time and not with his guy buddies, this is a sign he is interested. In your conversation, if he smiles a lot and is inquisitive when you talk, he’s into you. Also, if you find that he is around you a lot – for instance, he shows up at your birthday party and stays the whole time, or tries to make plans just to hang out among you and your friends, he is interested.

He Reaches Out to You
A sure sign that a guy is interested is if he communicates with you regularly when there may be no reason. You find that he is emailing you to ask random questions or dropping you a text to say hi and see what you are up to. Women often wonder why guys don’t call them, when they think that he is interested. While guys are not usually phone talkers anyway, he may not be calling because he is not interested or maybe just wants to be friends. But on the flipside, if he does call you and reach out to you, it’s a clear signal he likes you.

He’s Happy Around You
When you are with the guy, does he seem really happy? Does he smile a lot and seem comfortable? If your answers are yes to these questions, he is interested in you. In addition to being happy around you, he may also say nice things and be actively interested in what’s going on in your life. These are all sure signs that he is into you and you can be clear that he is interested.

He Goes Out of His Way
If you find that this guy you have an eye on goes out of his way to hang out with you or do nice things, you are probably right to think he likes you. Maybe he goes out of his way to pick you up, or comes to see you but he knows he should be working. If he is making a conscious effort that is outside of his normal routine, you can be sure he likes you.

Tips to Show a Woman you are Interested

After talking with a woman for awhile you realize that you like her and want her to understand that you are interested. The conversation is going great, there is laughter, smiles and flirting and she seems interested too. But like everyone knows, this is when there is that awkward point where you are not quite sure what to do next to show her you are interested. In this situation, there are a few things you can do to show a woman you are interested.

Be Forward
Before you part with the woman, you must ask for her number. And better yet, instead of asking her out at a later time, ask her right then. As your conversation is winding down, go ahead and make plans to see her again. It is as simple as saying “I want to see you again,” or “Can we meet again?” or “Let’s meet up next week.” Then when you call her, you’ve already established that you want to meet up and this effort will show her you are interested.

Also, to show a woman you are interested don’t wait three days to call her. Reach out to her sooner – you are only giving her the wrong impression if you wait to call her. This action will only send her mixed messages after what she thought was a great conversation and good connection. You like the woman, why not call right away? Be forward and confident – you don’t want to pass up the opportunity to show someone you like that you are interested and want to see them again.

Listen and Engage
A good way to show a woman you are interested is to pay attention to her and be a good conversationalist and listener. Women value a deep conversation. And if they feel like you are engaged and listening, this is a sign to them that you are interested. For instance, say you are at a bar with a group of your guy buddies, but you have been talking to a woman you like. You are torn between rejoining your buddies or talking to her, but if you want to show her you are interested, stay with the woman. In addition, be an active listener, smile, be funny and ask questions. Keep eye contact, compliment her and perhaps causally try to get closer to her. These are all sure signals to show a woman you are interested in her.

Just remember, if you want to show a woman you are interested, be open and let her know your feelings. It can be as simple as asking to see the person again, or saying “I like your company.” Don’t be shy but instead be confident and not afraid to show a woman you are interested.