The Top 10 Tips for First Dates

Here is a list for the boys. There is a saying that “you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” With that in mind, it is vital to be fully prepared to make a great impression on each date you go on. Here are 10 tips for men on dating success and making an impression that will last.

1. Pay

Pay for everything. Don’t mention splitting the bill. If the lady suggests paying part of the bill do not accept the offer. If she insists, allow her to pay what she wishes (this is not just a rule for dating). You will be the best judge at the time whether your date is only insisting because she feels obliged.

2. Location

No movies on the first date. How can you get to know each other if you spend the majority of the time in silence? I would recommend taking your date out for dinner (no lunch dates on the first date either). Take her somewhere you feel comfortable and somewhere you can easily afford. You don’t want to be nervous all through the date that you might get stuck with a crippling bill. If price is a big concern for you, you can organize your own date in a public place (like a park or even at your own home) and prepare the meal yourself. If you can’t cook, takeaways are fine, but serve it on plates at the table and try to make an effort.

I would also suggest that you not go too overboard with the first date. Keep it simple and moderately priced. You can get extravagent on subsequent dates if things go well.

3. Manners

First off, if you are going to dinner, read the Rules for Fine Dining list; try to remember at least one or two. When you pick up your date, get out of the car and hold the door open for her. Do the same when you are letting her out of the car. If you are dining out for your first date, hold the chair out for your date and help her sit.

Don’t be late.

4. Respect

That means not to expect anything in return! A date is not payment for future pleasures, it is a way to get to know someone to gauge compatibility. This rule also means you should not try to get your date drunk, drugged, or compromised in any other way. At the end of the date you can offer a small kiss - offer nothing else and expecting nothing back.

5. Confidence

Be confident and take charge of the evening. This does not mean you should drag your date around by the arm; be firm with your suggestions and be confident that you will have a good date and make a good impression - remember, if you were a total loser you wouldn’t be on the date in the first place.

6. Grooming

Dress appropriately for your date, and you should probably let your date know where you are planning to take her in advance so she can also dress appropriately. If you are going to the beach for a seaside dinner, dress nicely (no jeans) but don’t overdress. Similarly, if you are going to a fancy restaurant, wear a shirt and tie. Make sure your shoes are clean and polished if necessary.

Shower. Shampoo. Shave. If you have cologne, wear a little but not too much.

7. Conversation

Do not focus on yourself during the evening - ask your date questions about herself (this works in all social situations). Listen to the replies too and don’t just look for an opening to start discussing yourself. Do not talk about your job for more than a few minutes - while our own work is a fascinating subject for us, it is seldom fascinating for someone else. Be sure to compliment your date - but don’t go overboard - you will seem desperate.

Do not ever talk about dates you have had with other people or your ex-girlfriends.

8. Timing

Don’t let your date last too long. Think of it like a good meal - you should finish your plate feeling like you want just a little more. This is the best time to finish a date. This also means that you should not plan for the date to be too far from home otherwise the travel can ruin things.

9. Gifts

It can be a very nice idea to give your date a small gift on the first date. Don’t go crazy on something expensive - just a nice little token like a single rose is fine. Keep in mind where you are going and how you plan to get there so your date does not end up being lumbered with something that she has to carry around all night. Oh - and don’t pick the rose from your dates garden - buy one.

10. Conclusion

If you enjoyed your time with your date and would like to see her again, call her and tell her so. Don’t wait too long (and definitely don’t play hard to get). Be completely honest. Having said that, if you had an awful time, you should still be honest (though not brutal). There is no point in leading someone on - it will end up badly for both of you.

Thanks to ListVerse.com

The Top 10 Dating Mistakes for Men

Do your girlfriends often tell you that they’re not ready for a serious relationship after only one month of dating? Do you always hear the excuse that they are too into their work or need more time to themselves? Just to let you know, you should never believe that old "it’s not you, it’s me" line, because, to be honest, it is ALWAYS you. However, the good news is that the majority of men seem to make all of the same dating mistakes, so review the following list and take a moment to honestly reflect on what you’re doing to turn women off.

1) Expecting your girlfriend to take care of you. Although it’s creepy to think about, men really do look for girlfriends who remind them of their mothers. With this comes the expectation of nurturance, which causes men to believe that a good girlfriend will take care of them they way their mother did. A woman may embrace this role temporarily, but once she becomes your long-term girlfriend, cooking and cleaning for you is going to seem like indentured servitude to her, not a component of a healthy relationship.

2) Being bad in bed. A lot of men make the mistake of not showing enough interest in their partners’ sexual needs. Many women slowly become uninterested in sex over time because they are simply not getting their needs met. At least 70% of women cannot reach climax from vaginal penetration alone, so if that’s the only thing on the menu, you can pretty much assume that your girlfriend or wife is not going to sleep satisfied. Communicate to your partner that her enjoyment is just as, if not more, important than your own, and encourage her to share what works for her during masturbation. Then - and this is important! - be willing to try out her ideas. Trust me, if she is genuinely enjoying the sex you two are having, then it will be much better for both of you.

3) Acting too immature. There are certain hobbies that all men hold on to into their adulthood, including baseball, farting, and hocking lugies. While these behaviors may be appropriate at a football tailgate, your girlfriend is not likely to be impressed if you try them on a date. Women want to date men they can marry and coparent with, so just try to clean up your act a bit when you’re around her.

4) Hitting on women in the wrong places. I am just not a fan of hitting on women while they are running their Saturday errands. Most women would rather not be bothered while they are trying to pick up a carton of milk. If you notice that a woman seems interested in you or strikes up a conversation, then by all means pursue the relationship, especially if you find yourself repeatedly bumping into her. Otherwise, it’s better to save your advances for a more welcoming environment.

5) Being too insecure. I know that you’ve heard this over and over, but I’ll say it again: the key to successful dating is confidence. If approach a woman at a bar and she seems quiet, she may just be surprised and nervous that a man is actually talking to her. If you’ve tried initiating conversation and it seems to be failing, keep yourself available to her by standing by her for a few minutes after the conversation peters out. If she’s interested, she’ll eventually start a new conversation to prevent you from leaving. Just don’t give up right away if your advances don’t seem to be working, because confidence and perseverance can be a major turn on for women.

6) Smothering her. Sometimes, men are so ecstatic to have actually gotten the girl of their dreams, all they can think about is the possibility of losing her. They then try to overcompensate by asking her on dates every night of the week and calling her 20 times a day (i.e. the movie Good Luck Chuck). In my experience, this always has the reverse affect, and chances are she’ll probably change her contact information just to get away from you. Remember the golden rule of dating: we are attracted to that which we cannot have. The less available you are, the more she’ll want you (to a point, at least).

7) Not practicing good hygiene. Have you ever wondered why your girlfriend is suddenly in the mood right after you get out of the shower? Your body may release certain "odors" throughout the day that turn her off, and these are only magnified when clothes come off and bodies come into contact. Even if you are a generally clean person, putting in a little extra effort before initiating sex can go a long way when it comes to romancing your partner.

8) Not giving online dating services a shot. The best thing about online dating websites is that the give you the chance to get to know a woman before actually meeting her. Take advantage of online matching systems and weed out women that you know have deal breakers. Consider using a professional, respected site like eHarmony if you’re serious about your search, and you’ll have hundreds of potential partners within minutes.

9) Flirting the wrong way. As a general rule, you should try to keep flirtatious conversations upbeat by talking about hobbies or events that you enjoy. If you complain, bash your ex, or put down her interests, your interaction with her will eventually take on an overall negative tone, which is obviously not the impression you want to make. If you discover as the conversation goes on that she’s not your type after all, gracefully bow out of the situation by taking a trip to the men’s room and reappearing in a different part of the room. Just remember to keep your cool and act confident, whether you actually feel that way or not.

10) Being too boring. Women want to be with men who are successful, independent, and adventurous. If your only plans on a Friday night are to wait for her phone call, she will quickly tire of being the exciting one in the relationship. Women want a man who has something to offer and can take charge once in a while. You should have enough going on in your life so that she isn’t the sole source of entertainment. Otherwise, she’ll move on to someone who can give her what she needs.

Katrianna is a staff writer and reviewer for dating sites reviewed, a popular dating blog.

Top 10 Dating Tips

I thought I would bring you the top 10 dating tips I have gathered along the way in the hope of assisting and enlightening those who need assistance. If you are new to the dating scene, a regular or just simply someone trying to meet someone new there should always be time for top dating tips, advice, information and things to consider. None of us are dating experts otherwise we would have a magic formula to present to others. And no, looks are not the magic formula otherwise all supermodels would be blissfully happy - which they are not my friend. Good looking people the world over struggle when it comes to affairs of the heart. Think of all the major figures in history who have fallen in matters of romance.

The truth is, there are no magic formulas, no perfect tricks of the trade, no cunning ways of trapping Mr. or Miss Right and no top dating tips that wave a magic wand. But there are some essential facts that you should always bear in mind along the way. Dating tips are just that - tips, they are not promises written in stone and different things will always work differently for different people. However, I have noticed that there are some threads of advice that keep cropping up and therefore it is worth reiterating my top 10 tips here.

My Top 10 Dating Tips

• Get prepared for dating. If you really want to succeed in the dating game, decide who you are looking for, do your research and be ready to commit to dating. Half heartedness won't work. Also prepare for some let downs along the way but don't take dating too seriously either.

• Get your act together. Begin a regime of looking your best. Join a gym, read health magazines, get fit and start a diet. Get your hair cut or styled and begin a new regime of good grooming or beauty treatment. Though it will not find you a date in itself, you will feel a million times more confident about yourself.

• Go shopping and treat yourself to new clothes and even a whole new look. Get your image right, one that you can manage and live with, but one that flatters you. Don't go overboard and look like someone you are not but maybe its time to throw out those tired jeans, old sweaters or cardigans and spruce yourself up. People appreciate appearance.

• Have a good think about what your dating goals are and timescales. Do you see yourself married within 2 years? If you do then approach dating accordingly. If you are more laid back and don't take dating too seriously then ask yourself some honest questions about why you are dating and what you hope to achieve. If it is purely sex then ask yourself if you are about to be honest with those you hope to date.

• Sort out your confidence levels in advance. By following the first four tips you will feel better and be more focused. Do all the things that will boost your confidence from avoiding negative friends (often the married ones) to attending the right kind of social functions. Couples at dinner parties in suburbia is not necessarily where you need to be right now.

• Choose those you have a good chance of dating, don't aim low but do aim realistically. In other words, your dating is based on the whole package you present as well as just your personality. If you are looking for a glamour girl or boy and want to date someone trendy and gorgeous then good for you, but be prepared and be realistic about your chances.

• Work out in advance where in your neighborhood you are likely to meet people and join clubs, societies, sports events, drama groups, anything where you are likely to meet potential partners. The kind of partners you are looking for. I know its a cliché but you will not meet people by staying indoors.

• Take time off from dating occasionally if its not going well or causing dating fatigue. Dating is an ongoing process and so recharging the batteries and keeping the confidence and optimism levels high is an absolute must. So date in phases if necessary.

• Enjoy dating for what it is, dating. It is meeting people and socializing and spending time in the company of stimulating individuals who may or may not bring you a sparkle. The fact is, most people are interesting and whilst you may not be out there looking for new friends, you may well find one or two fabulous people along the way.

• Never ever make yourself too available. People like mystery and enigma and the thrill of the chase when dating. In keeping with this do not sleep with your dates early on if you want them to progress, so keep sex until later. The longer a person is made to chase and fall for you within reason, the more likely that love may blossom. Peak too early and you have little left to offer and emotions may never have had the time to develop.