Let’s face it – dating can be a bit of a nightmare and as far as we know, no two dates are the same so how are we supposed to know if we are dating good or indeed dating bad? How does the way we conduct ourselves on a date affect our success levels? Being aware of the way you conduct yourself during the initial dating period can indicate a number of key points to your date – look at just some of our top good dating habits and ask yourself how you compare.
Dating Good
Smiling - This one’s is so obvious yet many people are so nervous on a date that they end up acting like they are in an interview or worst still, have lock-jaw. Smiling at your date indicates you are having a good time but of course there’s a limit and you should try not to grin like a madman or your date might think you’re a little bit rabid.
Asking questions – Ask open, not closed questions. Open questions are designed to extract more information and can help you gage the opinions of your date while closed questions such as those with yes/no answers will mean you have to work harder! Remember - you are on this date for a reason and that is to see if the person in front of you is going to make the grade. Give your date every opportunity to talk about himself so you can build a better picture of what might be in store later. Actively listening instead of talking about yourself too much will make your date think he’s the most interesting thing on the planet.
Compliments - everyone likes a compliment and well targeted compliments show you have taken time to notice of the person in front of you. Keep it simple and honest and refrain from going overboard otherwise you risk the chance of coming across a bit too keen and desperate. Start with the obvious (clothes, watch, man-type things) and progress to giving a compliment about something like how easy you find it is to talk with your date. Of course, if your date turns out to be a complete disaster and you want to get out quick, keep the compliments simple or you’ll never shake them off.
Flirting -Flirting on a date can make all the difference and adopting the less is more approach will ensure you don’t come across as a sex starved nymphomaniac. Use your date as your cue - is he flirting with you? How is he doing it? Knowing how your date flirts helps align you with where they are coming from. Has there been any flirty references while talking? The response is up to you – take their lead and see where it takes you. If it looks like your date is holding back, introduce a topic of conversation that opens itself up to double entendres and let the comic moments happen with minimum effort and embarrassment.
Dressing well – An obvious one but sadly, often done badly. Dress appropriately for the type of date you are on – exposing a Basque and fishnet stockings will send a message that you are clearly looking to have sex as soon as humanly possible. Again, adopt the ‘ less is more’ approach if you want to tempt your date with a ‘more to come’ appearance. After all – where’s the fun of the present if the wrapping has already come off?
Follow up – Many people advise against immediately contacting your date after a first meeting and recommend waiting until your date contacts you. What utter rubbish! You’ve not gone to all the trouble of finding something decent to wear/had your hair done/asking the nice Max factor man to do your make-up only to miss an opportunity by not indicating to your date that you are interested. If you are keen, make it known as there is nothing more frustrating than a woman who’s giving mixed signals. Remember, you are not the only woman on earth and if this man has arranged a date with you, there’s a pretty good chance that his ego is sufficiently inflated for him to make another – with someone else! Make your intentions known and you’ll know soon enough if it’s reciprocated. If not, move on, ship out and make a date with someone else.
Now you have some pointers, why not read Dating Bad and avoid becoming unstuck!
9RMOwN Wow! Great thinking! JK