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Recently I wrote an article, which I hope helped you, in your search for something to do on that awkward first date. Then it dawned on me that maybe I should have followed up that information with a list of things NOT to do on a first date. So guys here it is:

The Men’s Guide of Things Never to do on a First Date.

1. Don’t be late. Of course we would understand if something happened out of your control which caused you to be late. If that’s the case just give us a quick call or text so that we know we are not being stood up and that you are ok. If you are a bit late, don’t inundate us with excuse after excuse. Apologize and move on!

2. Don’t dress the wrong way. I know women can be a bit catty when it comes to how her date is dressed. Guys, just dress for the activity of the date…don’t overdress don’t underdress. Make sure you are on the same page with your date on what you are doing so she knows what to wear. It can be a bit uncomfortable if we are dressed up and you show up in jeans and a t-shirt. On a side note guys, I recently read an interesting article in the Journal of Experimental Psychology that I thought might help you. The article stated that a recent study found that the color red makes men appear more powerful, attractive and sexually desirable to women. Hmmmm….maybe a red tie or a red shirt, just a thought.

3. Don’t forget to get to know her. In other words, don’t talk about yourself all night long! Honestly guys, this is the biggest turn-off and will destroy your chances of a second date. Lure her into a conversation about her hobbies, likes and dislikes, but stay away from sensitive questions involving religion or politics. Within a few moments I’m sure you will find some similarities you have and just go from there.

4. Don’t talk about old relationships. We all have exes and they are exes for a reason. Keep any reference or comment of an old flame out of the conversation. We are there to get to know you not your old girlfriend. Bringing her up in conversation will only indicate to us that you still have feelings for her. However, if your date questions you about a previous relationship, keep you comments genuine and short. This will let us know that you are over her and are ready to move on.

5. Don’t be rude. There is nothing worse than being on a date with a guy who can’t put his phone down. Do not take phone calls, return texts or answer emails while on a date! Guys, your date deserves your attention…be a respectable listener and you will gain her respect quickly.

6. Don’t forget your manners. Common courtesy, opening the door, helping with her coat, will signify that you are a gentleman. Such small actions will impress her in a big way…especially because her last date probably didn’t do it! A little compliment once in a while, telling her how nice she looks etc., is essential. Sadly, the days of chivalry have gone to the wayside. Let’s bring it back, guys.

Obviously, I can’t guarantee that abiding by this list will automatically win you that greatly desired second date. However, I can tell you that if you keep the date fun and light hearted your chances are magnified. Good Luck and Happy Dating!

Related articles

• Blind Date (pinkbananaworld.com)
• Advice on first dates (thedatingpapers.com)
• A New Type of Chivalry, That I’m Not Falling For. (abbeyswihart.wordpress.com)
• Dating advice: The Dating Game (independent.co.uk)
• Dating Disasters &Ndash; Things to Avoid on a First Date (socyberty.com)

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Hi Gentlemen! First let me begin by saying that I am extremely excited to be a part of the Man Certified family.You guys are fortunate to have a website specifically catering to the needs of the male gender. My objective is to help you guys out with the female gender or as we like to call ourselves “Divas”. Although it seems that our male counterparts deem us “impossible” to get along with, I will give you honest advice so that we can play “nice” with each other and have meaningful relationships.

Having said that, let’s begin with our first topic of discussion…

“Where not to Take a Woman on a First Date”

1) Bar/Nightclub.  Although the local bar/nightclub might sound like a good idea, it’s really a poor choice. Primarily because of whom you might run into. An ex, either yours or hers, can really cause havoc on your date, especially if they are not over the relationship yet. You may also run into a friend who will sit with you and talk the night away. There goes your opportunity to get to know your date. And of course there is the dreaded drunk dude who may hit on your date. It’s your first date, can you honestly tell the drunkard “Leave her alone, she’s my girlfriend!” That puts both of you in an uncomfortable position. First dates are awkward to begin with why add injury to insult.

2) Dinner. So cliché guys! But if you must have a dinner date, just be careful where you take her. Mexican food is not good on anyone’s digestive tract and eating at a place that requires the use of only your hands is taboo! Ladies don’t want to watch you eat like a caveman ripping meat off the bone. Nor do we want greasy fingers on our clothes as you help us with our coat…remember your manners men!

3) Movie/Play. The big problem with a movie/play is the fact that there will be absolutely no interaction for two or three hours. Sitting next to a stranger whom you know nothing about equals awkward and boring.

4) A Family Party. Huge no-no! We all know how much you guys love your moms but this is a date that should be saved for later on in your relationship. No doubt your date will be bombarded with questions including the ever embarrassing, “How long have you been dating?” Keep your date away from the humiliation and boredom of family functions early on in your relationship.

5) Sporting Events. This totally depends on your date. Obviously there are some women who have absolutely no desire to sit through a game of any sort. In this instance, come up with another place to go. However, more and more woman are becoming sports fans and would enjoy taking in a baseball game. But guys please watch your alcohol intake and if your team loses, watch your attitude. Ladies don’t like drunken sore losers.

And lastly, never take her to the beach on the first date. Being with a stranger is odd enough. But then to ask them to be half naked can really make for an uncomfortable situation. Use you creativity guys and above all just be yourselves and have fun!

Related articles

• Dating the second time around (cnn.com)
• How To Survive A Blind Date Dinner (mademan.com)
• Second Date Advice (mademan.com)
• Social Minefield: How To Have A Great First Date [Social Minefield] (jezebel.com)
• Subverting My Attraction to Negative Passive People (ask.metafilter.com)

Perhaps you have met someone while on your travels, or made a connection (although long distance) with someone online; relationships can be hard to make and maintain when you are not together so here are a few tips to help you keep the flame going.

Obviously in person time with your new interest is going to be limited in long distance relationships so you need to stay in touch; try some extra time talking on the phone, texting or even video chatting. Make sure to ask plenty of questions so that you can get to know more about their interests, work, friends, travels and their life in general and then be sure to share your details as well so that you will have things to talk about.

Body language, what the other person doesn’t say, is a big part of relationships; since this is absent most of the time in a long distance romance you will have to depend on reading between the lines so to speak. This means paying attention to those slight nuances in the other forms of communication that you are using; like pay attention to the way that they phrase things, the inflection of their voice when on the phone and try to determine what their mood is as well as what they are trying to say.

During a persons travels it is very easy for things to become misconstrued as it is very hard to really gauge someone’s emotions and intentions from behind the computer screen or over the telephone which is one reason that you should opt for video chatting as much as possible. If something seems to produce and emotional response in you be sure to ask for clarification before you jump to any conclusions. Texting and chatting definitely help keep relationships going but they can leave the inflections and emotion behind.

If you are like most people that are in relationships the more that you like someone the more time that you want to spend with them; however, depending upon your travels and budget it is not always possible to get together. Try to make plans as often as you can to get together, considering both of your schedules and budget; long distance romances can quickly extinguish so keep the sparks going by getting together as much as possible.

In order for a relationship to be happy and healthy you need to be able to find different ways of keeping things fresh and interesting. So if have been feeling like you have just been going through the motions there are some things that you can do to spice everything up a bit.

Try breaking the rules every so often, for example, instead of waiting for two days after a date to call her call earlier and surprise her or even wait a little bit longer, just keep her guessing. And if you want to be sure that she always wants more try planting a big hot kiss on her and then just end the night. This actually serves two different purposes: the first is that it keeps you definitely on her mind and since you are the one ending both the kiss and evening it tends to make her want more.

Try not to make yourself too available in the relationship; in other words if she says something about getting together on Saturday try suggesting Friday, or if she says Saturday suggest Sunday or Monday. Now don’t do this on a consistent basis or you may find yourself without a date permanently. But it never hurts to give the impression of having a good social life; even if you really don’t it still keeps her on her toes.

If you are always eating at the places she likes and suggests then try taking control and suggesting a different restaurant. However, that does not mean to pick a place you know that she hates the idea is not for you to be inconsiderate, but to be assertive.

Try to have a night out with the guys instead of letting her plan the week; this will let her know that you do have other people in your life and it makes her wonder exactly what you do on those nights out with the guys. A little dose of jealousy in a relationship never hurts.
Basically just try to keep a fun and healthy balance of the old give and take in your relationship. Once that balance has been achieved things will be a lot more interesting.