Dating Advice

What? Me giving dating advice? Yes. Just a few little tips for the men in the Cincinnati area. And I do know I am not the easiest person to date. I'm not naturally outgoing and bubbly and exciting. I need time to get to know people and warm up to them. But I can still give advice.

When you ask a girl out on a date, make an effort to plan something. Maybe you think you're being really thoughtful to agree to do whatever she wants, but really, put some effort into it. I'm not saying you should dictate the evening, but at least make some suggestions. "Would you like to go ___?" "Do you like___?" Don't show up at her door and then throw the whole evening into her lap to decide everything. And "I'm not familiar with this area of town" is not an excuse. Read the newspapers, get on the internet. Ask her, before hand, to suggest a restaurant. After dinner, again, its no excuse that you don't know what is in the neighborhood. You can at least suggest activities. Do you want to go for a drink or for coffee? See a movie or a show? Listen to music or go dancing? Have ideas! Make suggestions! We don't think the best answer is, "I don't know," or "It's up to you. Whatever you want." If she asks for your input, have some input to give! Otherwise, she may be forced to find out where her friends are that night, and then "bump into" them.

However, your plan, your ideas or suggestions should not include going back to her place with a bottle of wine. Especially on the first date!!!! If she wants you there, she will suggest it. Unless you are Andrew Dan Jumbo (TLC's Take Home Handyman) or Brad Pitt, don't invite yourself back to her place! On the first date! (Of course, if you are Andrew or Brad, you probably won't even leave her place.)

Now I'm trying to think of somewhere to take the next clueless date I find myself with. Somewhere very offbeat and strange. If he can't even give me a clue as to where we should go next, I want to take him somewhere where he'll be uncomfortable. That's what he gets for not having any thoughts about how to have an entertaining evening, besides hanging out at my place.