Spiritual Dating Tips for the Consciously Aware

Do Guys like it when a woman makes the first move?

If you're already in a relationship with a guy, the answer is yes, men love it when the woman makes the first move. It's exciting, makes the man feel wanted and allows him to express himself more confidently as things progress. If, however, you're at the beginning of a relationship that hasn't gotten physical yet, the answer is no -- if you put your arm around him and then lean in for the kiss, it will weird him out.

The thing is, it almost never happens. Even the most sexually aggressive woman isn't usually making a move per se; she's just making it very clear that she wants the guy to. But do guys like that? Definitely. In fact, they lie awake at night dreaming about it.

But Mr. Answer Man knows what you're thinking: "I thought I was making it really clear!" Sometimes men are dense -- here are five ways to enlighten them:

1. Invite him in. A beverage makes the best excuse: "Would you like to come in for a ... "

2. Touch him. On the forearm with your hand is easiest, but on the upper arm with your breast is better. Also, the closer you can comfortably sit or stand, the better.

3. Shower him with approval. Laugh at his jokes. Look him in the eyes and smile. Respond positively to the things he says. Men find all these things encouraging.

4. If the conversation lulls, let it. Guys generally get silent before they bust a move -- don't chase the moment away.

5. Ask a totally provocative question. How are you at foot rubs? Are you a good kisser? What time do you have to get up? You get the idea ...

Romantic Moves that won't make you Gag

BY CARA BIRNBAUM (from Cosmopolitan)

How do you shower your guy with heartfelt affection without making him head for the hills? Cosmo grilled tons of men (spanning the spectrum of sensitivity) to find out the tender, sweet, but not-too-sappy ways to melt their hearts.

You adore your man. You know it, and he knows it. Still, you want to drive the point home. But can you lavish the big lug with romantic vibes without setting off his anti-sap meter? The even bigger question: Do men even care about romance? Hell, yeah. Cosmo discovered that even the most macho dudes will warm up if you hone in on the kinds of gestures that get to them. "Boiled down, romance is the expression of love," says Greg Godek, author of 1001 Ways to Be Romantic. "But since men don't usually go for the traditional hearts-and-frills stuff that women do, you need to think more creatively."

If that sounds like more brain work than you bargained for, relax. We rounded up scores of men and got them to reveal what romantic stuff a girl can do to make them weak-kneed...and have them dying to return the favor!

2. "One girl called my mom for the recipe I loved as a kid, then surprised me with my favorite cornflake-battered chicken for dinner one night."
--Howard, 23

9. "If I'm up late working, my fiancee will bring me a little bowl of ice cream on her way to bed. It's usually not something I was thinking about but love, which proves how well she knows me."
--Chris, 29

12. "Theresa once taped a good-morning message and slipped it into my car's cassette deck at night so I'd hear it on my way to work that morning."
-- Leon, 27

21. "I was vacationing at the beach with my girlfriend last year. I woke up one morning to go for a swim and found my name spelled out in seashells on the sand."
--Dan, 27

26. "Tell me what an amazing time you had after a date. It may seem obvious, but guys are way more insecure than even we like to think."
--Liam, 24

29. "A girl at my gym -- who I thought would never give me the time of day -- left a note on the treadmill that simply said 'I have a crush on you.' Now that we're living together, we have it framed in our bathroom."
--Rob, 25

31. "Cook me the kind of dinner at your place that you'd get in a fancy restaurant. Do the whole candlelight thing -- and let me enjoy it in my jeans and T-shirt."
--Frank, 26

34. "Think of a nickname...a really good one. My girlfriend knows mushy stuff irks me, but I love that she calls me Tumbleweed -- and the best part is, no one but the two of us knows why."
-- Tyler, 28

37. "Make me coffee in the morning, just the way I like it: strong, plain (none of that flavored crap), two sugars, and a little bit of real milk. It's nurturing and simple but totally appreciated."
--Max, 28

44. "Teri and I email at work constantly, but one day, she sent me a love letter -- as in snail mail. It made my day."
--Bob, 28

5 Things you should never Tell a Guy

In the realm of male-female communication, there are certain topics most of us recognize as single-sex only. We'll spare you the details about the comeback the Jets made, and you spare us the details about Ethan, the ex who was so well-hung his penis had a nickname for him. This approach ensures that nobody gets bored, and nobody gets pissed off.

But love isn't that simple. Fact is, there are other, less obvious subjects that men wish you'd reserve for your girlfriends. If you're wooing a guy, never bring up the following five "turnoff topics:"

Turnoff topic 1: All the cute things your pet does.

We think of pets as noble beasts, as partners in adventure. Which makes it disturbing when you start talking baby talk to them. "Nipsy, wipsy. Your mommy loves you, oh, yes she does." Coddling a pet makes men suspect that your ideal companion is completely dependent upon you for food, lets you dress him up in colorful wool sweaters, and can be castrated if he starts acting too frisky.

Turnoff topic 2: Your belief in alternative medicine.

I was talking to a woman at a bar recently, and we were really connecting ... until she started telling me about visits to her vitaminologist. "He told me I had happiness stuck in my bladder." No matter how important you may feel it is to share your spiritual side, remember: When you tell us about your experiences with aromatherapy, reflexology, or crystals, all we hear is unstable, unstable, unstable.

Turnoff topic 3: How impressed you are with what others make.

I was out with my best friend, Greg, who goes to law school. We met one girl who started assessing the crowd: "Oh, my God, there are so many law-school guys here tonight. You know, in their first year out of school they make $119,000!"

You don't have to convince us that you're oblivious to material possessions. But ogling a man's paycheck -- ours or somebody else's -- makes us feel like you're attaching our worth to our wallets. And we know there's always going to be someone out there with deeper pockets than ours.

Turnoff topic 4: How beautiful the scenery is.

When confronted by natural beauty, men prefer to contemplate it in silence. Women, for some reason, feel compelled to talk at just the moment when we most want quiet. I spent a week on a Mediterranean island with a group that included four women who never met a sunset they couldn't ruin. ("That pink is so deep. I think it's, like, the deepest pink I've ever seen.") They failed to get the joke when my friends and I tried to give them a taste of their own medicine: "Look at that water! It's just, like, so wet."

Turnoff topic 5: Who your favorite celebrities are dating.

Demi and Bruce break up/make up; Oprah gains/loses 20 pounds. We don't care. Pamela Lee opens her mouth real wide and accommodates all of Tommy's manhood? Okay, we care. As a rule of thumb, unless they're naked, we don't want to know. Men have far too hard a time keeping up with their own relationships; the last thing we want is the responsibility of keeping up with the lives of people we'll never meet.

How to get a better Response from your ad

Placing an ad in our site is free; however, it shouldn't be done off the cuff.

Successful online dating starts with the first moment someone sees your profile. It's the most important moment in online dating.

Each ad should be well thought out and reflect just what you are seeking. Be honest and straight-forward. Don't lie to the members of the site and pretend that you are someone that you are not, because someone looking for who you really are will miss you! This wastes your time and everyone else’s.

A picture is worth a thousand words. The ads of people who submit pictures get approximately 12 times the hits of those without pictures. You do not have to submit a picture with your ad, but it might be worth considering. At SinglesCrowd, we give you the opportunity to upload several large images and one preview image with your ad.

When you receive a response to your ad, it is either going to spark your interest, or not interest you at all. Even if the e-mail doesn't light your fire, it is always common courtesy to send a response, even if it is to say "Thanks, but no thanks." After all, this person was interested enough in you to send you an email, so take it as a compliment and send back an acknowledgement that the email was received. If the email does light your fire, then respond to it and enjoy!

Responding to an Ad

When you are searching our database, you need to realize that not everyone will be responding and not everyone will be interested in what you have to offer. So it is a good idea to respond to more than one ad at once. There can be a certain feeling out process to make sure this is a right rendezvous for all parties. While it can work, don't go overboard with your first email. Unless specifically asked, don't go into long tirades about what a good lover you are and what you will do with him/her/them when you meet. Try and introduce yourself and let the advertisers know a little bit about you. Just as someone putting in an ad should submit a picture, so should you send a picture when you respond to the ad.

Once you receive a response to your email it is time to start giving more information. This may be a good time to talk on the phone to get a better feel for the person. Then, when you feel comfortable, it is time for the meeting.

Meeting your Date

The first meeting is a big step. This should be fun, but also bear in mind that safety is an issue. That is why we recommend that the initial meeting be at a public place and either during the lunch hour or right after work. If things go well, you can arrange for an immediate, more intimate setting, or you can schedule one at a more convenient time and place.

Common Courtesy

This should be the norm, but unfortunately this sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. The first thing to remember is that NO MEANS NO. Just because you meet doesn't not mean that he/she/they have to like you and want to take things further. Things may change after a face-to-face meeting, so if the other party wants to break it off, do so. This is not a personal insult. Just smile, accept it and go on to the next one.

If you are invited to the other party's home, remember that you are a guest. You don't live there. Dress appropriately for the situation, bring a gift, don't put your feet up on the coffee table, etc. Just because you are entering into a possible relationship doesn't mean you have to be an idiot. Good manners go a long way in breaking through those first-time jitters. If you respect the other party, just as you would at work or school, you will do fine, and you will never lack new dating opportunities. Word gets around, and the fools suffer while the good ones are in high demand!

How you present your self in a date is not just on the looks and the moves, but also on how you talk. A good conversationalist presents his or her personality and intelligence towards the date. However, starting a conversation with someone you have just met is not always easy. Here's our guide to making contact and some tips on taking things further.


People like to be flattered – Try to pick something unique about them and bring it up in the conversation. This would grab their interest and give them something to talk about when they reply. For instance, “I see that you have a great taste for Italian wine. I love wine. Do you know that they have a good selection of wine here?”

Make the person laugh – Whether in the pub or online, humor is a great icebreaker. Use it to bring a smile to their face and let them know that you are fun to be with.

Be interested – Listen to what the other person says about himself or herself, barging in to prevent your date to talk too much. This also applies to you, as you are not supposed to rattle about yourself too much.

Give compliments – Do not be afraid to use compliments to win over your potential mate. However, do not overdo it as too much is not good.

Plan the next step – If you decide that you want to take things further, it's time to ask for a phone number. Remember to keep safety in mind. If the person doesn't feel comfortable giving you his or her pone number, you could suggest giving yours.

In dating, being yourself is not enough. Like how animals show off towards the opposite sex during mating season, humans also tend to show certain actions to indicate that they are attracted towards another person. This is the art of flirting, and you don't have to be a movie star-look a like to make the guys (or girls) go gaga.

For women, the key is to look approachable enough for men to feel comfortable in taking a risk. Meanwhile, men should showcase their masculinity. Here are the essential flirting techniques that you should take note.

Smile – This is the most basic, and absolutely the most effective tool, of flirting. Psychology and body language experts agree that one of the most important things you can do to make yourself more attractive is to show off those whites. Although normal smiling can do wonders, singles usually smile wider when flirting. If a lady locks eyes and smiles at a guy for more than three times in an evening, chances are that she's interested.

Eye contact – We tend to look into the eyes of people we are attracted with, as it is a universal sign of openness. An effective way for a woman to make use of eye contact is to lock eyes with the person she's flirting with for about five to six seconds, then smile and drop her gaze. Remember that looking at his eyes is different from staring at them. This technique involves smoldering, come-hither looks. Do this stare-and-look-away technique at least three times in a ten to fifteen minute-period so that they would send a message to a guy that it is him you're flirting with.

Preening – We tend to preen or groom ourselves subconsciously when we're attracted to someone either by smoothing down our hair or clothes, checking our lipstick in a compact, or straightening a tie. Try combining a groom gesture with a smile and a gaze. Women should also toss their hair to one side. Not only does it suggest grooming, but also exposes their neck.

Red lips – Men and women are subconsciously attracted to red, moist lips because they signal youth, sex, and fertility. The color red has been known to increase a man's heart rate. For women, wearing a red lipstick is a must. Not only it gives the lips that youthful color, but also makes the smile more visible and your teeth whiter. Adding a coat of super-shiny lip gloss makes the lips look moist and kissable. Meanwhile, men can also put on some lip gloss or try licking their lips (make it subtle as to avoid being misinterpreted) or biting the lower lip.

Women crossing their legs – Crossing and uncrossing the legs is another surefire flirting technique for women, especially if they are wearing high heels. The act of crossing the legs is quite seductive to men, as it makes them desire to see more. Another seduction trick using the legs involve s slipping a heel out of one shoe and dangling it on the toes. The arch of the foot sends a sexual message and mimics a woman's curves.

Women showing off their neck – One of the most effective flirting technique a woman can use is to expose her neck. This is done in different ways, from tilting the head to one side, flipping the hair, or glancing over the shoulder.

Men squaring their shoulders – Women are attracted to more dominant men, so men should stand tall with their shoulders back. For men who have always touted as the “nice guy” or appear to be too submissive to attract women, try wearing bulkier or more conservative hairstyles and clothing. Hold the head up, speak a little faster, and make gestures more assertive.


Men showing off their social status – Men assert themselves when they flirt with women. Not only do they correct their posture, but they also push the assertiveness a little further by showing their social status by, for instance, showing-off cash, speaking about their occupation, and displaying their car.

Feet placement – Subtly make yourself a safe and approachable target. Women should stand with their feet no farther than 6 inches apart with toes pointed slightly inward to make them approachable. Meanwhile, men should appear more dominant by standing with the feet 6 to 10 inches apart with toes pointed outward.

Mimicking – People mirror each other's body language when they are attracted with similar gestures, voice volume, etc. Try subtly mimicking your flirting target's behavior. For instance, if she leans forward, you lean forward as well. Mirroring someone's behavior makes your potential date feel as though the two of you are connected and in-tune.

Deepening the attraction – Once you and your flirting target have started talking, fortify your flirting to deepen the attraction. Smile and maintain eye contact as they are speaking, and focus all of your attention on what they are saying. Nod in approval to signal that you're listening to what the other person has to say. Smile or laugh at the right time to put your potential date at ease. Another flirting technique while talking is low-level touching like bushing the shoulder or elbow.

If you get yourself a first date—especially from someone you knew before—the first thing that you should consider is how to make it so good that your date would want to see you on a second date. However, it doesn't take too much stress to prepare about it. Remember that a date is all about knowing the other person better and treating him or her with respect. Check out our list to see what you should consider.

Choose the right outfit – Wearing provocative or inappropriate clothing risk making the wrong impression. Although your date may be familiar to you, your revealing or flashy dress could mean that you are trying too hard to impress him or her. Wear clothes that are appropriate to the venue, and at the same time your date would be familiar with.

Do not wear too much perfume – Just because you still couldn't smell the perfume from your body doesn't mean that you don't have enough of it. Apply the perfume on your pulse points such as behind the ears and on the wrists, and you're ready to go.

Consider to meet at a public place – Even if you are dating someone you know, it is best to meet him or her at a public place such as a park or a restaurant. A public place provides safety and security.

Prepare a plan – If you are familiar with your date, you should have an idea of his or hers likes and dislikes. Create a list of activities that you and your date would both love to do. Why reserve a table at an expensive restaurant if you date prefers to have a picnic by the park? Also, don't forget about your date's eating habits and allergies, or previous injuries when considering a physical activity such as football passing.

Men should still practice chivalry – We may be living in a new century, but men should still take care of women. He should open doors for women, pull the chairs for her, and letting her order first. When playing sports with your woman, make sure to be gentle—and also let her win.

Listen – Ask question and show (not pretend) that you are interested to what your date is saying. The reason why you should not pretend to be listening because your date might end up talking more about him or her rather than making it a stimulating conversation. Among those topics that are great in date conversations are work, hobbies, books, music, movies, and sports. Do not talk or ask about politics, religion, and especially former relationships.

Look at them in the eyes – Eye contact spells out your interest and attention towards your date.

Have fun – Remember that the date should be fun. Bring laughter into the conversation by bringing out your sense of humor through jokes. Make every activity light and happy. However, if you see that your date isn't laughing at your jokes, don't tell another one.

Your first date with a woman can take a lot of time to overcome your shyness and get to know each other. One way to break the awkward silence is to strike up a conversation with her. However, what exactly should we talk about? Are there any topics that we are not supposed to discuss with a prospective partner?

You don't need to be an expert conversationalist when following these tips. All you have to do is to take note of the following and you will be just fine.

Avoid talking about her past – Never ask about past lovers on a first date. In fact, this should be avoided until she initiates the topic herself. Remember that your lady date may have been hurt from her previous relationship or may still be in love with her ex. At the same time, you also prefer to start with a clean slate. That is why becoming chummy and comforting her about past mistakes may not the be wisest strategy on the first date.

Discuss about siblings – A safe topic of conversation is asking about siblings (brothers and sisters, just don't ask if her sisters are cute). Asking about her parents could backfire, especially if they are divorced or separated when she was at a young age. Talking about her sisters and brothers usually trigger good feelings and score player points for you since you are showing a caring side and an interest in her family life.

Ask about her travel experience – A tricky way to spark a girl's interest is by asking about her past travel destinations and where she intends on visiting in the future. If she mentions a spot that she always wanted to visit, consider offering her to take her there with you, provided that you share insights about each other's cultural background and your openness to new adventures.

Talk about foods you like – If the date is taking place at a restaurant or bar, talking about the kind of food and drinks each of you prefers. Not only can you gauge whether or not you share culinary preferences, but the potential topics are endless and provide you with a safe topic of conversation.

Discuss about career plans – Asking a girl about her past education and whether she intend on returning to school can be a double-edged sword. She may love to go on and on about her numerous academic achievements, but at the same time she might break down and admit that her current job has absolutely nothing to do with what she studied. Either way, you could just reassure and encourage her with an abundance of compliments (not too much though).

Talk about her work – If both of you are ages away from college, then try talking about work and career goals. Do not let her go into the mundane details about how fed up she is with her life. However, people like to brag about their work, no matter how routine it is.

Ask about her friends – Even if you don't know them, she would gladly tell you about her circle of friends, how much they mean to her and where she met them, as well as all of the things they did together. Listen intently on this one, as you might get important details about her. If you manage to meet her friends several dates afterwards (considering that the two of you are still an item), they are usually the best source to unearth the skeletons in her closet.

Ask about her hobbies and interests – Is she into roller blading? Stamp collecting? Cross-stitching? Dancing? How about sports? What kind of music does she like? These types of non-intrusive personal questions determine how much of a bond exist between the two of you. Besides, this could gain you some insights to follow-up questions.


Talk about activities you could do together – This is a great topic if she is having a good time and her body language is positive. Look ahead and talk about other things that you could do together in the future. Of course, you don't want to go too far ahead and scare her off. However, if she is enjoying herself, chances are that she would be

Keep talking – Ask her a lot of questions, but remember to listen to her answers and form new questions around those. Don't forget to have your say as well.

Does it work to play hard to get?

By Sherry Amatenstein

First dates are a necessary evil in the lives of singles. They combine the pressure of job interviews with the artificiality of plastic flowers. You’re willing to do practically ANYTHING to make a good impression; all the while you’re observing each move your date makes with the suspicious air of a judge looking down his/her nose at a defendant.

With all the high hopes, expectations and fears men and women bring to the table on a first date, it’s a wonder anyone makes it to the second these days. To aid in the progress of l’amour au courant, here are some first date do’s and don’ts to follow:

DO:

Be yourself. Let me amend that to be your BEST self. This is not the time to admit to all the vulnerabilities and insecurities that regularly beset you, nor to share the story of how the shock of catching your fiancée in bed with your brother landed you in a mental institution. Trot out the tried-and-true tales that showcase your sweet and sparkling personality.

Be a good listener. The purpose of this strategy is twofold. A man likes a woman who isn’t a conversation hog. He wants the opportunity to shine in your eyes by trotting out HIS tried-and-true tales. Plus, allowing him to orate gives you the chance to discern what makes him tick. If he talks about how ALL of his ex girlfriends are bitter, selfish, man-hating crones, imagine their side of the story. If he admits to not being the marrying kind, that’s valuable information to have early on as well. (No, you won’t change him!) If he talks about how the thing that gives life meaning for him is being involved in a love relationship – well, isn’t that good info to know?

Try to have fun. Your life does not hang in the balance. It’s just a date. All you’re really doing is hanging out for a few hours with a new acquaintance. Lighten up.

DON’T:

Pretend to be someone you’re not. If you eat meat and he’s a vegetarian, fess up to your carnivorous ways. Ditto if you’re a two-pack-a-day gal and he’s a non-smoker. The truth will always out eventually: Sooner is truly better than later.

Make a snap judgment about your feelings toward him. Unless he’s a TOTAL boor or potential nutcase, give him another try or two before writing him off. Rush to first date judgment and you’ll have lots and lots of time to regret the hasty rejection of someone who might have been the love of your life.

Leave him hanging. If you’d like to see him again, say, "I had a great time. The time really flew." Yes, you can kiss him goodnight but don’t act desperate to set up a second date on the spot. If the first date is all she wrote for you, say, "It was a pleasure meeting you. All the best." Don’t dilute the message by engaging in kissy-kissy.

The most important first tip of all: Date safe. Don’t take risks with your safety. Just because your cousin’s friend’s boss introduced you to this guy doesn’t mean you should invite a virtual stranger in for some wine and music. Besides, not rushing into intimacy gives you something to look forward to on future dates.

Five first date Forget-me-Nots

By Diane Farr

You might know her as the lovely (and brave) cohost of MTV's Loveline or from her current role on The Job, but this actress also has some hilarious secrets on friendship that she shares in her new book The Girl Code. Check out these five must-read dating rules before you go out on your next date -- or send them to your favorite single friend! She'll thank you for it!

The Ugly Underwear Rule

If you really want to hook up on a first date, wear your ugliest underwear. Inevitably, you’ll hook up.

The Unshaven Legs Rule

If you apply this and the ugly underwear rule at the same time, you’ll probably marry the guy.

R.K.

When the date is over and you think you like him but you’re still not exactly sure, a little recreational kissing probably won’t hurt him or you. And…it may help answer that question of whether you’re interested.

I.R.K.

Irresponsible Recretional Kissing is when you make out with him because you foolishly think you have to or when you already know you’re not interested and just aren’t mature enough to say so.

Pick Up After Yourself

If a girlfriend was kind enough to loan you an outfit for this important evening out, make sure you dry-clean it immediately. Don’t keep it, thinking you have some nostalgic right to adopt it. Return it – cleaned – by next weekend, or you could karmicly damage the date you just had. (Not really, but return her damn clothes anyway.)

If you want to inject a little romance or spontaneity into a date, without breaking the bank, try following some of these ideas. You might just surprise yourself – and your partner!

1. Hike to the top of a mountain for a picnic.

2. Take a rowboat out on a lake at sunset.

3. Go up to the top of a building in a large city and take in the view.

4. Dress for a formal party, and then walk down the streets singing love songs.

5. Find a dark, romantic bistro with great coffees and desserts, or an independent book store that encourages browsing.

6. Find a rarely-used corner deep in the stacks of your library. Blow the dust off some musty old volume and read it aloud together. Steal a few hot kisses.

7. Pretend you've just won the lottery. "Shop" for your dream furnishings in elegant craft galleries, jewellery stores, and similar shops.

8. Test drive a sports car together.

9. Visit a specialty food factory such as a chocolate factory.

10. Browse a ritzy museum, gift shop or art gallery.

11. Drive along the outer borders of your city or county, exploring new neighbourhoods and villages where you've never been.

12. Ride a city's entire public rail transit system, going out on remote branch lines, just for the heck of it.

13. Spend the whole evening dressed and acting as characters from a play, movie, or book that you both enjoyed.

14. Speak only gibberish and let your thoughts be understood from your emotions, gestures, and tone.

15. Explore a wild and scenic place you've always wanted to check out.

16. Walk around celebrity neighbourhoods, looking for glimpses of the rich and famous.

17. Do something completely out of character--something you ordinarily wouldn't be caught dead even thinking about.

18. Go explore a local flea market one Saturday.

19. Get a guide book for your city. See you area through the eyes of tourists. You will be amazed at all the attractions that are hidden nearby.

20. Star gazing - Get a book on constellations and watch the stars. This can be especially fun during a meteor shower.

Ideas for Girls:

1. Go rollerblading. If you know how to rollerblade and he doesn't, teach him. If he knows and you don't, let him teach you. This date is great for breaking the ice because both of you will embarrass yourselves so much that you won't help but be able to laugh. Your true personalities will show.

2. Go for a walk, maybe some coffee after. It seems simple enough, but you'd be surprised about what you'd find out about someone if you'd just give them a chance to tell you. Besides, there's nothing like the ambiance of a great, romantic cafe to get you in the mood.

Ideas for Guys:

1. There's nothing like a good picnic. You can't argue with a classic.

2. Go to see the planes take off. This may be a little difficult, but sometimes there are little nooks and crannies by the highways and roads off of the runways. You can lie down on top of the hood of the car or lay a blanket on the ground and watch as the planes fly right over your head.

3. Plan a romantic evening with chocolate covered strawberries and slow music. Find some of her favourite songs and compile them onto one cassette and play them while you feed her strawberries.

Seasonal Ideas:

Winter Ideas

1. Make a lunch or dinner of hot soup and rolls together and set the table with candles. Play your favourite music.

2. Have an indoor picnic -- lay out a blanket and bring a picnic basket -- just have it on your living room floor!

3. Build a fire and roast marshmallows. If you don't have a fireplace, build a small safe campfire outside. Be sure to put it out completely when you're done and before leaving the area.

4. Build a snow fort together.

5. Surprise your date with "Summer in a Bag!" Get creative: Gather together 2 pairs of sunglasses, coconut suntan oil (for the smell of summer), Put on a Beach Boys CD, blow up a beach ball to toss and pretend it's hot out. It's silly, but it can take the edge out of the winter blues.

6. Make a snowman and snowwoman.

7. Go ice skating.

8. Make angels in the snow.

9. Bundle up and go someplace to watch the sun set over a silhouette of bare trees. As the sun goes down, watch them appear black and strikingly beautiful against the sky.

10. Go to a cappuccino bar, drink decaf and get to know one another.

11. Go sleigh riding.

12. Go for a walk in the snow and catch snow flakes on your tongue.

13. End a winter walk with hot chocolate and mini marshmallows.

14. Go to an arcade.

15. Rent a movie and pop some corn.

16. Rent and watch the video "It's a Wonderful Life!"

17. Assemble a really challenging puzzle.

18. Play board games.

19. Take a night-time walk to look at your neighbours holiday decorations and lights.

20. Go skiing -- downhill or cross-country.

Spring Ideas

1. Go wild-flower hunting. Pick your date a bouquet of wild-flowers. Put some in his/her hair.

2. Go for a walk in the park together.

3. Plant a window garden together.

4. Skip stones on a lake.

5. Have a picnic.

6. Go horseback riding.

7. Go on a hike.

8. Hire a professional guide and go rock climbing.

9. Go on a hot air balloon ride.

10. Go to the zoo to see the new baby animals that were born this spring.

11. Go for a walk in the rain (an umbrella is optional) and sing "Singing in the Rain!" really loudly.

12. Rent a bicycle built for two.

13. Go to a comedy club.

14. Look in your local paper for free or inexpensive concerts, shows and fairs.

15. Go to a park and play on the swings.

16. Play tennis.

Summer Ideas

1. Go to the top of a very tall building to watch the sun go down.

2. Jump through sprinklers together.

3. Go star gazing. Name a star for your date.

4. Lie on the grass and watch clouds. Use your imagination and talk about what you see in the clouds.

5. Go to an amusement park, go on scary rides and eat cotton candy.

6. Go rafting or canoeing or tubing (using a truck inner tube).

7. Walk on the beach. Bury each other in the sand.

8. Visit a boardwalk or carnival and play games.

9. Get up really early and meet to watch the sun rise -- then go for breakfast at a diner.

10. Run in a 5 K race together.

11. Do a walk-a-thon (for some cause you care about) together.

12. Go fishing.

13. Write a message and tie it to a balloon (or send it off in a bottle). Ask whoever finds it to mail you the message and tell you where they found it.

14. Get a group together and go camping.

15. Make home made ice-cream!

16. Watch a Little League game and cheer like you're watching the pros.

Fall Ideas

1. Decorate the house for Halloween or Thanksgiving.

2. Carve pumpkins.

3. Go apple picking and make an apple pie with the apples.

4. Go in-line skating.

5. Make a scarecrow together.

6. Go bike riding.

7. Get a big old barrel, water, and apples and invite a group of friends to dunk for apples. Have a camera available. There will be great shots!

8. Go to a flea market. Find the silliest thing for sale.

9. Go to a historic site. Try to talk like people from that period of time.

10. Go to a football game and cheer for the underdog, or for your home team.

25 Rules That Guys Wish Women Knew

1. Crying is blackmail.

2. Ask for what you want. Subtle hints don't work.

3. Don't cut your hair. Ever.

4. Sometimes, we're not thinking about you. Live with it.

5. Get rid of your cat.

6. Anything we said six or eight months ago is inadmissible in an argument.

7. Anything you wear is fine. Really.

8. Christopher Columbus didn't need directions, and neither do we.

9. You have too many shoes.

10. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

11. Learn to work the toilet seat; if it's up, put it down.

12. Mark anniversaries on a calendar.

13. Yes, peeing standing up is more difficult than peeing from point blank range. We're bound to miss sometimes.

14. "Yes" and "no" are perfectly acceptable answers.

15. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor.

16. Don't fake it. We'd rather be ineffective than deceived.

17. Sunday = sports.

18. If you don't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap-opera guys.

19. If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad and angry, we meant the other one.

20. Let us ogle. If we don't look at other women, how can we know how pretty you are?

21. Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out.

22. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done -- not both.

23. Women wearing Wonderbras and low-cut blouses lose their right to complain about having their boobs stared at.

24. You have enough clothes.

25. Nothing says "I love you" like sex.