Internet Research

Great news ladies.

61% of men say they do not care if you shave your legs!!!!!

However this is the question that was asked:

So let’s say you hook up with a woman you like a lot, but she has a few days’ worth of stubble on her legs.

The caviat is that the man does not care, as long as he already likes you. However, if he does not "like you a lot" shaving your legs may be good insurance.

It can be a good barometer for guys too, if a girl has not shaved her legs, she probably does not "like you a lot" either.

Date Night

I had a date on Sunday.  It was not a first date, or even the third date.  A specific plan was never established, but the general idea involved dinner and a movie, maybe some bar games if we felt like it. 

I showed up in jeans, wellies, and a chambray button up.  My date opened the door and was wearing dress pants, a sweater, and a tie. 

Apparently he was in the mood to go someplace nice.  His thought was since “You always look nice” I did not need to be alerted to the upgrade in venue. 

Shoot.  The time I really go for casual totally backfired on me. 

We went to dinner at the fancy place and still received excellent service and delicious food.  Halfway through the bottle of wine I stopped feeling bad about my outfit. 

Word to the wise:  if you want to take your girl out to a nice place, tell her before she gets dressed. 

A Do or A Don't

Carrying condoms.  A Do or a Don’t?

What is the judgment on a man carrying a condom in his pocket/wallet/jacket? 

A.      Safety First

B.      What a MORE

C.      At least he is prepared  

D.      It is his job to supply the condom

After I judge I also wonder:

     A.      How old is it?  Is it better if it is old, or if it is new? 
     B.    How does he even know if I like that kind?  (Invariably, the condom that comes out to the bar is the super textured version which in my frank opinion, is not that pleasurable).

I guess the real takeaway is to not sleep with a guy that you met at the bar.  And if you do….. Have your own condoms on hand if you are worried about the brand/style/age/effectiveness of what he may supply. 

And do you know what do not work?  Cotton/lace condoms.  So be smart. 

Dating on a Budget

It is acceptable to choose a place based on their $5 appetizers or two for one drinks. These are not coupons, these are "specials."

What about Groupon on a date.  Are they a Yea or Nay?  With careful set-up, I am voting Yea.  Coupons on a first date are a no.  Coupons on a second date are a no.  Coupons on the third date are a maybe. 

My opinion is that a coupon can be a good excuse for a date.  “Hey, I have a Groupon for a sushi place I’ve been interested in checking out. Do you want to go this week?”  

If you have not told your date you have a coupon, you are not allowed to pull it out when the check comes.

If it is a Groupon for a couples portrait session, you better just borrow my cat for it. 

She likes me, she likes me not

How to tell if a girl likes you on a date.

In the follow up with my friend after the date with Coworker, I learned that he was unsure if I “liked” him because I did not give off the signs touted by Men’s Health or Cosmo ie playing with my hair while chatting or finding an excuse to touch his arm.  I thought I remembered a touch on his leg, which would be a little more aggressive than an arm touch, but maybe I am remembering a different date….

Regardless, here are some other signs you can look for to see if a girl is into you. 

1.       She lets you try her drink

2.       The date lasts for more than 90 minutes

3.       She is engaged in the conversation

4.       She throws out a casual innuendo. Or two.  Flirty ones, not trashy. 

5.       She uses your name in conversation
6.    She offers to pay for all or part of the date
 

What happens after you watch a movie

I was thinking of what happens after “the movie” is over and before you get your sweatpants out.  What should you have on hand to make your viewing partner comfortable? 

It depends on how you want to be perceived.  It is a fine line of being a bad host and being too prepared so you come across like you run a low budget hostel and the price of a nights stay is a 99 cent redbox movie. 

Here are some suggestions.

A frozen pizza. It’s nice to have a midnight snack. If your movie partner is someone who you would kick out of your bed for eating crackers (or pizza as the current cast may be), you might want to rethink the decision to watch a movie. 

Champagne.  Not only does it go well with frozen pizza, it might lead to a second viewing of the movie.  You know, now that you know when all of the good parts are coming. 

If you are a man, it is nice if you have a tshirt that you do not mind sharing.  A pair of basketball shorts may be nice. Both of these should come out of a drawer.  Because they are clean.

Contact solution and a case is never unwelcome.  Since I myself wear contacts, I would never put someone in the hostel owner category if they happened to keep some on hand.  Just tell me that you had laser eye surgery and never got rid of the other stuff. 

Mouthwash is welcome. Having a spare toothbrush on hand is borderline hostel owner.

Spare cash.  You just never know. 

How to conduct yourself at a bar

Here are a few quick tips that I learned at middle school dances that I think translate well to the bar scene. 

1.       Do not huddle in a large group. 

I get it, you want that cute guy across the bar (who, come on, is probably a doctor) to think you are super cool and the most popular girl at the bar.  However, you need to be accessible.  Break off into a group of no larger than three.  This also increases the chances that the doctor will buy all three of you a drink; they get a free drink to dull the pain of rejection and you get a make-out partner on the dance floor. 

 

2.       Wear an outfit that you trust. 

If you have to ask your friends to keep an eye on any part of your outfit remaining in a advantageous state,  you should change.  It is guaranteed that you will have a clothing malfunction and it will not be your friends fault. 

 

3.       Keep the drink simple, yet sophisticated.

Ok, so I did not learn that in middle school (or did I…) but please, no drink with more than two ingredients.  And those two ingredients cannot be: rum and coke.    If you are not of age to be in a bar, that drink will give you away right quick.  And if you are of age and ordering that, you are signaling that you are immature and not ready for a relationship.  Or that you are only ready for a relationship that will have a lifespan of ten hours, which is not long enough to get breakfast in the morning. 

 

Any other advice? 

 

Good Things

There are a lot of good things about a first date.  Some people get anxious about that first date and think its awkward.  It can be, but I prefer to think of it an adventure.  That is what this blog is about.  There are no bad dates, only cool stories.  

I think the best thing about the first date is getting to say, “I have a date tonight.”  As in, “sorry I can’t work late on this project, I have a date tonight.”  Or, “Oh, your kid’s math homework sounds like a fun way to spend the night. I have a date tonight.” 

Because all of my dates lately are blind dates, it requires a little preparation.  I have to pick out an outfit that is both work appropriate and date worthy.  I hope my coworkers appreciate the extra effort I’ve put into styling myself lately.  That means no waking up late and putting wet hair in a messy bun (that’s not really a good idea right now anyway because winter is coming.  I don’t want to catch a cold).  

I also review all information I have on the person.  I do a quick review of their profile so I can remember who they are, I reread the emails we’ve exchanged, and try to think of some backup conversation starters.   You do not want to walk into a bar and call your date the wrong name.  Or even call them the wrong name in an email.  We all know there is a lot of action going on through the site, but it does not hurt to take a second and confirm that you really are emailing  Megan and not Sarah.  If I had paid attention to that the last time around, I could have avoided some trouble!  First impressions are lasting impressions. 

Another good thing about going on a first date is that it’s a fresh start.  If it goes well you can laugh about the weird things you were thinking or embarrassing things you did.  Show pictures of your cat on the first date? Check.  Only because she is really cute. 

 

 

 

But really, every date is scary until you know the person well enough to be seen without your makeup on.  Just know that both parties have to experience it and you will live through it.  Hopefully you will find yourself on your last first date.  You just won’t know it yet J