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COLUMN 3 TOPIC: 5 Essential Tips for Men on a First Date

1. Compliment Her. The first few minutes are crucial on a first date. It’s important to check out your date in a subtle fashion, and take notice of the efforts she has put towards meeting you. Often, women will go to huge lengths to prepare for their date. Simply stating “You look great!” will absolutely make her day and give her a wonderful first impression of you.

2. Ask Questions. Getting to know someone can be easier than you think. When you are meeting someone for a first time, it’s important to take control of your nerves and put your best foot forward. Asking your date questions about travel, family and activities they are interested in is a great way to break the ice. Remember: You are not in a job interview so don’t treat it like one!

How to control first date nerves? Our matchmakers often suggest treating the meeting as if you are reconnecting with an old friend. You will want to learn more about “who they are today”, and your anxieties will naturally subside.

3. Listen. She’s telling you information that you will want to catch so lean in to hear her, maintain eye contact and let her know you are paying attention. First dates can have that awkward silence, but if you are listening then you can create another question based on information she is touching on.

4. Pick up the cheque. Making the first move when the bill comes gives your date the impression that you are a gentleman and responsible. If she fights you to contribute, you can decline once, but if she insists then agree to split it.

5. Graciously end the date. Thank her for making the time to meet with you and let her know you had a wonderful time. Suggest swapping contact info (if you haven’t already), and let her know you will be in touch relatively soon. If you are into her, then make sure to plan a second date within a week’s time—providing she's interested. If you are not interested in seeing her again, then contact her and let her know you are not interested in moving forward.

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Rebecca Cooper's dating column appears bi-weekly on PTBOCanada.com.

Click here to learn more about Rebecca Cooper's Match Me Peterborough. Sign up here for her newsletter, "Like" her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter, check out her website, email her here or call 1.877.553.8883.

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COLUMN 1 TOPIC: How to approach a woman and successfully ask her out

Before you consider dating, you need to first learn how to approach her.

Your physical image is what she first will see; she will build a quick impression of you just from your exterior shell. First impressions count. Are you a career successful, well-educated man who would like to meet a fit and attractive female? Then you need to look the part, as your inner self should influence your personal style.

Women want to be courted by someone who has made the effort to update their look with clothing that is modern and age appropriate. Also someone who is well groomed and smells absolutely charming.

Matchmaker FYI: Women care about appearance but are far less concerned if you look like a Hollywood hunk. They are more attracted to the man inside the body.

What’s your strategy for a date? You need to have already mentally mapped out a fabulous evening with this person, and you need to let them know what kind of man you are. Women want to run into their friends or colleagues when out with a confident man so this means that taking her out to a hip restaurant in downtown Peterborough should be a part of the plan. Women also love the romantic attempts men make in movies so consider buying her a small box of delicatessen chocolates or bringing her a bottle of your favourite wine.

Confidence is eye contact with someone, smiling while shaking their hand and a comfortable stature when speaking with them. Your voice needs to project assurance with a strong masculine touch. The confidence in a man is what gets the women in the end.

A man’s morale couldn’t be any sexier in my opinion.

This is the first of bi-weekly dating columns by Rebecca Cooper appearing on PTBOCanada.com.