From The Straits Times    |

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Dating can seem like a minefield at times, with several things that could possibly blow up in your face and ruin the date. Or, sometimes, you might think the date went well but you never hear from him again. We get the lowdown straight from the horses’ (okay, men’s) mouths, as to what you can do on your date to ensure he’ll want to see you again. You’d be surprised how simple some of these tips are!

 

Look interested

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It’s tempting to play it cool sometimes but that puts you at risk of coming across as more like the Ice Queen. If your date is going well, show him that you’re having a good time so that he’s more inclined to ask you out again. “I’ve been out with women who appear so aloof that it’s a huge turn off, it gives me the impression they’re not interested,” said Kenneth, 32. “It’s way more promising when women laugh at your jokes, ask you questions and generally give off vibes that they’re enjoying themselves. It tells me they’d want to do it all over again so it never ends there.”

 

ALSO READ: 6 TIPS TO GET BACK IN THE DATING GAME

 

Don’t try too hard

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While the basic gist of the first few dates is trying your best to impress the other party, there’s a limit to what you should do. Be comfortable with yourself and dress like you want to make an impression but not like you’re trying too hard. And definitely don’t brag. “The biggest turn-off for me is when women pile on loads of make-up for a date; it shows me she’s too high-maintenance and that’ll be the end of us,” said Faz, 26. “And if every sentence she utters is about how great she is at her job or what a good person she is, I know she’s piling that on too. While I do like successful women, someone humble has a higher chance of me wanting to see her again.”

 

Be upbeat

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Let’s face it, Debbie Downer has a close to zero chance of being asked out again. Keep the mood light and go for a lively, pleasant vibe. You don’t have to have a smile plastered on your face constantly but don’t be negative or gloomy because chances are he won’t give you a second chance. “I once went on a date with this woman who was so dour; she complained about the restaurant I chose, how slow the service was (it wasn’t) and kept telling me she was going to post a bad review on her social media accounts when she got home,” Don, 29, shared. “If you don’t like something that went on, see the funny side and laugh it off. I’d definitely want to spend more time with a woman like that.”

 

Keep the mystery

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There’s such a thing as TMI (too much information) on a first date. Your date doesn’t have to know everything about you after one meeting and definitely not your deepest, darkest secrets either. It’ll make him uncomfortable and you’ll lose points even if you did nothing else wrong. “A few months ago I went on a date with a woman who poured out her family secrets and it felt so weird to not know much about her yet know all about her father’s mistress,” said Jon, 35. “If you feed me information about yourself in bits, I’d be more intrigued and want to see you again to find out more.”

 

Make the move

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If your first date went well, you don’t have to wait for him to call you. Make the first move and drop him a message when you get home or the next day about how you had a great time and would love to do it all over again. “Sometimes it’s hard to know if a woman’s interested so it’s best if they tell us so,” said Krish, 30. “When a woman tells me she enjoyed herself and I did so too, I’ll never hesitate to ask her out again. And I’d definitely say yes too if she invited me out.”

 

Be yourself

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It sounds like a cliche but the fact is, you need to win him over with your true personality. You’ll also be more comfortable and confident when you’re not trying to put on a front. Mel, 29, explained: “When I told her I play football every Saturday morning, she told me she finds the sport boring. It took me by surprise but I appreciated the fact that she didn’t pretend to be someone she’s not just to impress me.”

 

ALSO READ: 5 DATING MISTAKES SINGLES MAKE ACCORDING TO DATING COACHES