Dating can be a minefield, no matter how old or young we are. First dates can be stressful for teenagers or for divorcees who haven't dated for twenty years. My advice on dating is borne from experience. You learn from mistakes. No matter how you cut the deck, there has to be a first date. Of course, you may have known someone for a long time beforehand and been friends which should ease the tension.



Let us suppose you don't know each other very well. The fun of dating is learning about each other, peeling away the layers and discovering all those wonderful quirks and traits. You are excited, nervous but in a good way. Dress smart casual, don't overdo it. Dutch courage is ok but in moderation, turning up tipsy won't make a good impression. My advice on dating for men is, don't be afraid of corny gestures. As a woman, I never believe another woman who says she doesn't like receiving flowers. She's kidding herself.

Whoever arranges the date, and let's face it, it's still usually the man, must organize it to go smoothly. Don't make it up as you go along. Spontaneous diverting from the plan is fine but that there has to be a plan in the first place. It's no use rocking up to an exclusive restaurant without booking a table. My advice on dating is to keep the first few dates simple anyway, there's no need to put pressure on yourselves. I always give advice on dating for the first occasion to be a lunch date. There's something more relaxing about it. It's like a semi date and easier to walk away from if you don't hit it off.

Everyone worries about what to talk about on dates. There are some rules I would stipulate for advice on dating. Remember to listen and show you're interested in what your date has to say. Show this by asking questions. When it's time to talk about you, it's not required that you give your entire life story. A brief synopsis will do, and if you can punctuate it with amusing anecdotes then all the better. No risque jokes though.

Many people, especially those who have gone through a divorce and been off the dating carousal for a while, use the services of a dating agency. I wouldn't knock them as long as you don't build your hopes too high. Mr. or Miss Perfect may be on their files, but they might not. Why we click with certain people can't be defined and bottled. We are into the mysterious world of sexual chemistry here. The files will match you up to people with similar interests and background, but what about opposites attracting? It's really not a science. The dating agency will give advice on dating, as far as staying safe is concerned. They vet their clients as best they can but it's advisable to meet in a public place.

A recent trend has been speed dating sessions. You have five minutes to chat and decide if you're interested or not. It's not long but at least you don't get lumbered with someone with a personality bypass. It could be fun and remember that fun should be the buzz word concerning advice on dating here. Don't be too intense when you're out there. If you have I need a soul mate stamped on your forehead, you'll scare everybody away.