Regardless of your age, dating can be stressful. Especially that first date can be nerve-racking if you are a teenager, or if you've been married and haven't dated in many years.

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.

My advice on dating is to keep the first few dates simple, 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.

We all worry about what we should talk about when we meet someone new. Well, there are some simple guidelines, like: Remember to be a good listener and show interest in what the other person talks about.

When you say things about yourself, remember to keep it short and sweet. Do not indulge in the history of your life right away. Rather, keep it light and on a humorous note. Remember: never be boring!

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.

Who knows, your soul mate may also be using that dating agency - or they may not. Why do we get attracted to this person and not to the other? It is impossible to predict.

Another popular trend is speed dating. The idea is that you meet a number of people in quick succession and chat a few minutes with each. The advantage of this is that at least you don't get stuck with someone you can't stand talking to.

Dating 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.