“My Dating Success Secret”

If you’ve been on a date (or few), chances are you’ve noticed that certain moves work like lucky charms, all but ensuring you two will have a great time and be up for meeting again (and again). Given that we love hearing about what you’ve learned during your romantic adventures, we asked you to reveal your secret success strategies... and were flooded with ingenious ideas. Here’s what men and women swear by—try a few yourself (ignore the ones that don’t feel right) and who knows? Maybe one or two will become your best practices as well.

The smooch schedule
“I never kiss a woman before the third date. The reason: To add a little mystery to me, to keep her on her toes and wondering, ‘When is he gonna kiss me?’ Most guys are looking for ‘the score’ from the moment the woman opens the door, and women have come to expect this. By holding out, I’ve found that it sets me apart from all of their other dates.”
—Stevegovols, Knoxville, TN

Dress to impress
“I always try to wear a skirt on the first date.”
—Bullock36, Washington, DC


Time it right
“I make it a policy to not meet someone for more than one hour for the first time: a drink or a cup of coffee. I have done lunch, but not often. That way, neither of us is stuck if we aren't clicking.”
—11deadeye, Columbia, SC

A man with manners
“I always open and close the car door for a date if I’m driving, and escort her arm in arm. I like to show women that not every guy has forgotten how to show some old-school class.”
—AFourthStooge, Chicago, IL

Mysterious ways
“My rule is to not give out too much information about myself on a first date. It leaves a little mystery and the guy wants to come back to find out exactly what I’m hiding.”
—Tainteddream5882, Kansas City, MO

Count his moves
“I have a three-strikes rule: If a guy misses three consecutive opportunities to do or say something gentlemanly, it’s over.”
—Joyella_sews, Baltimore, MD

The follow-up
“I always thank my date after we part with a nice thank-you email or call. I stick with it since it shows that the get-together was not just some one-time event, but a connection or relating of two people, even if it doesn’t go further.”
—Anthony_Xmasbaby, New York, NY

The “do not call” list
“I do not call guys until we’re dating exclusively. I let him take the initiative.”
—Amorales314, Memphis, TN

The silent treatment
“I never mention exes.”
—Karag780, Orlando, FL

Taking notes
“I always make sure that I listen to everything she says very carefully. They’re always impressed when I remember details about our conversations.”
—Conrad4344

Go slow
“I will usually never call the date the next day. I think you have to wait a day or two to build some anticipation.”
—DDColt047, Philadelphia, PA

Article courtesy of Happen magazine, http://www.happenmag.com.