A First Kiss

A first kiss is very special; you remember it rest of your life. That knowledge puts pressure on both people involved. You want it to be perfect but, chances are, it won't be...and that's okay. It will still be special. Here are some suggestions for making that first kiss the best it can be. 1. Be confident. It's not that difficult. 2. Relax. It's harder to kiss when you are tense. 3. Make eye contact first. 4. Don´t make it too long or too short. 5. Don´t be aggressive. 6. When you are finished, smile!

Dating 101: The Basics of Dating

1) The person you are dating deserves respect

2) A good dating partner is upbeat and positive

3) Never force your date to do something he or she doesn´t want to do

4) A date that is planned is often more successful than a date that is thrown together at the last moment

5) If you are dating one person exclusively, be faithful--trust is the foundation of all relationships

6) Ask questions to learn more about the person you are dating

7) Never ever let someone talk you into violating your own principles

8) Be comfortable with yourself. You cannot be good at dating if you don´t believe in yourself.

What Should I Wear?

We know first impressions are important, and we'd like to think they're primarily based on personality, right? Wrong. First impressions are largely about on how we look. So when you're getting ready for that all-important first date, think about what you are going to wear. Dress to impress, but also dress to show your personality. Keep in mind the activities you have planned for evening, and dress accordingly. If you initiated the date, make sure your invitee knows your plans as well so that he or she can dress appropriately.

Dating Tips: Eye Contact

Eye contact is very important when dating, and a critical flirting tip. So many emotions, especially those dealing with interest, are conveyed through the eyes. Too little eye contact can lead your date to think that you're not interested in them, while too much eye contact can seem creepy and make your date feel uncomfortable. You have to maintain eye contact during the date, in order to convey your interest. When looking at your date, always look at their face, unless you are commenting on a specific piece of clothing or jewelry. Remember to gaze gently at your date – staring at them will come across as too intense, and may make them a little uncomfortable.

15 Signs of an Abusive Relationship

How do you know if you are in an abusive relationship? Below are some warning signs. Please take these signs seriously. No amount of love will compensate for these innappropriate behaviors.

1) A push for quick involvement
2) Jealousy
3) Controlling behaviors
4) Unrealistic expectations
5) Isolation
6) Blames others for problems and mistakes
7) Makes everyone else responsible for his feelings
8) Hypersensitivity
9) Cruelty to animals and children
10) "Playful" use of force during sex
11) Verbal abuse
12) Rigid sex roles
13) Sudden mood swings
14) Past battering (of you or on others)
15) Threats of violence

Cleanliness and Attire

The impression you leave on a date begins the moment you see each other. Even before you speak your first words, your date has made judgments based on what he/she sees. That is why your appearance, cleanliness and clothing are so important on a date. Making a misstep in these three categories can negate any other positive thing you do during the remainder of the date. It is better to ensure that you have showered and are appropriately dressed than to hurry to avoid being late. If you need to, make a phone call and delay...but look nice for your date. It shows you care.

Footing the First Date Bill

Who pays for a date? It's not as clear as it once was. More and more, dates -- even people who have dated for years -- split the tab at the end of the evening. But on the first date, whoever asks for the date should pay. If you decide to continue seeing each other, alternating payment during subsequent dates is only fair. Make an effort to choose activities that fall within both of your budgets.

Feeling Free To Be Yourself

Have you ever wondered if there are some fundamental keys to avoiding a bad dating relationship and ultimately a bad marriage? There are. The first is being able to be yourself while dating. One of the most common red flags in a dating relationship is thinking you have to play a role or act like something or someone you are not. So, if you are in a current relationship, ask yourself, "Can I be myself in this relationship or do I have to mask some of my feelings?" If the answer is yes, this relationship is not for you. If you are starting a relationship, be yourself -- without apology -- from the start. It will save both parties a lot of pain down the road.

Breaking Up Without Going To Pieces

In the article, "Breaking up without going to pieces," author Gawain Wells discusses strategies for dealing with a breaking up. To successfuly move on, he suggests:

1) Don´t have a pity party. It is okay to feel bad, but an extended pity party can turn into depression.

2) Be grateful that you aren´t going to be dating someone who doesn´t want to date you anymore.

3) Figure out a game plan for moving on.

4) Be confident. Learn from your mistake and course correct so it doesn´t happen again.

5) Learn from every dating experience. Constantly self-evaluate and learn to break bad patterns.

Differences Between Men and Women

Dr. Bernard Murstein reminds us of a common saying: "Women give sex for love, men give love for sex." Murstein provides some interesting evidence to support this claim. Consider the following:

1) Men more than women enter a relationship with the desire to fall in love and report being initially more attracted to their eventual fiancees.

2) Men tend to fall in love earlier than women.

3) Men are less willing to marry without being in love.

4) In general, men appear initially much more geared to romance than women.

5) Once serious courtship is under way, the woman´s love may be a better predictor of the course of the relationship. Even if she is more involved with him, she may break up the relationship if she thinks it is going nowhere.

Asking a Guy Out

Men and women are definitely created equal, but women have been asking men out for way fewer years. So it's natural to be a nervous about taking the plunge. To make things a little easier on yourself, plan an activity with a group of friends and invite the guy along. Just tell him that you and some friends are getting together and you were wondering if he would like to join you as your date. It's still clear you're together, but all those friends will be a great buffer if things go awry. Good luck!

Finding Local Singles Online

Thanks to the the Internet explosion, it is very easy to find local singles online. For starters, most larger dating websites allow you to search by geographical area, allowing you to narrow your search to only those singles in your immediate locality. If you live in a larger urban area, then you will most likely have many other online dating options. Often, smaller online dating sites will seek to cover a certain region or metropolitan area. For example, if you are a single living in New York, doing a quick Google search will generate at least 10 websites that cater exclusively to singles living in the New York City area. If you live in a smaller, less populated area, your localized online dating options may be more limited, as the websites will likely draw singles from a larger geographical area.

Dating Tips; Googling your date

Don't pretend like you haven't tried it before; we've all Googled people in our lives. So why shouldn't you Google a person that you're going to date? There are arguments both for and against. Yes, Google is an excellent way of gathering information quickly about a person, but you have to remember that it is information provided out of context. Try this simple test: Google yourself. Now look at the information Google provides about you and ask, “Does this really represent me?” Chances are, Google just gives you just a few details that express very little about who you really are. This is the kind of information Google will give you about a potential date. It may be nice for a little background, but it provides a very incomplete picture.

Sticking With Speed Dating

Different people date in different ways, and you have to decide if speed dating works for you. If you had one speed dating experience and found it unsatisfying, try to figure out what you didn't like about it. If you didn't enjoy the format -- too rushed, too many people -- speed dating may not be for you. If you didn't like the people or the setting (or were just having a bad day), you should probably give speed dating another try. Look around at the speed dating options in your area to find a session that you might enjoy.

Dating During A Divorce

Going through a divorce is a difficult time for all parties involved. Often people jump into relationships during a divorce when they are simply not ready. They will try to because they want to feel wanted and needed; however, it is important for them to deal with their past and resolve any issues before moving on. In general, it is not wise to date someone until their divorce is over. This will protect you from unknown issues and problems with ex-spouses, children and potential in-laws.

Advice on Senior Dating: Starting Over

If you're a senior who is just reentering the dating scene, you may be wondering: What are people doing now on dates? Will I be able (and willing) to keep up? While dating has changed over the years, the basic rules are still the same. The first date is still a get-to-know-you proposition. Keep it simple and casual. Plan it around lunch -- a lower pressure meal -- or a fun activity. Either will give you time to talk and get to know each other better. If the idea of that first date still makes you nervous, consider going with another couple or within a group.