Saturday 7

Okay ,for those women out there who go on and on about what men do wrong on dates ...I thought I would make it fair and write about what YOU all do wrong on dates. Mind you...This is not to bash anyone... Just to illustrate some of the guys complaints....

1.Being Late without calling. This used to be my number one pet peeve when I was in the (dating) game.Now, if you’re going to be more than five minutes late for a date and you don’t call or text, it’s a major fail on your part. Showing up late starts the date off terribly and sets a bad tone. It conveys a lack of importance. We prioritize what’s important in our lives by how much time (and money) we dedicate to it. That being said, either aim to arrive on time or just call the moment you realize you’re going to be late. Good manners can go a long way.

2. Dressing inappropriately Real talk: Being underdressed, overdressed or inappropriately dressed translates as being pretentious and phony, not fun or easy. On a date, especially right after work, many girls often forget to dress sexy. Your business causal outfit is not hot. Conversely, don’t wear close to nothing either. Just because a guy is salivating doesn’t mean he “likes” your attire. (Trust me...he'll talk about you later to his boys)Lastly, if the date is an activity like a hike, forgo the heels and mini-dress because you think they look cute. Always dress appropriately for the moment.

3. Poor eye contact and fake smiles- I really hate this.Having poor eye contact and flashing fake smiles send the wrong messages. The saying goes, “Eyes are the windows to our souls.” If you limit eye contact because you’re looking away, you simply don’t look confident in yourself. Also, fake smiles are fairly easy to spot. Give too many inauthentic smiles and you enter the “looks like a stalker” category. Eye contact should be focused on the person with whom you’re talking. Be sure to mix in a few nods and eye blinks. The rule of thumb is short single nods are most effective; it shows that you’re listening. Double or triple nods make it seem as if you’re trying to speed the person up.

4.Phone addictions One of the biggest mistakes made on a date is using your cellphone or placing it on the table and glancing at it every time you get a message...and texting or tweeting or updating your Facebook status every other minute. This can show you are disinterested in your date. When you’re on a date, please keep your cellphone in your purse or pocket. Your date deserves your full attention.

5. Poor manners If you’re rude to others, it shows that you have poor social skills and aren’t a very nice person. Nothing makes a date want to run away like a rude and impolite person. If you’re on your date and the waiter forgot the extra lemon wedges, and before the waiter is out of earshot, you shout “Stupid Mother (shut your mouth…”) That ain’t nice! And, it will make your date wonder how you will treat him or her in a relationship. As in life, when on a date treat everyone the way you would want to be treated. This goes without saying.

6.Talking about your ex- Oh My God...This will put me to sleep faster than a glass of warm milk.By making frequent mentions of your past relationships, you might be conveying that you’re not over your ex. Living in the past is extremely dangerous. If you can’t stop talking about how great the old flame was or how you enjoyed the things you both did, chances are you still wish you were in that moment. Do yourself (and your date) a favor and admit you’re not yet ready for a new relationship

7. Not knowing the B.B.R. (belly button rule) The direction our belly button faces reflects our attitude and our emotional state. When we face our navel toward someone, we’re subconsciously saying we’re interested in the person or the conversation. Face your navel away, and you’re saying “get me the hell out of this.” Most people do not know this rule, so learn and master it, and you’ll be able to better read and control your interactions. Not listening shows disrespect and is the most passive-aggressive form of disrespect. Listen to your date.(This one aint really that deep, but it is the Saturday seven isn't it? Carry On!