Dating guides for woman

A new season is the perfect time to meet your sole mate. But remember gents, one should always start off on the right foot. So how do you get the woman of your dreams?

After all, a good soul should know how to recognise a great sole.

1 - Never keep a lady waiting

What was it Alice’s White Rabbit would say.  “I am late, I am late for a very important date….”? In the modern world of cell phones, it can be easy to make loose plans and text if you are running later but just think back to the good old days, when you couldn’t be tardy late otherwise the other person would have just left. Remember one can never make a first impression twice and time waits for no man.

2 - Step away from your phone

Unless you are Tony Stark, an on-call doctor or have a relative in the hospital, there really is no excuse for checking your phone during dinner. At best, it makes you look bored and at worst makes you like an adolescent. Just don’t.

3 - Be gregarious to everyone

Treat every person you encounter on the date, the waiter, the cab driver, the woman who accidently bumped your chair. How you are around others is an utterly accurate indicator of your truer self and trust us, she’ll be watching you every step you take, every move you make…

4 - Open the door for her

Sure, this sounds like simple advice, but you’d be surprised how many a fair maiden has had the door slammed in her face. Honourable men used to hold the door open for anyone, regardless of gender. Perhaps we’re old-fashioned, but let us not let this etiquette slip in the modern era. Yes, you can still believe in gender equality and hold the door open for a lady. It’s not sexist, it’s just common courtesy.

5 - Err on the side of caution whilst drinking

If in doubt, stick to the golden two motto. No more than two drinks. Of course, one wants to loosen one’s pre-jitters with a glass, but any more than two and you’re in the danger zone. When you hopefully kiss her goodnight, the last impression you want to leave her with doesn’t include boozer’s breath

6 - Wait for her to eat before you do

It might go unnoticed if you wait for her plate to arrive before you tuck into your own. But if you do start before here, a little mental cross will be scored in her mind. It’s just plain bad manners to eat before her. Simon Sineck has a fantastic talk on why leaders should eat last and unconsciously the same rules apply in dating.

7 – Listen to her

There is nothing worse that someone who uses the time someone else is speaking to interrupt with their own grandiose anecdote to impress. Far more impressive is to actually listen to her. Charming people understand instinctively the importance of making someone feel special. Good conversation is defined as two people taking turns in talking and listening. It’s astonishing how many people don’t take the time to actually listen. You have two ears. Use them.

8 - Be creative about where you take her

Location, location, location. Where you choose to go on the date says volumes about you. It shows your level of creativity and originality. And who doesn’t want to be the guy who swept her off her feet with an experience of a lifetime? Ok we’re not talking as grand as Richard Gere in Pretty Women chartering a private jet to take Julia Roberts to the opera in Italy. But a little thought and planning will make all the difference.

9 - Always walk her home or get her a cab

Although nothing is as important as the first date, the respect you show her at the end will be the last thing she thinks about before going to sleep that night. Go on, make your mother proud. 

10 - Text her once you arrive home.

Regardless of how well the date went, as a matter of courtesy and on principle, one should always message once you arrive home.

11 - Wear good shoes. Obviously.

You don’t just need the statistics to tell you that one of the first things a potential partner judges a man on, is his shoes. Although of course depending on your date location, most women admit to prefer a gentleman to wear classic shoes on a first date, so if in doubt an Oxford or Derby is your safest bet. For less formal occasions you can’t put a foot wrong in the ‘92 model, a dress shoe sneaker which is the perfect smart casual hybrid. 

And one last piece of advice gentlemen… as set out in Undandy Way #36, Tender is always better than Tinder…

Here’s to good health, good principles and above all – good shoes