Sooner or later everyone faces these types of moments:

The realm of romance is full of those moments of 20/20 hindsight—you know, where you think, “I should have said…” or “Oh, if only I’d asked my date about…” And it’s also packed with those times when you sit and ponder, “He said this, but was he really trying to tell me something else?” Break out of the wishing-and-wondering habit and learn how to communicate really effectively on a date. How?

This article includes highlights of a chat with Laurie Puhn, communication expert and best-selling author of Instant Persuasion. Here are a couple of Questions and Answers for you to get an idea but the article has many more:

Q: As a man, what is the best way to make a first connection in a public place—say, at a restaurant?
A: If you're randomly approaching someone, you want to smile, say something about the restaurant or place you're in, or why you like it. She is there so obviously she likes it too, so you'll have something to talk about.

Q: I can't seem to get past the first date! I think I make a good impression and chat easily. What am I doing wrong?
A: A major mistake daters make is that they complain while on a date. They might complain about their job or their family or their friends. They think this makes them look open and honest and interesting, but it actually persuades people to dislike them because they are pessimistic. Think about whether you might, unintentionally, be this type of complainer.

Tags: dating, singles