First Date Do's & Don'ts

My featured article: http://theteentrends.com/date-dos-donts/

First dates are always nerve racking!!! Whether or not you know the person you’re seeing, it doesn’t make a difference. Initial meetings have the ability to make anyone feel a bit anxious when it comes to matters such as dating and relationships. The 3 things we secretly hope for on a first date are:  to be liked, to not embarrass ourselves, and lastly- to get the coveted second date. By following these Do’s & Don’ts on a first date, you can bet that you’ll be seeing them again!

DO'S

1. Be yourself.

2. Be on time. 

3. If you’re going on a blind date, meaning you haven’t met the person yet, agree to meet them someplace public. Do not give them your address…just yet. Safety first!

4. Be courteous and polite.

5. Hold back from giving your honest opinion on everything. You never know how your date will react to your candidness.

6. Offer to pay for your portion of the date. Do not expect that your date will pay unless they’ve specifically said they would…always 

be prepared to offer.

7. In case you have to contact someone during the date, make sure your cell phone is with you and charged. Carry change for a payphone if need be.

8. Have an exit plan if the date is making you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. For example, “I need to get home” or “I have an early day tomorrow”. In short, a polite way to excuse yourself.

9. Carry gum or mints with you. There’s nothing worse than bad breath on a date, especially your first.

10. If you enjoyed yourself and hope to see the person again, let them know your interest in a second date. You could try saying, “I had a great time”, or “I hope we do this again”.

DON'TS

1. Never be late- unless you have a legitimate reason to be. Inform your date if you know you will be running behind schedule.

2. Do not be impolite to your date or anyone you come across while out. Keep in mind that you don’t have a second chance to 

make a first impression.

3. Honesty is an admirable quality, but being blatantly honest could backfire on you- as well as ensure that there’ll never be a second date.

4. Don’t forget your wallet; never assume that your date will foot the bill. Today, the common and polite gesture is known as, “going Dutch”. Which means both persons pay for themselves.

5. Don’t forget your cell phone. If the two of you are meeting someplace, you have to be able to reach each other.

6. If you’re of legal age to drink- do NOT get drunk. Having a drink at dinner is acceptable, but getting drunk to the point where you cannot drive is shameful.

7. Don’t kiss on the first date (at least not on the lips). I like to think I’m traditional, so a hug or even a kiss on the cheek is appropriate.

8. If you didn’t have as great of a time as you hoped, and you don’t foresee a second date- don’t say, “I’ll call you”- if you have no intention of doing so. A simple “thank you for tonight” will suffice.

Hopefully you made it out of the date unscathed and have already made plans to see them again. If you followed the suggestions, then all the better. Congrats!

8 Signs To Know You're in Love

My featured article: http://theteentrends.com/8-signs-love/

My love, Joey and I in Cancun 

Knowing you're in love doesn't always come easy. For most teens, falling in love is something you haven't yet experienced. And with nothing to compare it to, it's nearly impossible to know if you are or aren't. In an effort to help you decipher those uncertainties, I've created a list that I hope will answer, "Am I in love? Or aren't I?"

• A good sign of knowing if you are in love is if you get butterflies. We're talking about the excited, anticipation butterflies. Not the nervous, second thought ones! Those are 2 completely different kinds. If you've got the kind that make your heart beat just a little bit faster, it's usually a good sign. It lets you know that your mate is someone who means more to you than just a friend.

• Having shared qualities is also a good indicator. Qualities might include honesty, loyalty, open communication and the ever important, respect. This means respect for yourselves, each other, and every one else. 

• Feeling comfortable with and around your partner is a crucial sign too. If you aren't completely comfortable in the relationship, then chances are you aren't truly being yourself either. Love requires honesty.

• Do you laugh and have fun with each other with ease? If so, your love meter just rose a little higher. The ability to have a good time with each other no matter the circumstance, is a true judge of compatibility. If you both can make a rainy day stuck inside feel like an outdoor adventure, then you might just have a keeper.

• Some people say that the best relationships come from friendships. I couldn't agree more. Having a true and sincere friendship with the person you're with is another great sign that it could be love.

• Another way to be sure is by the amount of time you find yourself thinking about the other person. If you find that your boyfriend or girlfriend is a constant thought, especially if you just talked to or saw them- count that as another sign. People or things that are important to us, tend to be the things that are at the forefront of our minds. 

• In a relationship, it isn't necessary to love EVERYTHING that your mate loves, but it is important to like some of the same things. Sharing interests, morals and goals are all indicators of that four letter word.

• Lastly, how each of you handle things when or if they get tough is a sure sign. Are you both willing to talk it through to make things work? Or do you each play the blame game? If you answered yes to the first question, I'd say you have a strong shot at love. Being able to communicate while experiencing a rough patch, shows dedication and respect. And if you've got someone who won't easily give up, then you've definitely got something special.

Not all matches turn out to be love, and that's okay. Finding someone worthy of your love takes time, but hopefully you'll both be lucky enough one day to experience some of the signs. Good luck! 

10 Flirting Tips

My article: http://theteentrends.com/10-flirting-tips/

Ever find yourself at a loss for words around your crush? Well- whether you're new to flirting or a seasoned vet, these 10 tips are sure to help you break the ice. 

Make Eye Contact

Every relationship involves and requires eye contact. However, when it comes to flirting and being successful at it- eye contact is of the utmost importance! If you want to grab your crush's attention- look them in the eyes. Doing so not only conveys your interest, but your confidence as well. 

Have a Good Opening Line

The next time a flirtatious moment presents itself, go for it with this tip. Try using their name and asking how their day is going. Speaking directly to a person lets them know that they have your attention, and hopefully that will segue into a more in depth conversation with your crush. 

Strike up a conversation

What you say next should be a general comment or question about the situation you're both currently in. If you have a class together, come up with a question regarding an assignment or the class. For example, "Have you picked a topic for your presentation yet? I'm doing ___ ".

Compliment The Person

Pick one thing you like about their appearance such as their hair, their smile or an article of clothing. Let them know in a friendly way how much you like it. It'll make them feel good and more likely to open up to you. (*If you can't think of anything to say for tip #2, a compliment will do). 

Smile

A little smile goes a long way. A happy face is more inviting than a frowning one; which is the message you want to send while flirting anyway, right? Look like you actually enjoy talking to and/or being around them. Be sure to throw them a smile whenever appropriate. If they shoot one back, you'll know that they like talking to and/or being around you too.

Flirt With Your Body

This doesn't mean throw yourself at the person. Body language can be as important if not more important than what you say. Make sure to use good posture, point your body toward the person and try to find excuses to touch them. I.e., a subtle brush of the arm or a lingering touch on the shoulder.

Keep It Light

Chances are you'll get a better response if you chat about fun, happy stuff (like your new puppy) rather than serious or sad stuff (like when your puppy got hit by a train). The point of flirting isn't to bare your soul or share your honest opinions about everything. Instead it's to open the door to lots more conversations down the road. 

Beware of Awkward Silences

Once the conversation drags, it's probably gone for good. Fill an awkward silence by asking the other person a question. Can't think of one? Ask about something specific to them or something regarding your surroundings (like a painting on the wall or the music that's playing). Try to keep them engaged and talking. If they're not responsive, that's usually a good indicator to wrap things up. 

Wrap It Up

If you're not interested in talking anymore, politely find an excuse to part ways. If you are interested, give them a way to get in touch with you- like your phone number or Facebook name. This is hopefully just the first conversation of many, so save some of that charm for the next time.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Let's face it, no one's perfect at flirting the first time around. If the idea of flirting still gives you butterflies, don't worry- it just means that you need more practice. The more you flirt, the easier it'll get.

Remember, flirting is just a fun way to see how well you vibe with a person. It doesn't seal your fate with someone as a full-fledged couple, nor does it deem you a romantic and social outcast. Take your time and have fun with it. If all else fails, refer to the tips above. Who knows what will come of your next flirtatious encounter?