Sunday, January 17, 2010

The Speed Dater: Make a Great First Impression

Hey guys,

Welcome to the first edition of The Speed Dater. Every so often, I'm going to examine one aspect of dating and demystify it for you, the socially active guy or gal. If you have a topic you would like discussed, or have any questions, shoot me a message at http://mcgill.speed8.com/contact_form.php

With all that being said, let's get to it!

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is: how can I make a great first impression? You've asked yourself the same thing, I'm sure.

Simply put, making a great first impression is a must. Us humans are biologically trained to make snap judgments and act on them immediately - useful when running away from angry grizzly bears while gathering berries in the forest; not so useful when that perfectly nice boy approaching you forgot to match his shoes to his belt. (Note to guys: yes, girls are THAT perceptive, unfortunately. Here's a good starting point for tips)

The Look

The specific look I choose will vary greatly, but no matter the occasion, what I wear has to satisfy these 3 basic rules:

1)It accentuates your strong points (In my case, I'm a big fan of stripes and slim-fitting shirts because of my height and build)

2)It minimizes your weaker points (I don't look good in baseball caps so I don't usually wear one.)

3)It fits the occasion - We can go a bit further; try dressing a little MORE formal in every setting. You'll like the results.

In addition, make a point of both wearing interesting accessories and noticing those of others - it could be the starting point of a captivating and deep conversation, especially if what you wear has strong personal significance. It could be the ring your Grandmother gave you, or a necklace that your best friend brought back for you on her trip to Tahiti. The wilder and wackier the back story, the better.

Hopefully this goes without saying, but regular showers and hair trims are a must. Equally important are the appropriate use (i.e. not half the spray can) of fragrance and proper grooming (dirty and untrimmed fingernails is ironically the top pet peeve of several girl friends). Chapped lips, scruffy facial hair and bad breath are other things to avoid. Make yourself a little checklist to avoid any hassle.

That's all for today, part 2 coming soon!

Much Love,
THM

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