http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/society/dating/great-first-date-ideas.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/dating/great-first-date-ideas.html Sun, 10 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Comedy Theater
Laughing together can break the ice better than anything else. Take in a comedy show and relax together whilst you giggle away the evening. Just avoid too much alcohol or offensive performers.

Billiards
If you’re looking for a casual way to relate to each other and break the ice, try a friendly game of pool. Eight Ball is simple to understand, and if things really go well, you might be able to help her improve her break.

Miniature Golf
So eighteen holes would be a bit much for almost any date, but ten holes of putt-putt might be right up your alley. Nobody does exceptionally well at miniature golf, but it is always fun to play –especially if you cheat a little bit every now and then. Let those secrets help bring you closer.

Dinner Theater
There is nothing wrong with dinner and show, but try a show that sizzles. Skip the cinema, and find a quality dinner theater. Watch professionals act without the assistance of computer animated special effects whilst you enjoy a meal together. The arts are always an excellent choice.

Coffee
There is no need to sign away your entire evening to a first date. Start small. Try meeting for coffee just to size each other up. If a coffee date goes well, extend the date by heading off for grander adventures together.

Concert
While a heavy metal concert might not be the best place to try and get to know each other, a concert in the park or jazz festival might be perfect. Appreciate music together and have a basis for continuous conversation.

Museum
Who says a date can’t be educational? Enjoy an art or history museum and learn together. If you haven’t visited a museum lately, you might be amazed at the exhibits available.

Picnic
Picnics can be romantic or casual, and for a first date you should shoot for the latter. Grab a few basics and head out to the park or beach. Enjoying a meal out of doors is relaxing and a perfect opportunity to get to know each other better.

Botanical Garden
Surround yourself in natural beauty at botanical gardens. Quiet strolls through rose bushes and koi ponds offer a sense of peace and tranquility. It would not be advisable to pick any of the flowers for your date, but you can certainly bring along a camera and take pictures together.

Ice Cream
Are you not ready to commit to a full-scale date? Try something simple like ice cream. Find a good ice cream shop and let yourself go wild. Diets don’t exist on first dates, so get an extra scoop and then enjoy the afternoon together as you stroll and visit.




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Ron Zvagelsky has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2006. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of PlanJam.com First Date Idea and Romantic Date Ideas-- a new interactive planning website.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/dating/increasing-your-odds-at-the-bar.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/dating/increasing-your-odds-at-the-bar.html Mon, 31 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0500
If the goal is to catch food in order to survive, the lion was successful because he went after what he knew he could catch. The fastest of the gazelle’s is used to the advances of the lion and is quick to react. The lion knows that if he chases that prized gazelle, he will be passing up all the other gazelle in the process…so he lets it go. But in the end, even the fastest gazelle will eventually fall victim to a swifter and more cunning adversary


Its a Lose-Lose Situation

Now imagine you’re hanging out at the local bar. Whether you’re in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, or Vermillion…the setup is always the same. The women are concentrated towards the center of any location while the men hover eagerly around the periphery.

Women don’t go out to the bars alone, there are always going to be at least 2 or 3 friends along with them. As the women get comfortable around the center, the men will encircle them and slowly come in for the kill. But unlike the cunning lion, they prey on the most attractive women in the bar. Like clockwork, there will always be a woman that is clearly more attractive than all of her friends. Each man will make his approach at the attractive female, and one by one, they will all be rejected.

Just like the quickest gazelle, the attractive woman is used to these advances and even the cleverest approach has already been anticipated. By chasing the most attractive female, that male has automatically lost out on winning over her friends.

It’s not rocket science

Actually, its Game Theory economics—John Nash won a Nobel Prize for this. Nash states that rational self-interest hurts everyone, and instead, everyone wins through cooperative games. So if you’re out with a couple friends at a bar and you see that one attractive woman hanging around, remember that she has probably been hit on the entire night and already eluded some of the best. Sure we want the most attractive catch, but remember that there is only one of them and many of you. If everyone goes after the one girl, nobody will win because each will attempt to undermine the other. On the contrary, if you decide to go for her friends instead, everyone can come out a winner in the end.

Think about it.




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Ron Zvagelsky has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2006. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of PlanJam.com - Fun and romantic first date ideas-- a new interactive planning website.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/dating/best-and-worst-date-movies-of-all-time.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/dating/best-and-worst-date-movies-of-all-time.html Tue, 18 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0500
The Golden Rule: Do not go to the movies on the first date. I can not stress this enough. The first date is all about getting to know each other and the movie theater is the last place you'll be able to do that.

The Movie Rental: If you want to watch a movie and your budget is a little tight, consider renting a movie and taking it back home with you. Ten years ago going to a movie would have been affordable, but things have changed. Admission to a film is about $11 and some theaters even offer luxury seating now which can run you a whopping $15 per ticket. Now factor in the cost of drinks ($10), popcorn ($5), candy ($5), and parking ($2). All of a sudden you can find yourself spending upwards of $50 for a movie.

For about a fifth of the cost you can enroll in programs such as NetFlix which allow you to rent an unlimited amount of movies for a low monthly price and no late fees. You simply select the movie you want and they will be mailed to you in a few days. Once you're finished watching them, simply place them in the prepaid envelope and ship them back. It's really that simple.

Watching a movie at home has several advantages:

You can start and stop the movie whenever you like

Talk your heart away since nobody will be there to shush you

You can rent classic or critically acclaimed films which you know are good

And best of all, it only costs about $5


Here are some films for your consideration that are sure to go over well with your date...


BEST FILMS TO RENT - All Genres (No Particular Order)


Ghost (ROMANCE - 1990 - Starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg): Ghost is the story of love beyond death...a love endures all type of film. It is why you have to tell people that you love them all the time, because you never know what can happen tomorrow. Ghost shows us that true love is timeless and has no boundaries. The movie has it all: romance, action, and comedy (courtesy of Whoppie Goldberg as Oda Mae Brown). The film is not without its flaws but it is successful at conveying its message and leaving you with a sense of satisfaction.


The Notebook (ROMANCE - 2004 - Starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling): The Notebook is a contemporary love story and a favorite with many women. Adapted from the best selling novel, the film tells the story of two "star struck" lovers from different sides of the track. Sound familiar? The movie is about love at first sight...the type of love that you carry with you wherever you go and regardless of the circumstances. The type of love that stays with you throughout your life and doesn't let you forget.


My Cousin Vinny (COMEDY - 1992 - Starring Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei): When two young men are convicted of a crime they didn't commit, it's up to Joe Pesci (playing a hysterical role as the argumentative attorney from New York) to save them from being sent to the electric chair. My Cousin Vinny is a well written and clever comedy that is sure to be a hit. Marisa Tomei does an incredible job as Joe Pesci fiance; she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.


The Shinning (HORROR - 1980 - Starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall): If you're into horror, this movie is a must. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, and adapted from the Steven King novel, The Shinning is by far one of the best horror films ever made. Unlike modern horror films, there are no predictable scares, deformed people hiding in the hills, blood thirsty zombies, or girls that decide to stay in the house while a killer is on the phone. Instead, Kubrick brilliantly combines cinematography, music, and sound to create this masterpiece of horror. Keep an eye on the boy...this film gave birth to the over-used emotionless child with ESP so common today (examples include The Sixth Sense, The Ring, The Ring Two, The Grudge, Godsend, Hide & Seek, and even the Got Milk commercial).


A Clockwork Orange(SCIENCE FICTION - 1971 - Starring Malcolm McDowell): Adapted for the screen by Stanley Kubrick, A Clockwork Orange is one of the few films ever made that is able to evoke each and every emotion a human being is capable of having. The movie is a genuine masterpiece; it's so good that there is nothing anyone can really write that will do this film justice. Be warned in advance that just like any fine piece of art, this film isn't for everyone. Those who are able to appreciate the film and its underlying message will undoubtedly question every film they have ever seen.


WORST FILMS TO RENT

Let's face it guys, we love action and we don't need a plot. If it's fast paced, bloody, and has lots of guns we love it. Unfortunately, our dates don't always feel the same way. This actually brings me to my next point and film; if a date ever tells you that her favorite movie of all time is Bloodsport, marry her!


Bloodsport(ACTION - 1988 - Starring Jean Claude Van Damme): I for one love this movie...watching JCVD (Jean Claude Van Damme) do his "deaf touch" and having Chong Li say "Brick Don't Hit Back" was awesome. But the problem is that if I watched this on a date, it would probably end before the opening credits are over. The same goes for all of our other JCVD favorites such as Kickboxer, Lionheart, and Hard Target. You can actually use these movies to end a date on purpose, but that's another discussion and another time.


What does this have to do with PlanJam?

At PlanJam, our goal is to help you plan everyday things, and this includes Dating. Every week I will feature great date movie, both new and old, at the video store or in theaters; so check back often! If you're looking for an alternative to your typical dinner and a movie, take a look at our Going on a Date section. Our easy-to-use interface allows you to custom build your own date based on five different themes, cuisine type, and even extra's such as frozen yogurt or cookies.



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Ron Zvagelsky has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2006. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of PlanJam.com, -- a new interactive planning website.



Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/dating/going-in-for-the-goodnight-kiss.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/dating/going-in-for-the-goodnight-kiss.html Tue, 18 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Body language is a great way to tell if they're into you. Lets begin by looking at some of the things women do that show they're interested during the conversation:

Playing with and/or twirling hair (this is a tough one and can be confused with a simple case of OCD)

Raising their shoulders straight up and leaning towards you

Hands are open with her palms facing up and outwards

Lots of giggling


You know she's interterested...now what?

It's time to go in for a kiss. Since she's in to you, there will be many opportunities throughout the night to make your move. If you wait until the last minute and hesitate (at the door or end of the date), you pretty much lost your chance. So be on the safe side and try to do it about midway through the date.


So what if you're not sure?

Just go for it! What's the worst that can happen...they say no? You have everything to gain and nothing to lose; you'll probably never see them again anyways.


Here are three different approaches to the goodnight kiss:

Silent: Making eye contact and then leaning in about 90% of the way

Polite: Asking them if it's alright to give them a kiss

Brave: Telling them that they have nice lips and asking if you could kiss them


So you chicken out...now what?

Nothing. Opportunities come and go...it really comes down to the person and how they choose to handle the situation. Some people can care less, while others take it harder. But the worst is when you regret not going in for the kiss when you know you should have. It happens to us all...we meet someone we really hit it off with or maybe a friend we always had the biggest crush on but never the nerve to let them know. Before you know it they're gone; it's like clockwork, they either meet someone or move across the country. And in the end all you're left with are those two dreaded words, what if?



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Ron Zvagelsky has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2006. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of PlanJam.com -- a new interactive planning website.



Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>