Dating

Many of you attended a party or two during Halloween weekend. If you met someone you found interesting and would like to see him again, how do you follow up? Do you Facebook friend him, call him, or wait until he makes contact?

There are many “rules” for dating protocol here, created mostly for the sake of keeping a guy interested. I’m not a big fan of rules. I prefer taking chances. After all, risk can equal reward, right? Here are a few things to bear in mind when deciding whether to make the next move.

First, consider how you left things with your love interest. Did he say he would call you, or did you agree to more firm plans? If you parted ways by leaving him your phone number, it’s up to him to call. But don’t sit around and wait for it---keep attending networking mixers and online dating. Keeping yourself busy helps you keep your perspective. Remember, even if you liked him, there are plenty of other guys out there if he isn't for you.

Did you know that your dating preferences are often determined by strangers? While according to a new research it can be. In a Indiana University study of 80 people with half being women (and obviously the other half being men) it was found that overall if someone is considered attractive by someone else of the same sex, your attraction for that person will most likely increase. This will only happen once you find out about this attraction though. This observation was the same for both men and women.

On the flip side, interest in the person would subside if it was found that other people were not as attracted to the person. The study was conducted in part by allowing the participants to watch 8 speed dating sessions.

For more on the story, read the US News.

Don’t signal the waiter for the check

You might be on a date and having a terrible time. When that happens, you want to leave as soon as possible. But, just because the date isn’t going well doesn’t mean you should hurt his feelings by asking for the check. No matter how bad the date is, the guy doesn’t deserve to be left mid-meal.

Don’t be irritating and ask for a different table

Don’t you hate it when you are seated in the back at a bad table? I certainly do. However, there’s no excuse that allows you to change tables. You don’t want your date to think you are extremely difficult, so stay where you are.

Don’t order something too expensive

If you choose the most expensive entree on the menu, your date is going to get the wrong idea. He might even think you’re after his money. You don’t want him to be offended and think you are rude. So, order something reasonably priced. Your date will silently thank you when the check comes.

Using Facebook as a dating tool can be complicated if you do not watch what you doing. In many ways it's great, especially in the beginning. You have all these friends, and friends of friends that can vouch for you that you are a great guy or gal. This makes meeting people easy to do.

There is also a downside to using Facebook like a dating site. Here are 3:

1. Relationships and Breakups Are Public

The main problem with Facebook and dating is, it is public. Sure you can now hide information from your friends and dates but it can get extremely complicated to do with all the privacy rules which only a dedicated Facebook expert is going to know how to use. Every step of a relationship on Facebook is public from changing your relationship status (and hoping your partner reciprocates) to the banter that goes back and forth between people who have just discovered love. On the other end, breakups are just as public and can lead to some embarrassing moments for all involved.

No one is perfect. If we were all flawless, dating wouldn’t be as fun. I know I make a million mistakes on dates and I share them with my girlfriends so we can all laugh about them afterwards. Half the fun of dating is the stories you get to tell your friends.

1. Stay Away From Your Phone

The biggest mistake women make on a date is using their cell phones. When you’re on a date, your cell phone should stay in your bag. A guy doesn't want to sit across from you if you’re on your phone the entire time. He wants your full attention.

2. No One Cares About Your Ex

Sometimes women talk about their ex-boyfriends too much. You’re in the present, so focus on it. Your date wants to learn about you, he doesn’t care about your ex-boyfriends. If you want a future with someone, avoid bringing up your previous relationships.

3. Don’t Eat Like A Bird

When you go on a date, don’t order a salad. Men like women who enjoy eating. An appetite is sexy. When you order a salad on a date, you send out the wrong signal. Salads are like beans. They’re okay to eat when you’re alone or with a friend, but not on a date.

Want a green date? No, not the color. The practice, silly! Green dating is making a huge upsurge in the online dating and dating scenes in general What's there to know about the green dating scene? We'll tell you!

As reported by USA Today, green dating is creating a significant influx into therapists offices nationwide as couples spat over eco-friendly matters. Wild salmon versus farmed, buying energy offsets or carbon footprint be damned, there are a plethora of eco-sexual issues facing today's couple.

If you're interested in meeting someone with the same eco-bent as you, you can visit green dating sites like EcoDater, Green Singles and Earth Wise Singles. Planet Green even has a green dating quiz you can take to find out if you're a Great Green Date. If you're of the eco-friendly bent, you can even get out and meet like-minded singles with groups like Green Drinks International and Meet Market Adventures. Nationwide groups like Meetup.com also offer a great way for the eco-sexual to get out and find someone who feeds their need for green. In a hurry? NPR offered a great story on speed green dating with their piece Finding Carbon-Neutral Love.

If relocation is in you future, don't forget to check out the top list of green cities. From recycling practices to air qualities, this list puts the nitty gritty out there for your green dating pleasure. Another cool tool for your next green date is the Green Restaurant Association - take your eco-sexy to a whole new level and wow your date so he or she is green with envy of your resourcefulness.

Bottom line? If your eco-sensitive ways are essential to your search for the perfect mate, there are a bevy of online resources to help you like green, date green and stay green once you've found that special someone!