Hello Ladies! I know that sometimes the dating world can ultimately feel like a huge guessing game. It seems that only if you are a skilled game player will you win the awesome gentleman behind door number 2. Allow me to equip you with some pointers that will make your dating life successful rather then a game of chance.

Recently, a young woman named Kat wrote me about the laws of dating.

Kat’s question:
“If you exchange phone numbers with a guy, do you call the guy first or do you wait till he calls you? How long do you wait till you call him?”

Juliette’s answer:
Funny you should ask that Kat, I just watched SWINGERS for the first time last night, a great movie about the male mind if you ask me, but anyway, they discussed this very topic. They argued that a person should wait 2 days, or maybe 3. Then the male lead made the mistake of calling the girl he had just met that night at 2:30am and left a series of desperate messages. What can we learn from this? Although, there is no hard and fast rule for which sex should make the call, or how long one should wait, you do want to let the situation breathe a little bit. Wait until the next day at least and at a reasonable hour. This gives you time to get the nerves out of your system a little bit while still making the person feel valued. I personally know that if a guy waited 3 days to call me, I’d already be on to the next. Give it a little time, but not too much!

Kat’s question:
“Should you play hard to get or no?”

Juliette’s answer:
Oh girl, the key word in that sentence is “play”. Never play games. Sure, they can bring instant and temporary gratification sometimes, meaning that the guy may play along in the moment. Yet, ultimately you will wind up in a relationship that is phony and manipulative. Wouldn’t you rather just know what a person was thinking and be able to openly communicate your thoughts as well? If you like someone, it is a balance. You don’t want to appear needy or desperate, but don’t pretend you don’t like them either. Be friendly and be available. Flirting goes a long way. I honestly believe if a guy is into you, he WILL ask you out, especially if he knows you are a sweet girl who won’t play games.

Kat’s question:
“Can you email the guy you like first or should you wait for him to email you first?”

Juliette’s answer:
Again Kat, there is no exact rule for this. Find your own personal balance. I know it weirds me out if I meet a person and that same day they contact me, but the next day is great. Everyone has their own comfort levels though which is why this isn’t something you can make a science out of. Do what feels right, make sure it’s not coming out of a place of desperation, and then send a brief “it was night to meet you” email. If he is into you, he’ll respond. But if you decide to be pursued, that’s okay too. Again, do what feels right to you.

Thanks for your great questions Kat and I encourage all of you curious ladies out there to email me at juliette@girlsguidetodating.com.

Juliette’s Question: What are the best places to go on a date?
Alissa’s Answer: Free movies at Bryant park, Chelsea Piers.
Having a picnic outdoors or going somewhere historical.

Hello there fabulous Ladies! I know after a few dates, you most likely want to avoid the cliché dinner-and-a-movie date, so consider hitting the high seas! Well, okay, not the high seas per se, but the lovely Loeb Boathouse at Central Park. No, maybe it wont be as adventurous as white water rafting in the mountains of Aspen (which I have done before and highly recommend for a date another day!), but it will be ridiculously romantic on its own accord. You and your date will truly escape the big city feel for a couple of hours as you peacefully float around the serene pond striking up great conversation.

After a little canoe canoodling, venture over to the Boathouse restaurant to enjoy a little fine dining. But, if you are really feeling extravagant take a peek at the menu at Central Park’s famous Tavern On the Green restaurant. Check out my video below and see why this day of fun in the sun is sure to be so romantic you may hope to get lost at sea!

Not in NY? Check out some other great parks recommended by Citysearch in other cities around the US:

Atlanta, Centennial Olympic Park
Boston, Boston Common
Chicago, Lincoln Park
Denver, City Park
Los Angeles, Griffith Park
San Francisco, Golden Gate Park

Juliette’s Question: What are the best places to go on a date?
Kirk’s Answer: Get to know her, so you can take her somewhere that interests her.

Juliette: Well said Kirk!