Is Whisky The New Gold?

Why Limited-Edition Whisky Is Suddenly The Biggest Status Symbol

 

 

"Whether it's a $250 pour of The John Walker at a high-end bar or a $1,250 bottle of The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1973 for your own shelves, whisky has attained the "portable luxury" status of jewelry or watches."

If flying wingsuit YouTube videos are any indication, humans crave the new and extreme. That quest for chart-topping experiences may go a long way toward explaining the current thirst among whisky drinkers for rare blends and limited-edition vintage cask releases.

Demand for limited releases has increased sharply over the past few years. Last month, Bowmore (a peat-smoked Islay whisky) released a 12-bottle limited-edition Bowmore 1957, a "truly exceptional cask" set aside in 1995. One of the 12 (each featuring a hand-blown bottle and platinum stopper) was put up for auction October 10th, with a reserve price of about $160,000.
The Dalmore unveiled its 21-bottle Constellation Collection of individual vintages for $200,000. Macallan launched the third in its Masters of Photography collection, pairing original works from Annie Leibovitz with four special cask-strength whiskies for $2,750 a bottle. Four customized Macallan 1949 bottles from the brand's Fine and Rare Collection, each with a one-of-a-kind gallery-sized Leibovitz print, sell for $25,000 a bottle. Finally, The Glenrothes, a Speyside region distillery, discovered a few long-lost casks, unveiling a 1970 expression (limited to 179 bottles and dubbed "The Extraordinary Cask") at $5,000 per bottle.

"For many years, Glenrothes was known as a 'top dressing' single malt, used in blends because of its remarkable quality," David King, president of Anchor Distilling, which now owns and operates the distillery, said during a New York launch event for "The Extraordinary." "In 1994, we began setting aside 2% of our stock to make single malt under the Glenrothes name, so we really had very little from before that." An independent broker realized he had about 20 barrels of varying vintages tucked away, and offered them to the distillery. "We were delighted," says King. "Tonight, you are drinking a little bit of history," he said.

Why the fascination with these special releases? In the end, isn't it all just whisky?

It's Cheaper than a Lambo

"The guys in Vegas and New York get it," says King. "They want to do something fun and rare. It's a little slice of luxury, and luxury is more and more about experiences, rather than simply owning the shiniest toy." Whether it's a $250 pour of The John Walker at a high-end bar or a $1,250 bottle of The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1973 for your own shelves, whisky has attained the "portable luxury" status of jewelry or watches.

"It's become a pretty popular thing to come in and say at least you've had a shot of The John Walker," according to Ray Nisi, owner of the Double Helix Wine & Whiskey Bar in Las Vegas.

It's Damn Good Juice

In many cases, the rare stuff actually is extraordinarily good (at least to hardcore whisky fans). Rachel Barrie, Bowmore's new master blender, waxes poetic about the 1957: "It's an otherworldly liqueur," she says. "There's no other aroma like it on earth. It's a moment in time, captured in a bottle." Likewise, Nisi says of The John Walker (which retails for about $4,500), a special expression of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, "It's hard to compare to anything else, because of the depth of its smoothness and smokiness, and the long, long finish." Nisi is quick to point out that age doesn't always equate to higher quality, and that you should drink what you like.

It's An Actual Rarity

Unlike an expensive unaged spirit (say, vodka or silver tequila), a single cask of vintage whisky can't be reproduced. Barrie -- who is crafting innovative new expressions for Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch -- notes: "Depending on the barley, and how we blend and age the whisky, there are something over 400 different aromatics that come through."

"It's like a rare wine," says Nisi. "Once they're gone, they're gone." King agrees: "At the Glenrothes, we've really struggled with finding enough old stock. We've never really had a huge amount of aged stock." 

 

Investment Potential

The concept of investment-grade whisky is increasingly popular and is no doubt an incentive in producing ever-more opulent whiskies. "These rare bottles of whisky are rapidly becoming a hot commodity in the alternative investment market, often outperforming luxury goods such as gold and diamonds," according to The Dalmore's rare whisky director David Robertson of the Constellation Collection.

"It's tricky," says Macallan's Ken Grier, director of malts. "We certainly don't make product designed simply to sit behind glass cabinets. That said, I've invested more of my own money in Macallan products than practically anything else."

Investment-grade whiskies are still a work in progress as a concept. The Bowmore 1957 failed to meet its reserve price of $160,000 at the October 10th auction (bidding rose to $136,000 before the hammer fell).

Whisky Fans Geek Out

A Macallan 25 or Johnnie Walker Blue Label is an excellent "destination" whisky. But more and more, whisky drinkers are expanding their horizons and their collections.

More bars are boasting extensive whisky collections and innovative tasting "flights," like Vegas' Double Helix with some 200 different whiskies, bourbons and ryes, or the new Flatiron Room in New York City, where the collection of labels and expressions approaches 400. If you like, you can buy a bottle of anything on hand at the Flatiron Room, and set it aside in a special locker for future visits.

The Elephant In The Room: Status

Throughout East Asia and on Wall Street, rare whiskies are increasingly becoming a symbol of economic rank. Open a bottle at a client dinner or gift one, and you're well on your way to closing the deal. This strategy can backfire, according to some. At many nightclubs, exclusive bottlings of well-known Cognacs are popular for bottle service, but one Chicago purveyor of fine wines and spirits says much of what is going on is "marketing and posturing. The brands might pay lip service, but it becomes more about the increasingly stunning bottle, and less about the cognac inside."

Some Cheaper Options For You Paupers...

If you left your millions in your other pants, you can still score excellent limited-edition whiskies that won't break the bank:

Auchentoshan Valinch 1999 Bordeaux Cask Matured: Scotland's only triple-distilled malt whisky released this intriguing vintage last year. Sweet, creamy and complex, non-chill filtered and cask strength, it provides an intriguing departure from many cask-strength whiskies and arrives at a wallet-pleasing $70.

Aberlour 12-year Non-Chill Filtered: Most Scotch whiskies are chill filtered to reduce the cloudiness that happens when Scotch is allowed to sit. Chill this, add water and let new release from this Speyside distillery sit for a bit, and watch it turn a hazy pilsner yellow, thanks to non-soluble fatty acids. Perfect for pairing with pork dishes or lazy outdoor evenings. About $70

Glenrothes 1978: Another special vintage release showcased during the 1970 Extraordinary launch event, the whisky is big and bold, with notes of spice, pepper and apricot, with an earthy, spicy nose. At $695, it's a good deal cheaper than the $5,000 1970, and is truly delicious.

Johnny Walker King George V Edition: On its release, this limited release invoking the blending style marketed in the 1930s during the reign of King George V sold for about $600. Though the release is no longer on the open market, search hard enough and you may find a bargain.

Credit : Ask Men

 

The Types Of Women You’ll Encounter In The Club

With the success of last week’s article “The Types of Men You’ll Encounter in Clubs”, you knew we had to shift the attention to the other side of the spectrum and bring you the opposing types of women you will encounter. Of course, there are many different types of women that go to nightclubs, and we can’t possibly name them all, but we certainly have composed a list of the major categories for our readers.

We also took the initiative to give you the breakdown of how successful you will be in taking her on a ride of her life on the southbound 1NS train. (1 Night Stand).

The Birthday Girl

First and foremost, we must start with the most common and guaranteed girl to be in a nightclub on any given weekend: the birthday girl. This girl is of course celebrating her birthday with her closest friends and is a guaranteed sloppy mess, as she will keep binging until she is utterly incapacitated and unable to stand because it’s her special day. You will most likely see her donning a tiara on her head or wearing expensive shoes that she received as a recent gift. Safe to say, this is the best this girl will look all year.

Success Rate:  35%. If you happen to know her, it will be a lot easier to take her home. If she currently lacking a male companion she is most likely looking for birthday sex.


The Socialite

This is haughty prude that thinks she’s too good for everyone. You know, that one self righteous, pompous broad that everyone is coming up to say hello to. She is most likely in a bitchy mood without reason and is certainly the most fraudulent girl there. She will sicken you with her air of unjustified arrogance and will claim to only drink champagne, almost as if she expects there to be a red carpet rolled out for her upon her arrival.

Success Rate: 10%. This girl most likely loves doing drugs, so try to offer a free bump and roll the dice. If you are able to close on this one, you can close on any of them.


The Seasoned Veteran

This is the cougar who has the appearance of a woman approaching the age of social security eligibility. You can unfortunately clearly tell she has had her fair share of partying through out her life. Indeed, she may be only 29 years old, but going out every single night has taken drastic effect on the viability of her facial features. You can tell she’s a veteran by the way almost professional she conducts herself and the wrinkles in the face that she’s actively trying to combat with botox.

Success rate: 17%. This girl has seen it all and DEFINITELY done it all. Unless shes feeling pretty loose and ready, you would have to wow her.


The Young Newbie

This girl stands out in a crowd like a sore thumb. She usually has a very bewildered look on her face as if she is just being introduced to the night life scene. She is usually dancing like a rhythmless idiot trying to attract the attention of potential suitors. Be careful, she is most likely 17 going on 18, or has just turned 18 years old. Also, her physical features will be highly undeveloped leaving her with flat boobs.

Success Rate: 95%. You would have to be a idiot to not be able to close this one. They are so unbelievably naive and they’ll die for attention from any male.


The Bottle Whore

This girl you can spot by checking your surroundings for the girl that seems to be patrolling the venue, hopping from table to table with a cup in her hand. She is known as the bottle whore and is only attracted to men who have tables and fine liquor for her to gorge herself on.

Success Rate: 53 %. Her standards are usually low, so if she’s desperate enough to be entertaining men just for alcohol you have a pretty good shot after she has finagled a few drinks from your table.


The DJ Groupie

This is the girl you will find trying to eye fuck the DJ all night. She’s driven and determined to bang this guy and will most likely sell her soul to be in the DJ booth with him. Fortunately for her, she will most likely end up there.

Success rate: 10%. Unless you’re a DJ, you have no chance, buddy. Try promising her tickets to Ultra, that might get you a quickie in the bathroom.


The Bridge & Tunnel Girl

As with the others, this girl is fairly easy to spot out as well. You can hear her Fran Drescher-esque yowling from the opposite end of the club. The thought makes us cringe. Teuf. She will be overly eager to be at the club and you’re sure to find this harlot pounding shots. Even worse, she’ll probably be looking tacky wearing Roberto Cavalli from three seasons ago.

Success Rate: 40%. The only reason the rate isn’t 101% for this moron is she most likely came with a group of friends in one car. Getting her away from them can be quite tough considering she must cross a bridge into lands better left untouched (ie: Staten Island). Even if you do succeed, congratulations, imbecile. Now, you have to deal with finding her a ride home in the morning. Did we mention that you slept with a Bridge & Tunnel girl?


The Drug Addict

This girl will be erratically dancing with the appearance of a complete dunce. You’ll know her by the questionably high frequency of her bathroom trips. Obviously, she’s going to the bathroom every 10 minutes to do a bump of cocaine. She is either on molly, cocaine, or both, and her pupils are the size of flying saucers. If she’s taken raver’s candy, you’ll know by that odd amount of gum she seems to be devouring to combat her clenching jaw.

Success rate: 60%. Offer her a free bump and see where it goes. The percent is reliant on whether or not she is even functional even go home. If not, give her some food to sober her up.


The Heiress

This girl most likely has her own table and is dressed in fashion that’s a season in advance. She is usually cold to strangers, but possesses an extremely friendly side that appears when with her friends.

Success Rate: 5%. Unless you’re on the same social and economical status as her, you stand no chance. There is simply nothing you can do to impress her.


The Escort

This one is a bit hard to discern from your average unpaid hooker, as many women provide escort-like services frequently and without charge, but, if you look hard enough, you should be able to spot her. She most likely is only drinking champagne and has a fur jacket with an unacceptable amount of leather covering her skin. Her nails will be done to perfection and she will be looking for someone to pay her bills.

Success Rate: 50%. That percentage is really dependent on your actions. If you’re willing to dish out cash on a nice lay and chances of herpes, its all yours.


The International Girl

This girl stands out at the venue and it’s fairly obvious that she is visiting town from a different country. She most likely has a camera in her hand–a clear tourist move–and is taking an ungodly amount of pictures of everything she sees. She’ll probably be dressed rather poorly and will be excited that she was even allowed to enter the venue.

Success Rate: 30%. If you can break the language barrier and can convince her that you’re not like the sketchy Americans that are portrayed in the cinema, you might get a chance.

Dating : 10 Simple Ways To Impress A Woman

Sometimes it’s the smallest thing that makes a lasting impression. A single smart comment or a couple of small gestures can really impress a woman, while an offensive remark or a display of carelessness can utterly doom your chances. A woman will decide relatively quickly whether or not you’re date-worthy, and all the little things you do or don’t do will help her make up her mind. With these realities in mind, we’ve put together this list of the top 10 simple ways to impress a woman. Nothing complicated here. Nothing time-consuming or exceptionally difficult. But this list of habits, comments and behaviors could make the difference between getting her number and getting a dirty
look.

No.10 Look her in the eye

It can be tempting to look a beautiful woman up and down, and the more beautiful she is, the harder it is to concentrate on the conversation. Just remember, if she catches you staring at her chest when she’s telling you how much her mom means to her, you’ll look like a creep.

No.9 Be well groomed

Scraggly facial hair styles and even a hint of body odor will kill your chances with women. Women want their men to be well groomed. They want them to look and smell good all the time. That doesn’t mean you necessarily have to be clean-shaven, but any facial hair you do have should be well maintained. Think about it: You judge them based on the way they look. Why wouldn’t they do the same with you?

No.8 Help her with her coat

If you’re trying to come up with simple ways to impress women, you might think about the kinds of things your grandfather used to do. Women love old-school displays of chivalry. Helping her put on her coat is a great example. It’s a kind, courteous act that’s not so common anymore. That’s why it will help you stand out. It’s also a good way to increase her comfort level with you as it allows you to get close to her without getting too close.

No.7 Socialize with her friends

When deciding whether or not to ask a woman out on a date, you probably evaluate her personality and her looks, among other things like her sense of humor and her intelligence. Well, women do those things too, but they also think about our potential as partners. And one of the things that speaks to our potential is our ability to fit into her social network. Women are attracted to likable, social, charming men, the kind of guys their friends and families will love. So, engage in conversation with her friends even as you’re working your magic on her. Impress them and you’ll impress her. Just make sure it’s clear that she’s the one you’re interested in.

No.6 Ignore your phone

Nothing says, “You’re not that important....” like taking a call from someone else or checking a text in the middle of a conversation. That’s why ignoring your phone is one of our top 10 simple ways to impress women. The culture of texting has gotten way out of hand. Too many men think it’s perfectly acceptable to take a phone call or fire off an e-mail while you’re on a date or in the middle of a conversation. Well, we have news for you: It’s uncivil. When you’re talking to a woman, let her see you silence your phone or turn it off completely -- show her she has your undivided attention.

No.5 Ask her questions

When you’re getting to know a woman you should do your best to make her comfortable. That means steering a conversation toward a subject she’s comfortable talking about -- like her. Just about every woman likes to talk about herself. It’s a subject on which she has a lot of expertise, after all. Asking her questions about her past and her favorite things will allow her to open up and feel comfortable, while simultaneously showing her that you’re interested in more than just her looks.

No.4 Open doors

Another entry on our list of the top 10 simple ways to impress women: Open the door for her. Opening the door for a woman is a classic gentlemanly gesture. The otherwise admirable push for gender equality has largely eliminated acts of chivalry like this one. Do your part to bring chivalry back by opening the door for her.

No.3 Compliment the way she looks

So here’s the thing: you want to give her a compliment, but you want it to seem sincere. Thus, you need something a little more original than, “You have incredible eyes.” Give this a shot: Compliment the way she looks in her outfit. Say something like, “You look great in that dress.” It’s a great way of telling her she looks hot without rerunning the same old compliment and it also communicates that you’re attracted to her in a way that, “Cool jacket!” does not.

No.2 Ask for advice

Whether you’re apartment-hunting or trying to set your buddy up on a blind date, women are impressed when you ask them for advice. It shows her that you value other people’s opinions -- in particular, her opinion. Be careful not to come off as clueless here, though; you don’t want to act like you know nothing. You also don’t want to put her on the spot or make her feel uncomfortable. When asking for advice, get her perspective on a limited set of options. For example, does she think you should move into a townhouse or a loft? This kind of question allows her to easily express an opinion, and hopefully sparks a more extensive conversation.

No.1 Compliment her positivity

Telling a woman she gives off a “happy” vibe will make her feel good. That’s the vibe most people want to give off all the time. It also allows you to then ask her about the things in her life that make her so happy, which will make her feel even better, positive feelings that she’ll ultimately associate with talking to you. This kind of a comment centering on positivity is another one of our top 10 simple ways to impress women.

What Your Clothing Label Says About You

• What You Need To Know
• You wear Nike: You're a middle manager with a serious golf obsession.
• You wear Ed Hardy: You're the biggest douche in the room.
• You wear Levi's: You know the value of a dollar. In other words, you're cheap.

"People often tell you you'd make a beautiful woman. You drink champagne on all occasions. You have never gone fishing. You are the reason the rest of us don't understand the French."

Making sweeping generalizations about a man by the brand he wears is an admittedly inaccurate science. But it’s also unavoidable (not to mention fun). Stereotypes are often wrong, but it’s dangerous not to acknowledge their existence. To expose them, we indulged our most shallow knee-jerk reactions to 10 big-name brands. Because, like it or not (and we know a lot of you won’t -- in fact, we’ve already placed bets on how your comments will read), your label is talking about you to the rest of us. Here’s what it's saying.

J.Crew

You’re a fashion editor without the juice to afford Billy Reid. (You might be working on a story like this one right now.) You’re a regular at the local coffee shop, where you’ll languish for hours with the MacBook after hunting for fresh kale at the farmer's market. Your tennis game isn’t half bad. You’re a white guy, but you care about minorities, if caring about them means talking about caring about them. You are the mayor of three different hip restaurants on Foursquare. Generally harmless, soft with privilege and unremarkable in most every way.

Abercrombie & Fitch

You are an a**hole. Just joshing, bro! But, seriously, you’re kind of a tool. Also, you’re in a fraternity. You think wearing your ball cap brim-forward constitutes formal wear. You have two varsity letters: one in water polo and one in half-naked-dude mud wrestling. There’s a funny story you like to tell involving Jagermeister and a security guard. Books don’t interest you much, but Tucker Max is the man. (Seriously, he’s, like, the best writer since Chuck Palahniuk.) You’re not big on shirts. You’re planning big things with your major in interdisciplinary studies. By the way, you looked great in those USC rooftop sex photos.

Lanvin

You're the youngest child, and not as good at sports as your siblings. You didn’t get much attention at home. So now you dress rather like a dandy angling for an internship with the Joker. And the only thing more obnoxious than the price of your wardrobe is the reach of your vanity. Your occupation: high-society gala attendee. One day the inheritance may run out, but that day is not today. People often tell you you’d make a beautiful woman. You drink champagne on all occasions. You have never gone fishing. You are the reason the rest of us don’t understand the French. 

Nike

You may be a famous athlete, a weekend warrior or a middle manager with a serious golf obsession. Sure, you could pay less for better functionality, but then you couldn’t brand yourself with little swooshes. You vote Republican, but you tell people you’re independent. There’s one rule in your house: No talking during the NCAA basketball tournament. You take your gum chewing very seriously. In your refrigerator, you’ve got a sixer of Michelob ULTRA. Once, you got thrown out of your kid’s soccer game for heckling the referee. Look, a bad call is a bad call, whether the players are pros or preschoolers. And that’s precisely the kind of thing your ex-wife just didn’t understand.

Kenneth Cole

You live in the city -- or, rather, you wish you did, which is why you shop at Kenneth Cole. You’ve got a subscription to Details magazine and own at least one of the following: a punch card to Jamba Juice, a face moisturizer, a shirt with epaulettes. You didn’t plan to end up in advertising, but the art career wasn’t working out, and Pilates classes don’t pay for themselves. You know more about style than your friends, but less than you think you do. "Metrosexual": The term is overused, but you’re reason it exists. Nobody knows that those glasses aren’t really prescription.

You work at an independent bookstore where, often, people have to ask you to "speak up," because your detached world-weariness comes across as chronic fatigue."

Ed Hardy

Well, somebody has to be the biggest douche in the room. Congrats. Adorning yourself in gaudy, hideous crap is no big thing if you don’t pay rent. Works out OK for you, since you live at home. The rest of your payday (from your gig repping Monster energy drinks) goes to the gym membership, bronzer, chest waxes, and cover charges at the club. You’ve almost been cast on three different reality shows. With this schedule, it’s hard to get more than 10 hours of sleep at a time. You know the haters are just jealous. And if you had the slightest flickering of self-awareness, you would probably be immolated with shame.

Thom Browne

You are a giant. Oh, wait. You only look like a giant, 'cause you have a tiny person’s suit on. Only a man who has attended one too many fashion shows would think it's acceptable to wear dress pants that hem at the calf (not to mention the no-socks thing). You are a dealer -- of fine art, or maybe antiquities -- and the world is your office. London, Milan, Paris, Tokyo: You’ve got clients everywhere. You speak a little bit of a lot of languages, and know your Beaujolais from your Burgundy. A certain air of superiority wafts off of you like cologne.       

Timberland

If you had a pair of Timberland work boots for every day of actual labor you’ve done in your life, you’d have zero pairs of Timberland work boots. But tough is a mindset. So, apparently, is “gansta.” Yeah, you’re keeping it real. East Coast, dawg. And on the subway, in your puffy jacket, knees spread wide, you can claim a bench normally shared by three. Years from now, deaf as a board, you’ll regret all those hours spent blasting your ear-buds at concert levels. You own people on Madden, on X-Box Live (especially after you smoke a little). Your default emotional state: unimpressed.            

Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony may be just a store, but it's become synonymous with the word "lifestyle," so we think it deserves mention on this list. If you're rushing in to check out its newest designer collaboration, you probably like chiptune music, and you own a lot of scarves. The art-house movie theater is doing a Kurosawa retrospective next month, and you’ve already got tickets. You are a vegetarian. In high school, you got your ass kicked with a fair amount of regularity. You work at an independent bookstore where, often, people have to ask you to “speak up,” because your detached world weariness comes across as chronic fatigue. You will soon -- if you haven’t already -- sport some ironic facial hair, like a lumberjack’s beard or handlebar mustache. Affecting this much cool gets harder and harder with age.      

Levi’s

You are not one to be tossed around by the fickle winds of fashion, which is why you’ve been wearing the same brand of jeans since 1989. You are practical. You appreciate things that last. You know the value of a dollar. In other words, you’re cheap. Probably from the Midwest. You might own a truck. Also, a Sam’s Club membership card. And a Johnny Cash album. Joke is on everyone else, though, because Levi’s are cool again (not that you were paying attention). From fashion failure to trendsetter in one season. Your commitment to habit proves one thing: Eventually, everything old will be new again.  

Dating : A Gentleman Never Arrives Empty-Handed

It’s a sultry summer night, and you’re on your way to an elegant dinner party given by your boss and his charming wife. You arrive at the appropriate time, impeccably dressed in casual evening wear and greet your hostess with a smile—and nothing more.
Imagine your mortification and horror when you pass a table in the hall loaded with bottles of wine, flower arrangements, gourmet coffee, and other small gifts. You search your brain…is it the host’s anniversary? A birthday? Did someone retire?
Although the party might be a celebration of one of those occasions, it’s far more likely that guests with better manners than you brought thoughtful tokens of appreciation for their hosts.
Like thank you notes, the giving of gifts to your hosts is becoming a lost art. When we do remember to bring a nice little something, it’s invariably a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of wine from the corner liquor store. Really, can’t we do better than that?
Gone may be the days of bringing your hostess lavish crystal or a pair of mourning doves when you arrive at the manor for a weekend stay, but we haven’t become complete savages. Your hosts have expended a great deal of time, effort, and expense to provide you with an evening (or weekend) of food, drink, and entertainment. The least you can do is thank them with an appropriate gift.
Summer is here and with it a bevy of seasonal social obligations: barbeques, picnics, dinner parties, and weekends away. Never arrive at someone’s home without something more to contribute than your personality, as stunning as it might be. Take this opportunity to man up and accept this simple rule: no matter what the occasion, a gentleman never arrives empty-handed.

The Rules of Appropriate Gifting

A hostess gift doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be thoughtful. Consider the types of activities your hosts enjoy, and gift accordingly. As a general rule, your budget should be around $15 to $30, depending upon the formality of the occasion.
An important rule to remember is that you should never bring anything that makes more work for your hosts. The best example is that of flowers: If you bring a cello-wrapped bouquet, your hostess must stop what she is doing, find a vase, trim the ends from the flowers and greenery, arrange the bouquet, and find a place for it. If you’re giving flowers, be sure to bring a bouquet that is already arranged in a vase.
Likewise, never bring food to add to the menu unless your hostess has specifically requested you do so. If you’d like to bring food or drink as your gift, make sure your hosts understand that the gift is for their enjoyment, and you don’t expect them to share it with their guests.

Give Thoughtfully

Although wine and flowers are traditional hostess gifts and will always be appreciated, why not challenge yourself and come up with something a little more creative? Try one of these suggestions:

• Gourmet coffee. Always opt for whole bean coffee (if they’re the kind of people who will enjoy coffee as a gift, they’re likely to have their own grinder). Skip the fancy flavors and select a medium brew from a recognized brand, not the mystery bag you find on the shelf at Ross.
• Fine chocolate. For a gift of chocolate to be a hit, it must be unusual and special. Visit an upscale department store or chocolatier for a small box of exquisite truffles.
• Posh spices. If you know your hosts enjoy cooking, visit an upscale market or boutique for a selection of interesting peppercorns, cinnamon, or other often-used spices. A set of sea salts will likely be a big hit. You might also consider a small assortment of spices for ethnic food, such as turmeric, saffron, or coriander.
• Scented candles. Yes, these are overdone, but there’s a reason for that—most everyone enjoys them. Opt for something well-crafted, not a Glade candle from the supermarket. For a host, try a candle with a uniquely masculine scent–like one that smells like a barbershop.
• Kitchen gadgets. Hosts that frequently entertain will always enjoy adding another tool to their party arsenal, like retro metal cocktail skewers, linen kitchen cloths, or a set of unique coasters.
• Fresh produce. If you happen to garden, bring a small box of your garden’s bounty, packaged so that it can go straight into the refrigerator. Even if your hosts are carnivores, they’ll delight in your interesting gift. Skip this option if you don’t garden or settle for something simple, like a large basket of succulent road-stand strawberries.

Avoid overly personal gifts, such as perfume, bath products, or articles of clothing. Although etiquette guides disagree, skip the houseplant unless your hostess has a renowned green thumb; otherwise, you put her at risk of worrying if she’ll kill it.
Although it may seem terribly clever, resist the urge to develop a “signature” gift, such as a particular bottle of wine you bring each time you visit. You might think your hosts delight in receiving your special brand of manliness, but in reality, they’re probably chuckling about the fact that you’ve brought the same bottle of poor quality chardonnay to their last three dinner parties.

Let the Gift Match the Occasion

Your hostess gift should reflect the occasion. An elaborate flower arrangement isn’t appropriate for a pool party, just as a six-pack just won’t do for a formal dinner. Consider the tone and nature of the party, and gift accordingly.
Occasions that demand hostess gifts include dinner parties, pool parties, weekend visits, extended stays…basically anytime you’re foisting your presence on someone in their home.
Although Peggy Post, descendent of etiquette doyenne Emily Post, says that it isn’t necessary to bring a gift to a cocktail party or open house, what could it hurt? Who doesn’t want another bottle of premium vodka for their bar? Who would be offended by a simple flower arrangement? It’s far better to err on the side of graciousness and bring a little something, regardless of the occasion.

Wine, Beer & Spirits

All this talk of flowers and scented candles aside, most men prefer to bring liquor to events they attend. Yes, as we’ve mentioned it’s not very unique, but it’s well-received, it’s easier, and it’s something many men feel more comfortable buying and giving. Appropriate to nearly every occasion—except if you’re visiting a “dry” house—alcohol can be a thoughtful hostess gift if you think a little before you purchase it.
Take wine, for example. If your hosts are oenologists, don’t insult them with a bottle of two-buck Chuck. Visit a real liquor store and purchase something in the $20 range, like a nice chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon. Or you could exercise a little creativity and select an interesting sauvignon blanc, viognier, zinfandel (red only, please), muscat or shiraz from a more unusual wine region, like Alexander Valley or Chile. If you are helpless around wine, ask the proprietor for help.
Fine liquor makes for another excellent hostess gift. Unless you know your host has specific tastes in spirits, stick to the basics, like brandy, fine gin, flavored vodka, or top-shelf tequila. Jagermeister, Goldschlager, and flavored schnapps are never acceptable.
You might think that beer isn’t an appropriate hostess gift, but you would be wrong—provided you give it at the right occasion. As previously mentioned, a formal dinner is not the right event for beer, unless, of course, your host is a microbrewery aficionado. In that case, opt for something unique and interesting, like something you’d order from a beer club. For more casual occasions, pick up a six-pack of good beer, like a stout or an IPA.

Giving the Gift with Style

Although it isn’t necessary to stick a bow on your sixer or your wine in a fancy bag, you should take care to present your gift with style. Non-alcohol-related gifts should be wrapped or otherwise artfully presented, with the price tags removed and the store bag left in the car.
When you arrive, don’t thrust the package at your host the moment she opens the door. Say hello, walk inside, and only then present your host with your thoughtful gift. Make certain she knows that she is under no obligation to share; the gift is purely for her amusement and enjoyment.

13 male careers and what they say to women about you

Imagine you meet a pretty potential lady at a bar, party, or another place where you start talking with strangers. Inevitably, following the string of getting-to-know you questions, she asks, “What do you do?” You tell her. Then there’s a pause. You gauge the look on her face: Should you tell her you’re really an actor —- you just wait tables at the Olive Garden for extra cash? Defend your career as an euthanasia provider at the local kill shelter? Humbly say, “Yeah, I have so much money from inventing bladeless fans, I don’t know what to do with it all”? Or should you change the subject as quickly as possible?

So what is she thinking? We went on a mission to help you figure it out. Because, of course, reactions vary from person to person, we compiled a sample of women’s initial opinions about a guy, based on some popular fields of work. The 25 women in the sample range in age from 19 to 30, live everywhere from New York to San Francisco and even Saul Paolo, Brazil (Oi!), and have jobs at restaurants, publishing houses, financial offices, City Hall, and more. We’ve pulled highlights from the responses, and a summarized reaction for each.


13 Doctor
 
From the mouths of (actual) Babes: “Smart and driven — maybe he’ll help me be a better person.” … “Ooh, Richie Rich!” … “Please let him be interesting enough to actually like.”
General consensus: Even though it’s not the 1960s, our mothers still always hope we’ll marry a doctor or a lawyer—for good reasons. We know you’re smart, ambitious for getting through that much medical school, and either wealthy or drowning in student loans and on your way to making a shit ton of money. We also know, however, that this mere label doesn’t make the perfect man: “He probably doesn’t have enough time for a real relationship,” one respondent says.
12 Lawyer
 
From the mouths of (actual) Babes: “You’re rich, but probably a douche.” … “Owns nice suits.” … “Aggressive and amazing in bed.”
General consensus: Yes, the other half of our mothers’ wish was to wed a lawyer. But, unlike a doctor, many women aren’t instantly impressed with this career, so cut the legal jargon. We automatically assume you like to argue—and like to get your way. We can envision seeing you day-to-day might be a constant, difficult battle, even if you two are deciding what restaurant to hit for a date. That can be sexy, and also manically frustrating. Show that you can be easygoing, and you can let someone else win every once in a while.
11 Businessman
 
From the mouths of (actual) Babes: “Rich and ambitious!” … “Big corporation might be the end of the conversation. An entrepreneur? Keep talking…” … “You hate your career…”
General consensus: You’re independent and dollar-bill signs dance in your head. We’ll wonder, though: Does he actually like what he does, or is it just about the cash? Explaining you’re into what you’re doing — and not just the paycheck you get from it — will ultimately attract the right kind of girl.
10 Finance
 
From the mouths of (actual) Babes: “Rich.” … “Borrrring.”
General consensus: Ah, what can you expect? A job where you’re crunching numbers 10 hours a day doesn’t make for the most enticing conversation. Tell her about your other, maybe more relatable, passions the cash from your 9-to-5 (or 9-to-10, we know you work hard…) affords you like traveling, rock climbing, or asking for your paychecks in 100-dollar bills, throwing them up in the air, and dancing in the bills as they rain down.
9 Sales/Marketing/PR
 
From the mouths of (actual) Babes: “Savvy.” … “Manipulative.” … “Charismatic.” … “He’s on his phone A LOT.”
General consensus: Since your career requires honing that persuasive charm to keep your clients happy, we’ll see right through your pitch for a date—not that that’s a bad thing. Turn it down a notch and show us you can be chill, too. And please put down your damn Blackberry.
8 Government/Politics
 
From the mouths of (actual) Babes: “Sneaky!” … “Smart and hardworking.” … “Hooker-buyer!” … “I bet he has great coke.”
General consensus: Wow, people in politics have a bad rap. Despite working in government involving lots of hard work and reaping some nice rewards, we’re not sold right away by your “influence.” We’ll think you’re a smooth talker, but also a great liar. “He has money; most of which you’ll never know about,” one woman says. So we don’t lump you in the category of men who have extramarital affairs, embezzle cash, or hire prostitutes to piss on them, focus on how your job helps influence the world in a positive way. “If he’s serving the public good, I can dig,” one respondent says. “But likely, he has an overinflated sense of penis… I mean, self.”
7 Environmental Agency, Sector, or Organization
 
From the mouths of (actual) Babes: “Hippie!” … “If you’re employed, that’s cool!” … “Please don’t smell like patchouli.”
General consensus: No need to tell us how much you like to hike or eat organic — we get it. Avoid getting into lengthy debates about recycling or the importance of investing in solar energy sources. Give a short description of what you do, she’ll swoon at your ability to make money while saving the planet, and move along. Unless you work with cute sea animals; then you may give us a detailed run down of your job.
6 Musician/Performer/Actor
 
From the mouths of (actual) Babes: “Not boyfriend material.” … “Sexy—but looking for groupies.” … “You and the rest of Brooklyn—get a real job!”
General consensus: This “job” description commonly follows something like “I work at a coffee shop, but I’m really a…” or “For my day job, I’m in sales, but at night I…” Oh sure, we know, we know. Groupies! The glowing chance to f*ck a potentially famous dude! The word “ego” was used repeatedly in the sample of responses—try to limit the smug. You’re a guy who’s fun to party with, and we can’t expect any sort of commitment from you. This relationship may turn out to be one big cat-and-mouse game if you are really interested in her. You need to let her know you’re actually into her and aren’t doing blow off other women’s stomachs in hotel rooms if you ever want it to be anything more.
5 Bartender/Server/Chef/Restaurant Owner
 
From the mouths of (actual) Babes: “Immature.” … “Flirt” … “Great f*ck buddy.”
General consensus: Even if you’re the owner of the place, working in a bar or restaurant has earned you an alcoholic (or recovering alcoholic) badge. We know late nights, plenty of booze, and basically hosting parties for a living means you’re probably full of energy, but also immature and unwilling to settle down. We realize you have more than a few notches on your headboard (who hasn’t slept with the hot bartender?) and don’t anticipate starting any real relationship with you. “Unless he’s head chef in which case, make me some pancakes!” one respondent says.
4 Manual Labor/Contractor/Construction Worker/Mechanic
 
From the mouths of (actual) Babes: “Manly!” “Drinks beer and smokes or chews tobacco.” … “Will probably end up with a beer belly, back problems, and bald, but let him handle me while he’s still young.” … “I hope you look like Jason Stackhouse.”
General consensus: Physically, we know you have what it takes to make us feel classically feminine (i.e. installing our air conditioner in exchange for beer, bench-pressing us, etc.). Accordingly, you’ll have the not-so-positive traits of classic masculinity, too: we’re thinking the ill-mannered, fart-joke-loving, beer-guzzling, bro. Show off your smarts (tell her you read books!) to prove you can have a deeo convo AND can fix our pipes, too.
3 Artist/Writer
 
From mouths of (actual) Babes: “If he has actual talent, that’s really hot.” … “Might be emotionally unstable.” … “So, you’re unemployed?”
General consensus: Expect to be asked an endless amount of follow-up questions — we’re totally suspicious. Have you been published or professionally credited anywhere? Are you a tortured soul? A trust fund baby? A faux starving artist? You get the point.
2 Teacher
 
From the mouths of (actual) Babes: “I’m impressed and intrigued!” … “He has a good heart.” … “He probably eats a lot of pretzels and PB&Js.”
General consensus: You might be used to hearing “Aww…” and even getting an empathetic hug when you tell a woman you’re a teacher. We know this often-underpaid job takes dedication and a knack for working with kids. “He’s probably patient and doesn’t have a lot of issues,” one respondent says. The plot in Half Nelson, starring our collective boyfriend, Ryan Gosling, doesn’t even cross our minds. You can’t have a drug or booze problem if you’re working with kids for hours a day, right? (Don’t answer that.) Blame it on a childhood fantasy, but male teachers make us swoon. Even though we know you’re broke, upon first impression, the good shines through the most.
1 Tech Industry (Web Developer/Engineer/A Job We Thought Only Robots Could Do, Like Computer Hacking)
 
From the mouths of (actual) Babes: “Nerds! But I like nerds. They’re so nice.” … “If he’s handsome, double points!” … “Didn’t that bubble burst in like ’99?”
General consensus: The enthusiasm for techies surprised us (one response, perhaps incidental or unfinished, just said, “Sex.”). Other than the common qualms about computer geeks (“He plays a lot of video games,” and “He thinks he’s smarter than most” were potential tribulations two respondents described), a job description most don’t understand doesn’t indicate a reason to run the other way. In fact, it has the opposite affect: “If I’m not attracted to him, he still might be a good person to be familiar with—who knows when you’ll need your own website?” one woman says. Steer clear of too much tech talk in attempts to woo — it’ll just make you seem pompous and purposely trying to make us feel uncomfortable.
The bottom line: No career makes the man. So don’t lean on it to win ‘em over. Now, use your new-found, fly-on-the-wall knowledge to flatter away!

Video : Stupid Question "Are Men Obsessed With Breasts??"

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Top 10: Proven Ways To Improve Your Attractiveness

Much of the research into what women find attractive in men has focused on their earning power or how afraid they are of commitment. Increasingly, however, effort has been directed toward determining what women find physically attractive in a man, as these traits may carry just as much, if not more, weight in the dating game. Here we bring you a roundup of the physical traits that scientists have suggested women look for in a man, along with tips on how you can use this information to become irresistible.

 

No.10 Remove excess body hair

A study conducted in New Zealand and California that investigated women's preferences regarding men's physical traits found that when shown photographs of men with varying amounts of body hair, women gave higher ratings to those with less and less. Ratings for attractiveness tended to decrease as the amount of chest and abdominal hair increased. To look better topless before a big date, shave the night before, wax a couple of days earlier, or start investing in laser hair removal or thinking about other hair removal trends in general.

Time It Takes: Ten minutes (or more, if you've got a lot of hair).

No.9 Brood for short-term pairings

In one study, when women were asked to rank photographs of men in terms of carnal sexual attraction rather than for long-term-relationship potential, the women selected men who looked broody or proud as being more appealing than smiling men. The takeaway message here is that if you're looking for a short-term fling or a one-night stand, being a little moody might make things easier.

Time It Takes: A few minutes of negative thinking can put you in a brooding frame of mind.

No.8 Smile for long-term relationships

Non-ovulating women seeking long-term relationships find feminized male faces attractive. Evolutionary psychologists postulate that a warmer, more inviting male face may suggest an increased tendency toward prosocial behavior (more likely to stick around for the long haul). Men in the market for a serious, committed relationship should therefore aim to demonstrate that they're a nice guy. The quickest way to look like you're able to look good in potential wedding photos, of course, is to smile.

Time It Takes: A nanosecond.

No.7 Wear shoes with half-inch heels

Although your female friends might tell you that personality is what really counts, research has revealed that women show a strong preference toward men who are taller than them. This finding doesn't mean you have to be a pro basketball player to have lots of luck with the ladies, but it does suggest that you can waste less time finding a date by confining your search to women who are a couple of inches shorter than you. You can also give yourself more of a height advantage by slipping on a pair of loafers with a half-inch heel.

Time it takes: Five seconds (not counting the time it takes to buy shoes).

No.6 Stand up straight

Similar to the way women show a tendency toward taller men, they also look for men with superior posture. There may be several reasons why improving your posture could increase your chances with the opposite sex. Notably, straightening your spine obviously makes you seem taller, but it also might make you appear more confident, more dominant and more open to being approached.

Time It Takes: One second.

No.5 Create a masculine jaw

Women in the most fertile phase of their cycle appear to prefer men with chiseled jawlines. Scientists hypothesize that the high testosterone levels responsible for the appearance of masculine facial traits at puberty also suppress immune functioning, meaning that men with this facial feature may have strong immune systems and therefore be a good catch from a genetic perspective. Men with small chins can use facial hair to create the look of a more prominent jawline. More specifically, a beard that covers the chin area will add volume to a smaller face and make it seem very manly.

Time It Takes: A few weeks, depending on how fast your facial hair grows.

No.4 Use facial hair to promote symmetry

A huge body of research supports the notion that women find men with symmetrical faces more attractive. Scientists theorize that facial symmetry may be a signal to women that a man is healthy and therefore a good choice for a mate. To create a more symmetrical-looking mug, try playing around with the hair on your face. Men who favor a clean shave, for example, should take care not to leave patches of hair on their faces. Those with beards and mustaches can experiment with different looks to determine which styles help create more balance between the two halves of their face. Finally, don't forget to tweeze your brows as grooming them is one of the quickest ways to significantly alter your appearance for the better.

Time It Takes: Ten minutes.

No.3 Use clothes to create a v-shape

In study after study, v-shaped bodies are deemed more attractive by women. The ideal v-shaped body has a waist-to-hip ratio of approximately 0.9-1.0 and a chest-to-waist ratio of around 1.33. While exercising should represent your primary strategy for achieving your ultimate body, you can also fake a better body with the right clothes. To give the impression of broader shoulders, invest in a couple of well-tailored blazers and live in them. If your focus is on slimming your torso, favor v-neck tops that skim over your body so it doesn’t fit too loosely or tightly.

Time It Takes: Five seconds.

No.2 Don't put on too much cologne

The way you smell may play an important role in whether or not a given woman will be attracted to you. Some studies on the science of scent and attraction have suggested that women unconsciously use their sense of smell to determine how different genetically a man is from them (essentially, the more different your genetic material is, the more attracted to you she will be). The trick here is to let your natural smell come through as much as possible in order to attract a woman with whom you'll have dynamite chemistry, so spritz on cologne with a light hand.

Time It Takes: A few seconds.

No.1 Exercise

If you consider yourself a player or you would like to become one, it's time to start logging more time at the gym, as studies have shown that women looking for a short-term fling gravitate toward muscular males. Fortunately, as long as you're willing to put in regular sweat sessions and eat properly, a cut body is an achievable goal for most guys. Do be careful, however, not to overdo it, as research has shown that women prefer toned men to ultramuscular guys.

Time It Takes: One hour or more per day.








 

Women Can Sniff Out Men Without Knowing—And Vice Versa

Women and men can sniff out the opposite sex via odorless pheromones, a new study suggests.
The discovery adds another piece to the growing body of evidence that humans, much like the rest of the animal kingdom, know more from their noses than previously thought.
"We know that for animals, chemosignals are actually the most used signals to communicate, whereas with humans, we think chemosensation is not really used," said study leader Wen Zhou, a psychologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing.
"But based on our experiences, they are still influenced by these cues, even if they don't explicitly know it."
In a recent experiment, subjects who smelled possible pheromones from the opposite sex were more likely to interpret ambiguous human figures as that sex—even when the participants didn't know they were smelling anything.
Pheromones—chemicals that can communicate sexual information—are widespread in the animal world, and some research suggests humans use them unconsciously as well.


Zhou and colleagues used videos of points of light moving in a way that fools the eye into seeing human motion.
The videos were made by filming real people in motion-capture suits with LEDs at each joint—similar to the suits used to create Hollywood special effects.
Then the scientists mathematically manipulated the dots until the "figures" had neither a typically male nor typically female gait.
Sex Pheromones Influence Gender Choice
Twenty men and 20 women watched the video animations of these ambiguous figures, as well as ones that were more obviously male or female. While watching the videos, the subjects sniffed clove oil infused with the male steroid androstadienone, the female steroid estratetraenol, or a plain oil used as a base for many cosmetics.
Men who smelled the female pheromone were more likely to identify the androgynous walker as a woman, and even were more likely to identify more clearly male figures as female than those who just smelled clove oil.


The same results applied when women sniffed the male compound: They more frequently saw the ambiguous figures as male than the women who smelled the plain oil.
Estratetraenol had no effect on women, and androstadienone didn't affect men.
This perception difference seems to be completely unrelated to what their noses told them: A blindfolded test subject couldn't tell the difference between steroid-infused clove oil and plain oil.
"It's completely below their awareness," Zhou said. "They didn't know what they were smelling, but their behavior showed these different patterns."

Dating : Top 10: Ways To Win Her Over

No.10 Put some style in your shoes

"For some reason, the first thing I notice in a man is his shoes. But it’s not to see how expensive or new they are. I think shoes or sneakers say a lot about a guy. I love when a guy’s wearing Jordans. I’m not exactly the biggest fan of those pointy Aldo shoes. I never really understood those.

"I am not one to care about body type. But I definitely would like a guy to be taller than me, because I hate when I wear heels and I get complaints like 'ugh, you’re too tall.' I want someone who isn’t going to break if he picks me up. But you really just have to be able to make me laugh and feel comfortable around you to earn major points."

No.9 Be confident, not cocky

"I’d like to hear confidence. When I look at a guy, the first impression I get is what he says. The first thing he says. If he says something like, 'H-h-hi! My name is David,' it’s not going to give a good impression. It’s always good to think as you approach a person that they’re human beings just like you are, and that you have absolutely nothing to lose. So it doesn’t hurt to go up there and introduce yourself.

"Also, try not making a girl feel like she’s lucky to be with you. If someone comes up to me and goes, 'Hey, a lot of girls here are hitting on me, but I made my way across to talk to you,' I’d say, 'Go back to those girls.' It comes off kind of immature.

"If a girl doesn't like you for who you are, she isn't worth your time. If you have to change to be with her, you are deceiving both yourself and her."

No.8 Don't be intimidated

"I never thought I intimidated guys until I started to get remarks from friends who felt that way before they knew me so well. Don‘t judge a person’s character based on looks. That beautiful intimidating lady that you run into coincidentally every other day might be the one thinking you’re too intimidating to talk to, so man up and say hello.

"I had a crush on this kid in high school. We were both really smart kids. I was kind of a nerd. A few years after we graduated, we ran into each other, and he goes, 'I have to tell you something!' I said, 'Me first!' I told him I had a huge crush on him in high school and that I didn’t like his girlfriend, because he started dating some girl that was very mean to him. He said, 'That’s because I always had a crush on you, but I gave up.' He never tried."

No.7 Don't use cheesy pickup lines

"If you’re not the most suave guy and you want someone to notice you, don't try pickup lines. The best contact comes in the spur of the moment. Sometimes it’s most likely a remark, a joke or a clever interaction, depending on the circumstances.

"Eye contact is not very easy, especially with me, because I look away. I am shy. You can’t tell, but I am. So the best thing to do is speak up. For example, you see a girl at the market and you think she’s pretty. You realize she has green apples in her basket or she’s picking green apples. Grab an apple, walk up to her and say, 'Hey, you dropped this.' She might tell you, 'Oh, I didn’t know' or 'I didn’t.' And that’ll give you an excuse to say, 'Well, I just wanted a reason to say hi or hear your voice,' and that girl will feel absolutely flattered.

"Me and my friends all agree. And by friends, I mean Miss Universe, Miss Puerto Rico… (laughs)."

No.6 Maintain good hygiene

"No matter what, when a guy says hi, he can look like Tom Cruise, but he can all of a sudden turn into something from Lord of The Rings. Make sure you visit the dentist occasionally. And always carry those Listerine patches. You’d be surprised how well they work.

"It does not matter how you look; if you smell good, a girl would want to sit next to you. Sometimes it’s like, 'Why are you sitting next to Larry?' 'He smells so good.' And Larry would be a ninth grader. So I would say Armani Code by Giorgio Armani is definitely a plus."

No.5 Try again

"If a man keeps trying, that means I’m not just any woman that he’s interested in -- I must be special. It shows that he cares. But trying doesn’t mean calling 50 times a day. And if you know that a girl means no, then no means no. Let’s say you asked for her number and she turned you down. And you know she works at Starbucks because that’s where you met her. Send her flowers the next day and say 'the guy in the blue shirt.' Simple things like that can go a long way."

No.4 Don't shower her with gifts

"I’ve had rich men in my life who thought they can flatter me with gifts. To me, that comes across as an insult. You’re making it seem as if you can buy me. But if someone is educated, smart and has a great personality, success is almost guaranteed. I am all about education and personality. I want to feel comfortable with the person I’m with. I want to be able to wake up in the morning with bad hair and he’d still be able to make me feel beautiful because he’s got a great personality."

No.3 Compliment her sincerely

"There’s a limit to everything. Women like food, water and compliments. But when you keep saying them one after the other, it’s going to seem like a bad pickup line. Ask her a question about her family. And while she’s talking, say, 'I’m sorry, I just... You’re so beautiful. OK, keep going.' Mix it up like spices. Not one after the other. Otherwise, it’s going to come across as desperate."

No.2 Speak and listen earnestly

"Be real. I like to hear when a man talks about his family and his personal life. It means he’s open and he’s a family guy. I also want him to get to know me. Women love to talk. The best conversation is when the other person talks a lot. So, if you ask, and ask, and ask, she’s going to walk away thinking 'Wow! We had a great conversation.' A girl loves a man who listens, and that’s very odd to find. Don’t just look for words. Listen to her ideas, thoughts and emotions and make sure you get them."

No.1 Remember that nobody is out of your league

"If there is a guaranteed way to miss out on a potential date, it’s by considering yourself to be out of their league. By doing so, you’re effectively convincing yourself that you’re not good enough for them. Why would they think you’re in their 'league' when you can’t be confident in your own self-worth?

"You’d be surprised how many great women or men end up with the wrong mate because the right person was too intimidated to try."

Dating : 10: Stupid Things Guys Do To Impress Girls

Ever since Adam bit the apple for Eve, guys have been doing dumbass things to impress the fairer sex. We’ve all been there. It’s a position every man will find himself in at one point in his life. So desperate are you to impress a certain woman that you start acting way out of your comfort zone and make a complete idiot of yourself while you are at it.

 

No.10 Drinking too much

Who knows why it is that some blokes feel inclined to drink like they invented it whenever they’re trying to impress a new girl. Sure, the added confidence may let you get away with some lines your weaker self may have shied away from, but there’s a balance. Generally, the ballast to that balance is the point in which you’re in the bathroom screaming at the porcelain. OK, you’ve gone too far. Remember, all the good work your confidence spike gave you early in the night will be shattered by the image of you covered in vomit with a security guard under each arm.

No.9 Talking a big game

The only thing worse than the shy guy at the party is the shy guy who’s trying to act like the cool guy. If you’re shy, who cares? Run with it. You’ll look interesting. If you try too hard to act like the more confident guys around you -- because you think that’s what the girls will go for -- then you are underestimating their idiot radars. Unfortunately this isn’t something you can put on; some people are just more confident than others, but there’s nothing worse than someone acting like something they’re not.

No.8 Wearing muscle T-shirts

If it’s Venice Beach in 1984 and you’re pumping iron while listening to Tone Loc, skip ahead; this doesn’t apply to you. For everyone else, do not under any circumstance fall into the misconception that a girl is going to go gaga for you just because you have the guns out and are offering free tickets. Great, you’re well built. Well done, you! If you must, take her to the beach and you’ll get in all the flexing you want. Otherwise, shirt please.

No.7 Lying

We’re not talking about the little white lies (number of sexual partners, anyone?), but more the whoppers that are inevitably going to unravel at some point and leave you red-faced and alone. Little details, like you are already seeing someone, are best out in the open. If you have to do it, keep your lies manageable and harmless, and trace back paths down which they might fail. Claiming to be a Wimbledon Tennis umpire is going to be a tricky one to back up, at least for one month every year.

No.6 Taking her to art exhibitions you know nothing about

The idea of a perfect date is to do an activity that is of interest to both parties. Under no circumstances should a guy stretch himself so far out of his comfort zone for the sake of a date that he leaves himself as transparent as glad-wrap. Example A: Don’t take a girl to an art exhibition if you have absolutely no interest in art and thus walk around the gallery sending texts to your mates about the loving that’s coming your way later that evening. Worst still would be to actually act like you know what you’re talking about – she’ll see straight through it.

No.5 Cooking when you're not good at it

They say that when it comes to cooking it’s really just the thought that counts. But tell that to the girl who’s eating raw chicken through a forced smile while her idiot date grins foolishly waiting for desert. If you know you’re useless in the kitchen then don’t offer to cook in order to impress a girl unless you can guarantee it’s impossible to screw up. If your date still thinks it’s the thought that counts when you serve up chicken and corn-flavoured Maggi noodles then she’s a keeper.

No.4 Signing up for adventure sports

Date within your means. If your idea of an exciting day out is two-for-one beer jugs at the local Lawn Bowls Club, then maybe bungee jumping or sky diving isn’t quite your speed. Very few dates are worth your life. No dates are worth fainting, wetting your pants or vomiting on yourself. It’s not wise to try and impress a girl by pretending your alpha when you’re zeta at best -- you’ll only end up looking like the guy on the football field who stopped the play while the referee helped him look for his contact lens.

No.3 Joining a band

So you stared up at a Jon Bon Jovi poster on your bedroom wall and daydreamed about how well he must do with the ladies – what with such a fine head of hair and such a nice shade of marbled denim. So you talked your old man into coughing up some funds for a few guitar lessons. And 10 years later you’re still crap and still dragging your friends along to sit through your excruciatingly painful gigs. And it’s not because you love music, it’s all because you thought it’d help you pick up. Nope

No.2 Hotting-up your car

Guys who think a girl is going to lose her mind just because they’ve installed beaded seat covers in their Datsun -- welcome to our list. A car is the thing that gets you to the shops when it’s too far to walk and you couldn’t be bothered with public transport. The second you start thinking of it as a blank canvas for you to decorate your bogan mechanical art on, you’re done. Sure, get a nice stereo and one of those vanilla-scented Christmas trees for the rearview mirror but the words "custom bodykit" should only be used by a qualified mechanic.

No.1 Getting named tattoos

The ultimate in bogan respect. If your name is Dot and he comes home, bends over and proudly displays a "D" tattooed on one butt cheek and a "T" tattooed on the other, you know it’s time to stop internet dating. Nothing good can come from getting your girlfriend’s name tattooed on your body -- and by doing it, you’re almost ensuring the relationship won’t last. Think of Johnny Depp having to change his Winona Forever tatt to Winos Forever. See, Johnny Depp couldn’t even make it cool.








 

Tips : Creating Sexual Chemistry

• Better Man in brief ...
• In order to spark sexual chemistry, you don't need to brag.
• Make sure you listen and respond to what she has to say.
• Be a gentleman -- women still love men who are polite and open doors.

While it’s common knowledge that women tend to gravitate toward money and power, many eligible bachelors don’t boast either. But the true Player recognizes that the key to fireworks lies in sexual chemistry, that powerful and deciding factor surrounded by an aura of mystery. As a responsible member of the Player community, it’s your job to cultivate those subtle sparks and fan them to a roaring flame in record time.

But not every curvaceous target will sense these sparks, so you might have to get a little creative. Your past conquests probably give you security and confidence, but even the best can’t guarantee chemistry every time. Let’s say you want to score with that smokin’ bartender who always tops off your drink for free, but she isn’t responding with the requisite level of interest. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and create sexual tension, even if chemistry isn’t immediately evident.

Sexual chemistry defined

Let’s initially adopt the scientific definition of sexual chemistry, which is “a natural, mutual romantic attraction between two people that results from a mixture of physical attraction and natural, mutual personality-based rapport.” Of course, that’s kind of wordy, so we'll break it down to something more accessible: You need to adapt to her personality and make a few moves that point toward physical attraction -- even if she’s not “feeling it.”

You probably want to close the deal quickly, so let's focus on doing so in a single night. The following are some hints and tips to make that bartender switch gears from neutral to overdrive.

Establishing common ground

Having something in common is essential to any level of sexual chemistry. If you click on emotional or intellectual grounds, that is a welcoming start -- you'll have something to discuss. Work on having multiple levels of commonality. The more common ground, the more you’ll connect with her and stay in her thoughts. Finding the common ground will require you to listen and pay attention to her in conversation. Establish areas where you both agree without becoming a “yes man.” Agreeing with her and even speaking out on some of the points on which you differ will intrigue her. Constant agreeing will make her think you're boring. Being headstrong will wake up the chemistry.

Show her that you understand women

Trying to show her that you feel and think as a woman feels and thinks is a waste of time. She knows you have no footing in the world of women. But show her that you understand what women want with good manners -- opening doors, being your best and excelling at communicating and listening. Showing a woman you have style and showing her you know how to be a fool will remind her that she is with a man, and her smoldering interest (and yours) will grow.

Show her that you understand her

She’s been talking, and you have been listening -- or at least you should have been. She has been supplying information about herself during your conversation. Ask questions about her responses. Agree with her points (only when you do, resist faking your opinion). In allowing the conversation to be about her, you tell her that you understand her. While proving that you understand women is going to appeal to her, displaying that you "get" her will set her afire. She will wonder about who you are, what you’re about and why you understand her when so many others do not.

Be mysterious

If she knows too much about you, setting up sexual chemistry will be difficult. The draw of desire is wanting what we have not had before. If you are an open book, she’ll find little interest in you.  But you shouldn't be unnecessarily stoic or use one-word sentences. Guard against being gabby and commenting on every thing and every person nearby. Talk little and listen a lot. By the date’s end, she will realize how little she knows about you, and then the chemistry begins. Be coy in your approach. Men find an easy lay appealing. Women find it obvious and a turn-off. Being overly eager will show through and will let her know that you’re lonely and impatient to satisfy yourself with her. Elevator eyes, obvious staring and body stance can all scream anything but coy. Watch these signals and make sure to keep the conversation away from anything sexual. She will throw out the bait to see if you’re like the other men in the room, and when you don't take the lure, her interest will rise.

Be positive

Few things kill sexual chemistry, desire and attraction like negativity. Being angry at the bartender or complaining about something that happened earlier will sap the excitement and potential energy she could build for you. This growing energy is sexual chemistry, and as it peaks, it piques her interest in you. Politeness mixed with a bit of mystery will put her in the position of wondering who you are. But if she must endure your bad attitude, it will quickly turn her off, and you’ll be alone with your sexual chemistry.