You meet one another, there seems to be chemistry, numbers have been exchanged and the air is alive with possibility.

So what are the quickest ways to let the air out of your dating balloon?

1. Instead of planning a date, ask them “what do you want to do?”  Come on, show some effort here.  Be creative.  Even suggesting a walk in the park is better than the “what do you want to do?” question which puts the burden on your date’s shoulders.  You asked them out didn’t you?  So show a little creativity and think of something to do.

2.  Talking about your ex can be a tricky subject so if you dare to divulge, be prepared to take some responsibility for the demise of your last relationship.  It’s a uber turn off when someone points 100% of the blame towards their ex.  Shouldering some of the blame shows you’re an adult and you’ve grown since your last love.

3.  Use the word I over and over again.  Check yourself; dating jitters can cause you to over talk about yourself since that’s who you know best, but it’s a bore to not ask about your partner.

4.  Don’t floss and show up with bad breath.  Hygiene is everything in the dating world.  It’s not just your pheromones we need to resonate with; if you want a good night kiss, floss!

5.  Don’t talk “at” us, talk with us.  If the sound of your voice fills the air for more than a few forkfuls on our side of the table, you’ve gone too far.  Conversations are like volley ball games; there should be an equal batting of the ball back and forth across the table.

I guest wrote this originally for Via ElephantJournal

If you liked this you might also like: Men & Intimacy.  Why is it so hard?    It’s not what you think!

All photos courtesy of  freedigitalphotos ; couple by Dynamite Imagery.