Archive for the ‘relationships’ Category

Dating Coaching: Demystifying the Process

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
Dating Coaching: Demystifying the Process
I’m about to start working with a private client, a man in his twenties. To many, the idea of being coached at “dating” is straight out of Hitched- socially awkward guys needing help from suave Will Smith in order to pick up girls.
However, just as Mr. Smith finds out in the film when he actually falls for someone, dating coaching is no longer about just picking up hot girls- and is no longer reserved for the socially awkward. Several of my male friends- who were also acclaimed characters in the book The Game- all left the pick-up community, finding that although it was fun, it was ultimately unfulfilling- that they wanted love and a sustainable relationship, not just a one-night stand. So even those men, the suavest pick-up artists in the world, needed some coaching to find what they really wanted- a sustainable relationship with someone amazing.
Because sustainable relationships create sustainable happiness.  And everyone wants to be happy, not just for a night or two, but for life.
So what is dating coaching about now? For my clients, it’s about self-exploration and consequent discovery- it’s about finding out how their behavior, past experiences, and emotional issues are keeping them from finding a sustainable relationship and happiness.
Once they are clued in to self-discovery, we embark on a quest to change those behaviors, patterns of thinking, and we come to terms with the past in order to feel comfortable- and confident- going forward into the world of women.
Then comes image- how are they presenting themselves? We work on dress, haircut, posture, eye contact, demeanor- all of the things that illustrate to a woman confidence and comfort with oneself.
After all, in an evolutionary sense, women are looking for providers and protectors- so although they seek sensitivity and emotional awareness as well- they ultimately want to know that a man could- and would- keep her safe and secure in a world of chaos and fluctuation. That’s why “nice guys” often lose out- because although they might be able to be in tune with a woman’s wants and needs, her most primary need is security, and they are unable to show that they can provide that right off of the bat.
Then we go through exercises to determine what kind of woman would really make the man happy. This involves going through priorities- what matters the most to a man in his “ideal” woman- talking about if those terms are realistic, and prioritizing the things that matter to him the most in a mate.
Often, men will have a list of “must haves” that is simply impossible to fulfill- no one, and I mean no one, will have every single qualification you have dreamed up in your hand as your shining bride. That’s why we have to pick those qualities, and qualifications, that really matter the most to him.
Then we embark into the “dating scene.“ I introduce my clients to the mechanisms that exist nowadays  to help romance ignite, explaining the pros and cons of each- from online dating to speed dating, to other sorts of activities that would put the client in contact with women who match the profile he has created for her.
These can include anything from twenties and thirties geared non-profit groups, to activity clubs, to classes, to events, etc. Then we evaluate which of those might contain the woman he is looking for, and we choose the one he is most comfortable embarking on to begin.  As he goes through that experience, I talk him through the process of whatever it is that he has chosen- how to integrate what he has learned into that real environment.
Sometimes this means going on-site with the client and literally coaching him through an event, fixing nervous or egregious behavior that has arisen and helping him to comprehend the scattered clues that most woman throw out upon first meeting them, waiting for the guy who can best pick them up and assemble them in the way that she expects.
And of course, just for fun and a little extra boost, I sometimes break out the stellar wing woman in me- using elementary tools of jealousy to make the client appear more attractive and desirable to other women, and also my knowledge of female psychology, in order to help my client open the conversation with the woman he finds appealing.
It’s not an easy or clean process- the men who really want to find an incredible woman must engage in this kind of self-discovery and image building in order to find her- and more importantly to keep her and satisfy her.
But again, finding this kind of relationship is what will make him happy for the long-term, and just as Will Smith deviated from being a clueless and emotionally insensitive- yet charming- fresh prince picking up babes on ABC, even he has morphed into this crucial process of struggle, self-discovery, and accomplishment, or rather, the pursuit of happiness.
The Expert in Seduction is so 1990s...

The "Expert en Seduction" is so 1990's...Au revoir, my friend

I’m about to start working with a private client, a successful and adorable man in his twenties. To many, the idea of being coached at “dating” is straight out of Hitched- socially awkward guys needing help from a suave pick-up artist in order to get hot girls.

However, just as Mr. Smith finds out in the film when he actually falls for someone- and his pick-up tools fail to impress her-, dating coaching is no longer about picking up hot girls- and is no longer reserved for the socially awkward. Several of my male friends- who were also acclaimed characters in the book The Game- all left the pick-up community, finding out that although it was fun, it was ultimately unfulfilling- that they wanted love and a sustainable relationship, not just a one-night stand. So even those masters in pick-up needed a new form of coaching, and this time, from a woman!

Because sustainable relationships create sustainable happiness.  And everyone wants to be happy, not just for a night or two, but for life.

So what is dating coaching about now? For my clients, it’s about self-exploration and consequent discovery; it’s about finding out how their behavior, past experiences, and emotional issues are keeping them from finding a sustainable relationship and happiness.

Once they are clued in to self-discovery, we embark on a quest to change those behaviors, patterns of thinking, and we come to terms with the past in order to feel comfortable- and confident- going forward into the world of women.

Then comes image- how are they presenting themselves? We work on dress, haircut, posture, eye contact, demeanor- all of the things that illustrate to a woman confidence and comfort with oneself.

After all, in an evolutionary sense, women are looking for providers and protectors- so although they seek sensitivity and emotional awareness as well- image and first impressions matter to her. Women ultimately want to know that a man could- and would- keep her safe and secure in a world of chaos and fluctuation. That’s why “nice guys” often lose out to alpha males:  although nice guys might be able to be in tune with a woman’s wants and needs, her most primary need is security, and many “nice guys” lack the image that illustrates confidence and this primary ability to protect and provide, while alpha males give that impression off right off the bat.

Then we go through exercises to determine what kind of woman would really make the man happy. This involves going through priorities- what matters the most to a man in his “ideal” woman- talking about if those terms are realistic, and prioritizing the things that matter to him the most in a mate. That way, he can understand that even if he finds a woman with only his top five “qualifications,” he is still a lucky guy and he should focus on what she has that he likes, as opposed to what she doesn’t have, or qualities that he dislikes.

Often, men will have a list of “must haves” which is simply impossible to fulfill- no one, and I mean no one, will have every single qualification you have dreamed up  to be present in your shining bride. That’s why a man has to choose the qualities  that are the most important to him.

Then we embark into the “dating scene.“ I introduce my clients to the mechanisms that exist nowadays  to help romance ignite, explaining the pros and cons of each: from online dating, likeMeezoog, to speed dating, to other sorts of activities that would put the client in contact with women who match the profile he has created for her.

These can include anything from twenties and thirties geared non-profit groups, to activity clubs, to classes, to events, etc. Then we evaluate which of those might contain the woman he is looking for, and we choose the one he is most comfortable embarking on to begin.  As he goes through that experience, I talk him through the process of whatever it is that he has chosen- how to integrate what he has learned into a real environment.

Sometimes this means going on-site with the client and literally coaching him through an event, fixing nervous or egregious behavior that has arisen and helping him to comprehend the scattered clues that most woman throw out upon first meeting a man, waiting for the guy who can best pick them up and assemble them in the way that she wants and expects.

And of course, just for fun and a little extra boost, I sometimes break out the stellar wing woman in me, using elementary tools of jealousy to make the client appear more attractive and desirable to other women, as well as utilizing my knowledge of female psychology to help my client open a conversation with the woman he finds appealing.

It’s not an easy or clean process, however the men who really want to find an incredible woman must engage in this kind of self-discovery and image building in order to succeed, and more importantly to satisfy this woman and to keep her.

But again, finding this kind of relationship is what will make the man happy for the long-term.

And this is the shift that has happened since the 90’s in the dating sphere: America’s preference has deviated from the charming and clueless ‘Fresh Prince’ to the man who struggles and goes the extra mile in order to find happiness. Hello Oscar.

Try Meezoog now to find your soulmate.

Your How to Guide to Happiness on Valentine’s Day: Whether you are single, committed, or in that funny place in between

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Valentine’s Day provokes a lot of strange emotional reactions: denial, sorrow, excitement, nervousness, guilt, anxiety, etc.

What I’m here to tell you is that everyone needs to chill-the-Valentine’s-Day-out.

This day is not holy, religious, or particularly crucial to the existence of mankind.

Just think about it like Halloween- some tradition picked up somewhere along the line that some people get really into and others don’t. And where we get to eat lots of candy without any guilt.

According to two men whom I accosted at Cafe Habana (thanx guys! you’re the best), men don’t even care about Valentine’s Day. They only pretend to care about it because most women do. To them, it is just another football Sunday.

They will go out of their way to do something sweet for their lady (if they have one) but only if she makes it clear that this is an important day to her.

So for the committed ladies: If you care, tell him. And don’t pretend not to care if you actually do care, because if he doesn’t do anything for you per your behavior towards the holiday, this will just end up resulting in unintentional, yet tangible resentment towards your significant other.

Yet don’t dictate plans for V- day either- if you have made it clear to him that you are down with V-day affection, let him use this as a chance to show you what you mean to him- and no, that doesn’t mean if the chocolate isn’t Godiva or the flowers aren’t roses that he doesn’t care about you- he went out of his way to engage in a sentimental holiday that he couldn’t care less about because he does care about you, no matter what the gift is that he gives.

Gift: Do or don’t? The best gift that a woman can give her boyfriend is a fun card and a viewing of lacy lingerie post-dinner. And if you are adventurous, get on the baking- everyone loves cookies and cupcakes.

For the committed men: Don’t be morons. If she has hinted to you about dinner reservations even once, that means she cares. And if you are reading this blog and still haven’t made one, your head is as thick as Skippy Peanut Butter. You do have alternatives to taking her out to dinner though- cooking dinner, for one, or- I thought this was adorable- as my friend at Cafe Habana did- getting her favorite takeout from all different restaurants- ie, chocolate cake from one place, mac n cheese from the mac and cheese place, pad thai from her favorite Thai restaurant, all capped off with a bottle of her favorite wine. Remember, you want to show her that you have made an effort.

You don’t have to go crazy finding the right gift- a bouquet of red roses (or if you want to change it up, pink or yellow) and a thoughtful or funny card will do plenty to sweep her off her feet. And if you really like her and have the cash, jewelry never hurts.

For the in-between men: If you are dating a girl, and you really like her and want things to go somewhere, a good idea is to take her out on Valentine’s Day. Your willingness to invite her out on a day traditionally reserved for couples will show her that you are serious about her. But hold off on the gift parade- a single red rose is just intimate enough to say, “I think you are beautiful and sexy,” but a card, flowers, and chocolate will probably send her running before your table is ready.

If you don’t want to get serious with the girl you are dating, do not take her out on Valentine’s Day- this will send her the wrong message and she will end up attached to you like half of America is to Family Guy.  You two can meet up another night.

For the in- between women: He invited you out to dinner. What do you do?

First, only say yes if you really like him, although let’s hope that you do since you are dating the guy.

Gift: do or don’t? Don’t. Just take extra care to look pretty, smell nice, be attentive and positive for the night,  and maybe, just maybe, wear cute undergarments :)

And make an extra effort to act like a lady- hold the spitting and burping for another night, please (although, for the love of G-d, I hope you never do this in front of men anyways other than your brother).

Single men: If there was ever a better day to find a single woman, I don’t know what that day would be. Everyone out on Valentine’s night is virtually guaranteed to be single. So you can walk up to women with an extra bit of confidence- because also, if she is out, she is not just single but S+L— single and looking.

Single ladies: Save the Ben and Jerry’s for a hot day in July. Use this day to think about the people you do love in your life, your family, your friends, whoever. This is an awesome day to chill with your other single friends, to A) realize how many women are also single and B) to live up your single life by perusing the bar at night for equally single men. How fun :)

Just remember, men are temporary, but friends, at least the good ones, are forever.

But above anything else, remember to enjoy your day, your lovers, your friends, whatever. Because A) It is a holiday and holidays= celebration, and B) You don’t have to work on Monday. I mean, really, what could be better?

For some good places to hunt and have a blast on the V-day, check out this blog: http://www.asylum.com/2010/02/11/celebrate-your-singledom-this-valentines-day/

and for couples looking for some romance, check out this one:
http://www.asylum.com/2010/02/11/new-york-city-valentines-day-guide-restaurants-events/

and of course, courtesy of the lovely Ms. Jacinto,  recession friendly Valentine’s tips:

http://www.minyanville.com/lifemoney/articles/valentines-day-plans-money-gifts-love/2/11/2010/id/26827?camp=syndication&medium=portals&from=yahoo

XOXO- The Dating Diva

The Beauty of Benefits

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
So, how did you end up at the Gala to support Anime?

So, how did you end up at the "We Heart Anime" Gala?

We were standing by the quesadillas and salsa. I eyed them speculatively, half-listening to my fellow Tufts alum standing next to me. “You see, I’m just really not meeting the types of girls I want to meet,” he said. I wondered if they had chicken in them or if it was just veggies. Not that it mattered. I reached my hand out, fingers descending upon a little cheesy tortilla.

“So do you have any suggestions?” he asked. “I mean, you are the dating diva, you must know.”

And the dating diva did not need to be chomping on cold Mexican food. I withdrew my hand like there was a cockroach looking up at me and focused myself on the sweet boy so candidly requesting my advice.

“Well,” I said. “You have different options, depending on the type of girl you are looking for.”

Without a blink, he said, “Well-bred.” Hmmm… I wondered if he was looking for a girl or had a secret horse fetish.

Nevertheless. I thought about broaching the online idea, but then dismissed it.  Some guys aren’t ready for online. They need to start slow.

I thought about it. Where did well-bred girls congregate?

“Honestly,” I said, “I think that a great place to meet that type of girl is at a charity event.” He looked intrigued by my response, if only slightly.

“See, the first thing that’s good about a benefit, is that everyone pays to get in. This immediately weeds out a lot of the golddiggers (and for the women, the slouches).” We talked about it for several more minutes until a girl came up to me from school who I hadn’t seen in ages, and when I bid him goodbye, Eric looked at the very least, satisfied, happy to have a new way to try and meet that special someone.

Benefits really do tend to attract the cream of the crop. First of all, all of the people there have made a commitment to humanity (although they may not realize it as such) by making a contribution to a good cause. They get immediate bonus points in the land of meeting a “good” guy or “good” girl- they actually care about something besides themselves.

Benefits are also great places to meet someone because you automatically have something in common to talk about.

Man: “So, how did you end up at the Gala for Endangered Tropical Fish?”

Woman: “Well, after my travels in Zambia I was really affected by the wildlife there…”

Man: “Wow, you’ve been to Zambia? That reminds me of a little trip I took to the Ivory Coast. Unbelievable- I never meet girls who have been to Africa….”

Blah, blah, blah and the next thing you know, those two are walking down the aisle, the fish they saved in tow.

Also, people at a charity event or benefit were either invited by the organizer, or the organizer’s friends, or friends of friends, etc. This means that everyone is socially connected to each other in some way, and those who are socially connected have more in common than a random sort of grouping you might find at a bar.

And if 4 am rolls around and you haven’t met anyone date-worthy, who cares? You should feel good about yourself for having expressed a commitment to humanity by supporting a good cause.

Lucky for you, if you just love this idea, Meezoog is sponsoring not one, but two charity events this week:  one, hosted tonight,  is a Valentine’s soiree at the Gates thrown by the YPCC (the Young Professionals Council for choice), and the other, hosted tomorrow night, Feb. 5, is a music- studded extravaganza held at Amnesia to support Disaster Relief in Haiti.

To get tickets for “I Heart Pro-Choice NY“, visit www.ypccny.org, and to get tickets for “Hope for Haiti,” visit www.haitidisasterfoundation.org.

You can get out on the town, do a good deed, and meet a compatible lover all in one night.Who ever said you couldn’t kill three birds with one stone?

How to Meet Women and Get Better in Bed at the Same Time

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Where are all the guys?

Where are all the guys?

I go to yoga class twice a week. It is my salvation, my peace, my relaxation and rejuvenation. Every Wednesday and Friday, there is one guy in my class, a young Asian man with a British accent.

I can never understand why there aren’t more men.

Because men are constantly asking me where to meet women— and all I can think of every time I go to yoga is how gender skewed the classes are, and how much men are missing out.

So let me tell you why the girl you are looking for is in fact, out there…somewhere between a sun salutation and warrior.

First of all, most of the girls in the yoga classes I’ve been to, and I have been all over the city to a multitude of different studios and gyms, are not just pretty, but beautiful, slender, and graceful.

Also, yoga is about self-awareness- bringing people into the practice who desire to get in touch with themselves or are in touch with themselves already. And people in touch with themselves are more adroit at getting in touch with others and others feelings.  The more in touch you are with yourself and with others, the better you are in any relationship, whether it be a romantic one or not.

Yoga is also about gratitude and openness, being derived from the Buddhist Faith, a faith that teaches peace, purity, and selflessness. At the beginning of each class, you are supposed to dedicate the class to something or someone. And at the end of each class, the students join together and say “Namaste,” or “The God/Goddess Spirit within me recognizes and honors the God/Goddess Spirit within you.”

What does that say about the nature of people who do yoga? They tend to be people who are open to the world and to others, and are interested in living in a state of contentedness and peace.

This means the women that you meet in yoga typically aren’t high-strung, jaded New Yorkers; they are women who embrace the spiritual roots of yoga- peace and gratitude- and they are women who have the patience and openness to breathe deeply and get through a yoga class, as difficult, deep, and often slow the class may be.

Also, yoga stretches out your entire body, limbering up areas that usually aren’t addressed in a normal stretching regimen, such as the hips and the chest. Yoga also works your core. The looser your hips, the tighter your core, and the more limber you are overall, the better you are in bed. And hello, can you say “new poses?” Let your imagination run wild…

Furthermore, yoga is so good for you that it’s kind of unbelievable we didn’t start doing it sooner. The below article cites “77 surprising health benefits of yoga,” from an increased metabolism to  lower blood pressure to overall cardiovascular and bodily health. It is also a terrific compliment to weight-lifting, helping muscles to repair and recover.

http://www.nursingdegree.net/blog/24/77-surprising-health-benefits-of-yoga/

So don’t ask me where to meet women.  Just get your butt to yoga.  Your competition will be nil, you will show women how spiritual and in touch with yourself you are (hot), and even if you don’t get a date out of it (which I seriously doubt, if you play your cards right) you still get to stare at a bunch of cute girls in tight clothes stretching for an hour.

Oh, and you’ll feel pretty darn awesome also.

Not bad, huh?

Still intimidated? Worried you are going to make a fool of yourself?

Take a class specifically for beginners- the teacher will help you into the poses and adjust you. Or just try it at the gym- these classes are usually pretty basic.

There will be some poses that are more stretching oriented that might be difficult for you, but you actually will find that you are better than women at some of the other poses which require arm, back, and leg strength.

Namaste :)

Good Studios

Laughing Lotus

Yoga Works

Yoga for the People (Suggested donation)

Bikram Union Square (Hot yoga- really hard but leaves you feeling incredible)

Come Buy With Me, But Don’t You Dare Dump Me…

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010
No you didnt...

I'm taking the dog.. and lighting all those ugly ties on fire...

This week’s Sunday Times Real Estate section featured the article, “Come Buy with Me and Be My Love,” by Hilary Stout.   The article said that due to a terrific buyer’s market, a lot of couples who are ‘planning to get married’ are buying homes prior to saying their vows.

But although real estate is so cheap right now that even I want to buy (which isn’t even possible),  the smiles on the featured couples’ faces less filled me with congratulatory excitement than they did with overwhelming dread.

Because it may just be me, but buying a home, like an actual house and property, with someone you are “planning to get married to” sounds like a pretty terrible idea.

Why is that?

Because plans change.

And if, or when they do, both parties are going to be screwed in a bad way, economically and emotionally.

First of all, as the article points out, real estate laws are designed for married couples acquiring assets: the rules when it comes to plain old couples acquiring assets, even “planning to get married” ones (and even those who actually do down the road), don’t really exist. For example, Ms. Stout points out that the income tax break currently being offered by the government to first- time home buyers, which can be divided between a husband and wife, cannot be divided between aboyfriend and girlfriend acquiring the same assets.’

And how about emotional well-being?

Break-ups are hard enough as it is, but when you own something together, be it a couch, a stereo system, or a home, things get a lot more complicated (and I’m not even mentioning kids here). In a bad way.

My friend Rita was living with her boyfriend for the past year-and-a-half. College sweethearts, he moved across the country just to be with Rita (how romantic).

But as of November 2009, Rita wasn’t doing so hot.

Nothing persay happened, but she simply fell out of love, as people do. She no longer wanted to be sexual with her boyfriend and started to be attracted to other men. She also began to realize that her painting career- the reason she had come to NYC in the first place- had fallen on the back burner in respect of a more pressing day-to-day existence: being a dutiful girlfriend and roommate.

Rita came to me for counsel. Being as young as she is, and without the uber-complicating factors of shared property or children, I encouraged Rita to work on the relationship as much as she could, but if after a while, she knew in her heart that it wasn’t going to work, she should end things.

Rita really already knew this. But she was still filled with buts. On top of saying goodbye to her best friend, there was a lease to get out of, furniture to divide, the task of finding a new place to live, etc. And a myriad of other things to take care of in order to peace out of the relationship, stat.

Rita finally decided to leave her beau, but it wasn’t easy. She just moved into a new place this past weekend.

But if there are these many issues when the only physical property at stake are some kitchenware and a lease, can you imagine how hard it would be when a house is involved? And a tax break that only one of you received? And a mortgage that only one of you paid? Assets that can’t be split down the middle because the state, the government, doesn’t recognize your union, however much in love you were- they only recognize you as individuals. They don’t care who paid for what or who didn’t. Uh-oh.

Buying together becomes even more frightening when it comes to a couple who hasn’t even lived together yet. And yes, this does happen.

What if two days after the kitchen is done, you realize that the person you “planned to get married to,” you legitimately can’t stand. And the idea of being trapped in isolation with them outside of the city, (because, let’s be real here, most couples can’t afford to buy in Manhattan)- the city where you have always lived, close to friends and other sources of entertainment- makes you want to take a gun to your head and to theirs?

Then you are s*** out of luck.

So, as Miss Stout says, “Look Before You Leap.” Because the likelihood of one or the other of you breaking a leg, and not being able to walk for a long, long time, is more likely than the chance that you will be throwing a bouquet or hopping on your knee anytime soon. So, better yet, don’t leap at all. Focus on loving for right now and the leaping will come later.

Meezoog.com- Real people, real profiles, and real love…irf…relationships…

15 Top Dating Resolutions for the New Year

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

We make plenty of resolutions each New Year’s, most of which we don’t keep. This New Year’s, why don’t we make resolutions that are a) feasible (as in, not “lose fifty pounds and make a million dollars”) and b) that will help improve our happiness factor and make us more available and desirable as a mate.
Follow this list, and you may be kissing your fiancée come next holiday season.

  1. Keep a journal: Try to write in it as much as possible, about anything and everything. At the end of each month, read through it and notice detrimental actions or thoughts that keep repeating themselves- think about what you can do to reverse these patterns.
  2. Get personal: Make an effort to use the phone instead of texting, to handwrite a letter vs. shooting off an email. Your relationships will thank you.
  3. Don’t use a date (or a mate) to make u feel better about yourself: You should like someone for them and not because they validate a part of you that needs affirmation. A relationship based on validation is only bound for disaster.
  4. Schedule a weekly “you” class: “You” classes can run the gamut from painting to flying lessons. What they all have in common, however, is that they provide you with a creative outlet, a space to reflect, a chance to improve upon a skill, and increase your general satisfaction with life.
  5. Toss your “type”: If you are still single (and don’t want to be), or tend to get hurt more often than not, something about your “type” isn’t working! So think about it: what matters to you more, a mate who is buff, blonde, and makes 100 grand a year or one who is kind, thoughtful, and funny? To recreate the person you should be looking for, break down the things that are most important to you through a MASH like method of categories, traits, and ratings. For a more detailed explanation of this method, go to http://www.meezoog.com/blog/?p=170, “The Magic Formula For Finding Your SoulMate.”
  6. Give people a chance: Don’t write off prospects for trivial flaws or slight misdemeanors- you may end up missing out on a really great catch.
  7. Trust your instincts: If something feels off about someone, you are probably right. If you know in your heart a relationship is not going to work out, don’t keep trying to make it work. Also, no one can make you like someone- at the end of the day you are the one talking to a person, going to bed with them, existing in their company. So although your mother and best friend may happily offer their two cents on your most recent date, the decision of whether or not to be with someone belongs only to yourself.
  8. Read two good books a month: Preferably a Pulitzer Prize Winner or National Book Award novel and one an interest based or self-improvement type book- these will give you insight into important societal issues and themes and insight into yourself. In addition, they will give you topics and ideas to talk about on your dates, or to bring up in that pivotal first conversation with a prospect.
  9. If you think that you have spotted the man or woman of your dreams, don’t make excuses; go talk to them: Either you will quickly find out that the fantasy person you have created is only that; a fantasy, or may not even speak English! (that has happened to me) or perhaps your dream mate radar is on target and they really are your future spouse. Either way, it is better to know rather than to fantasize and salivate over a stranger.
  10. Forget about looking stupid/celebrate your quirks: Your embarrassing addiction to race cars or tendency to blush when someone says something complimentary may just be the icing on someone’s cakes. Your quirks are what make you interesting and endearing- don’t waste any time or energy hiding them.
  11. Get out there!: You are not going to meet someone holed up on your couch watching “House,” and eating sashimi. Schedule one singles or networking event a month to get yourself out there, and in general, try to take your friends up on offers to socialize whenever you can. And yes, that means even when you are tired.
  12. Invest in your appearance: Flattering clothes, a good haircut, and some makeup can turn an ugly duck into a swan (RIP Brittany Murphy)- you don’t settle in other areas in your life, so why would you settle when it comes to your appearance? (Coming soon: “The Dating Diva’s Top Tips for How to Look Great on a Budget”)
  13. Join a Dating Network: The new and refined version of dating websites, dating networks (like Meezoog, for example), use sophisticated technology and real profiles in order to enable you to meet prospects with similar backgrounds and friends. Screen your mate before you meet them, feel them out online or on the phone, get the goods on them from a friend in common, and check them out on facebook before you go out on that date.
  14. Find a good therapist: Everybody, and I mean everybody, has things to work on and talk about candidly with someone unbiased and trained to help people improve upon themselves and their relationships. Go to your health insurance site and find a therapist now (Psychologists are preferable to social workers or psychiatrists- better training for therapy).
  15. Make dating a priority: Forget about that stupid cliché, “You are going to meet someone when you least expect it.” The only value that this saying has is reminding you not to look like a schlep when you leave the house. If having a relationship or dating more often is important to you in your life, then you have to prioritize it, like anything else; this includes strategizing your free time towards meeting single people with similar interests to you. The good news is that just by having gotten through this list, congratulations, you are already on your way!

Top 8 Tips to Meet Someone by New Year’s

Monday, December 21st, 2009
Me and...Myself? Not this New Years...

Me and...Myself? Not this New Year's...

Volunteer: Whether it is at a soup kitchen, an animal shelter, or your local religious establishment, get on your Good Samaritan shoes and go help humanity. You are not only likely to meet someone, but you know it will be someone who cares about others. What more could you ask for?

Holiday party- hop: Take advantage of holiday parties to meet people outside of your social circle. And also use it as a chance to really talk to people who strike your interest- the advantage of holiday parties is that they carry a congenial air; even the shiest person is infused with that friendly holiday vibe. In addition, as everyone knows someone at the party, there is more than likely to be a party guest who can give you goods on that blue-eyed gentleman you’ve been eyeing all night.
Bonus tip: Bake something for the party, no matter what sex you are. “Food is the way to a man’s heart,” as the saying goes (and I would beg to add- a woman’s- there is nothing sexier than a man who cooks). “Who baked the amazing fudge brownies?” the party will twitter. You will stand out before you know it. Cha-ching!

Join a Christmas Caroling group: While spreading good cheer around the neighborhood and giving those vocal chords a workout, you might also score yourself a pretty brunette soprano or a handsome tenor.

Join a Meet-up group: – Meetup groups (www.meetup.com) exist for just about every interest, whether intellectual (ex. book discussions) or hobby-oriented (ex. climbing). Sign up for an event and instantly meet tons of people who share your passion.

Join a Dating Network: – The new and refined version of dating websites, dating networks (like Meezoog, for example), use sophisticated technology and real profiles in order to create a social circle around you that simulates the circle you create in real life- what does that mean? Your potential mates are people with similar backgrounds, similar friends, and similar interests- not bad, huh?

Go to a Charity Event or Non-Profit Fundraiser: On the mailing list for a non-profit or charity group that is constantly throwing galas and events to raise money for its do-gooding? Cough up the cash and sign up for one- not only are you contributing to a good cause in a time where non-profits are desperate for funding, but you are likely to meet someone of a similar social caliber (they paid too, didn’t they?) with a heart towards humanity as well.
Bonus Tip: Support the charity whose activities interest or inspire you the most- there will be people at the event who feel the same way as you, enabling an instantly deeper connection than with someone you meet randomly at a bar.

Get away for a few days: Have a few days off for the holidays but your parents have retired to Mumbai? Or maybe you just don’t celebrate Christmas? Use the time to get away for a few days. Do it with an organized group to meet the maximum number of people and to travel worry and hassle-free. Try clubgetaway.com.

Go Speed Dating: You’ve always wondered about it, now go do it! A lower risk commitment than a blind date, and more casual than typical singles events, speed dating offers a way to meet tons of singles of the opposite sex in less time than it takes you to finish your martini.
Bonus Tip: Bring a single friend for ultimate fun, and don’t count out the opportunity to meet potential business contacts as well as dates! Bring plenty of business cards.

How to find the perfect gift for that special someone this holiday season – Top 20 Dos and Donts

Thursday, December 10th, 2009
Whats in the box? Whatever it is, it better be good...

What's in the box? Whatever it is, better be good...

People freak out about gift-giving, particularly when it comes to that special someone. So, just in time to help you out, here are the Dating Diva’s top tips for that clueless bunch of you who need to find, wrap, and gift, stat.

1. Do stay calm. Remember that the holidays are a time for bells and lights and all things joyous. This includes you. Finding the right gift for someone is really not something to get worked up over.

2. Don’t complain about the difficult search to your single friend. She/he might offer up a few suggestions half-heartedly, but will quickly become resentful. Every time you want to complain, instead comfort yourself with the thought that, unlike her and most of the single people in New York, you have someone in your life to buy a gift for.

3. Do join forces with a friend of the opposite sex who is also shopping for their significant other. Then, as you shop, you can bounce potential gift ideas off of your friend. He, or she, can quickly eliminate the presents that are not going to work.

And, if you are thinking of buying that person any form of clothing, take a friend with you who has a similar build as the person you are dating; they can then try on for size and model the options for you (WARNING: this does not include lingerie). Remember, things look way different on a person than they do on a hanger.

4. Don’t ask the salesperson for advice, unless it is a yes or no question. Many salespeople only get paid from commission. This is why when you pick up a fifty dollar lingerie set, or cologne, and ask their advice on it, they come back with one that is twice or even three times as much. Christmas season and gullible holiday shoppers = more money in their pockets.

5. Don’t think that the most expensive gift is the best gift. If there is any “best” gift, it is the most thoughtful one, not the most expensive.

That being said, if you do find something insanely expensive that you know they will love, do write down the model/style number and look for it online- you can almost always find it cheaper.

6. Do think about buying several small gifts instead of one big one, and putting them together in a neat way. Three gifts indicate that you thought about that person three times as much.

7. Do invest in beautiful wrapping paper and ribbons; or if you are bad at wrapping, invest in a lovely girl raising money for charity who has set up a wrapping stand. Presentation is, if not everything, pretty darned important.

8. Do ask your significant other what he or she wants this holiday season. And listen! Although what they list aren’t your only options, they give you a better idea of the types of things they are thinking about, and possible last resorts if you can’t find anything good on your own.

9. Do ask their family for advice, particularly a sister or brother. Someone good to ask is also one of their close friends.

10. Do take the time to write or pick out a thoughtful card. A good card can be the make or break on an iffy gift.

11. Do think customized gifts. Customized gifts make someone feel special, whereas generic gifts make someone feel like they may as well be the mailman or a teacher.

12. Do look for presents you can’t get just anywhere. Boutiques and open-air markets are great places to look for unique presents.

13. Do use your skill set. If you are a poet, write a romantic poem, put it on parchment, and frame it. If you are a musician, compose a song and record it. Convinced you aren’t creative? Trust me, you can be. Just think hard.

14. Don’t get them a pet unless you know for sure that they want one. Pets are huge commitments, and there is nothing worse than having to return a tiny puppy. Not good.

15. Do look around their home the next time you are there, particularly their room (no, this does not mean snooping through their underwear drawer). Are the paintings on the walls colorful or black and white? Are there posters in different languages? What languages? Is there a particular celebrity or band around? Look also at the colors and the complexity level of their home- this tells you whether they prefer an ornate present or one stunning in its simplicity.

16. Do accompany them the next time they say they are going shopping (however painful this may be for you)and take notice of the types of things they pick out or admire. This can be really helpful.

17. Do send them a carefree, funny online holiday card, no matter what you end up getting them. There is nothing that brightens up a work day like a frog in a Santa suit (or better yet, Moses in a Santa suit) hopping around the computer screen of your cubicle, rapping Hanukkah carols.

18. Do start keeping an eye out now. The best presents may pop up when and where you least expect them.

19. Do expand your gift list. If you are close with their family, send their family a holiday card or get them a small gift. Also, if they have a sibling under 13, buy them some type of gift as well. This will show that you are not only thoughtful, but generous and caring (WARNING: do not do this unless you are prepared to have them fall in love with you).

20. Do trust your instincts. You will know when you find the right gift. Instead of second guessing yourself, just buy it. And if they don’t like it, then they are not the person for you anyways. That old cliche is true, “A gift isn’t really about the gift, it’s about the person who is giving it.” So stay awesome and don’t sweat it.

For great, economical gift ideas, read “Gifts that Won’t Break Your Budget.”

Still looking for that special someone? Don’t worry, there’s still time. Look on Meezoog now to find love this holiday season.

Best dates = Booze-free

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

A comment was posted on one of my earlier blogs regarding the use of alcohol as a confidence booster on a date. Anything like this I may have said was probably along the lines of “If you are so nervous that you are about to choke on your soup and cause a scene straight out of Mrs. Doubtfire, better to have a glass of wine than to get the Heimlich maneuver from your waiter, or worse, your date.”

But let’s take this opportunity to talk about alcohol consumption and dating. Because as behavior is affected, and in some cases, our personalities, by the consumption of alcohol, it is important to talk about it as a legitimate ingredient in the dating recipe.

Drinking too much on a date, or out, can be catastrophic for either sex. This is why it is important to constantly be aware of, and monitor, your alcohol intake.

First of all, one glass of wine does not equal an entire bottle. Don’t let nerves carry you into gulping down your beverages like a frat boy doing a keg stand at Harvard-Yale, because you will be drunk before you can say, “Boo.” And once you can’t see straight, you can’t see straight.

Watching alcohol intake is particularly poignant for women, who are affected by alcohol faster and more potently than men. Particularly if one is drinking on an empty stomach, the gracious lady in the pencil skirt and Gucci heels may be tripping over a chair on her way to the restroom before she knows it. So ladies, even if your date is still drinking, once you know that you have had enough, say “Caput.” If you feel awkward without a drink in your hand, ask for a water or a seltzer with lime. Whatever you do, do not try to match the alcohol intake of your date. Remember, he could weigh twice as much as you, which means he can consume twice as much.

Even if you are not drinking on an empty stomach, say a dinner date perhaps, it is still important to watch alcohol intake. Because let’s face it, how much do women really eat on dates anyway? Two bites, maybe three? This does not actually constitute putting food in your stomach, and it will not temper the effects of a significant amount of alcohol.

And in respect to a woman’s acute alcohol sensitivity, I advise men to be clear to a woman about whether she should be expecting dinner or just drinks.

There is nothing worse than taking a woman out who is expecting dinner (and therefore, hasn’t eaten), and then just ordering drinks. She will be unpleasantly inebriated within an hour, and may even end up falling asleep on the table on the hour and a half mark. And don’t ask a girl on a drink date, if you are trying to assess whether to take her to dinner from drinks, “Have you eaten?“ unless you preface it with, “I’m starved, have you eaten?“ Because even if she is hungry, a girl will never say yes to the first question, not wanting to put you in an awkward position. But also don’t take a woman out to eat if you have already eaten- she won’t be comfortable ordering and eating alone while you sit there across the table foodless, regardless of whether or not you plan on picking up the bill.

If you don’t want to take a girl for a formal dinner, try a tapas bar or a dessert date: both casual replacements for a dinner that won’t center the night around drinking, which as we said, can be catastrophic.

Why is that? For both sexes, drinking excessively on a date may cause you to say or do things that under normal circumstances, you never would. And most of the time these things are not advantageous to you or the potential relationship on the table.

This may be hard to remember while you are sipping down one yummy martini after the next, but it is quite easy to comprehend when your phone never again receives a call or text (ok, or bbm) from that person. Could it be because you drank too much and ended up rambling on and on about your ex for the entire night? Or the threesomes you had on college spring break in Mexico? With two locals? If you are thinking, Yikes!, right about now, you are one hundred percent on target.

Alcohol can also cause two people to become sexual before it is good for their relationship, setting up a sexual standard for the rest of their dating relationship (if there is one), that is nearly impossible to change.

So rather than making a date drink-centric, save your face and your wallet by taking her out on a date that is booze-free.

Women love plays, and movies, and mini-golf, and concerts, comedy shows and gallery openings- some may even like Yankees games, if you are lucky (and not from Boston)- and he list goes on and on, particularly in New York.

Taking a woman on an alcohol-free date shows her that you are confident about yourself sans alcohol, and that you are actually trying to get to know her (and not trying to get her into bed). These types of dates, which require more thinking, also indicate to a woman that you are cultured, well-rounded, and resourceful.

Need ideas? Three of the nicest dates that I have been on have been: a) a ghost tour of Boston, b) sharing a chocolate ice cream waffle at Max Brenner’s (although the guy did turn out to be a jerk), c) grilling smores at an Asian barbeque restaurant, d) holding hands at a Feist concert.

So stop drinking and get thinking! Your dating life, and your dates, will thank you.

BBM Buddy: The New Pen Pal

Monday, November 16th, 2009

“Want to be my bbm buddy?” he asked tentatively. “Your what?” I responded. Was this some sort of weird sexual request? “Your bbm buddy,” he repeated, looking slightly aghast. I looked at him blankly. “You know, on your blackberry?”

“Oh,” I said. New to the world of blackberries, I was starting to recall the term from somewhere. But I still had no idea what it meant.

Ten minutes later, his explanation had sufficed, and the deed was done. I had given him my pin.

I still futz around with bbm, but I am starting to get the hang of it. The glory of bbming (blackberry instant messaging) is that you can see multiple responses at once, without having to open them one at a time like with texts. Also, you can see all of your conversations with a particular contact at once.

I’m not really explaining this well. Probably because I am still figuring it out.

But suffice it to say that bbming is the most advanced form of instant messaging.

I probably like bbming because I have fond, nostalgic memories of good old AIM.

I remember sitting in front of my computer, procrastinating from doing my homework, a braces-filled 13 year old, the windows popping up like candy. I coudn’t even respond to them as fast as they appeared. It was a challenge, a test of social competency. And I loved it.

Before that, I had a pen pal from Israel. We wrote back and forth in Hebrew. I loved receiving her letters and writing back to her. We never knew when, or if, we would see each other again, but yet we shared a special relationship, and kept a friendship going, through our letters.

All of these modes of communication enable us to keep and foster the relationships in our lives, whether they are friendships or romantic relationships. By bbming someone, gchatting, texting, emailing, or writing, it says to the person, I am thinking of you. And very often, this is also an indication that you care about the person and about your relationship with that person.

Particularly in a romantic situation, especially if you don’t see the person everyday, a simple “How is your day going?,” can be priceless. It indicates that you are genuinely interested in that person and care about what is going on in their lives, even if it isn’t you. This implies selflessness, which is an invaluable trait in a mate.

So keep in touch. Even if you are busy, it doesn’t take long to send a quick email, or bbm, or whatever, saying, “Hey, I’m sorry i have been MIA, but just wanted to say hi and see how you are.” Or tell them about a funny occurrence in your life that somehow relates to an inside joke you have with them. Keeping in touch will work wonders for your friendships, your romantic relationships, and how people view you: as someone who cares about people other than themselves.

Keeping in touch will also help you if you ever need a favor from someone- you won’t be asking out of the blue, and they will be more likely to fulfill it if they feel good about their relationship with you (or feel like they even have one).

So get out of here and go get in touch with someone you haven’t talked to in ages, and think is particularly awesome. Or send that girl you are dating a quick, “How’s your day going?”

Remember, the fuller our relationships, the fuller are our lives. And possibly our text message boxes.

Keep in touch with friends you know now on Meezoog! It’s not too late…