A simple summary of the little tips on things to look out for during your first date!

Have a First Date Backup Plan
No matter how many time you confirm plans, or how solid you think something is, anything can happen on a first date. Maybe one of you runs into an ex, or the show you’d planned to attend was canceled. No matter what plans the two of you have created for your first date, make sure to have a backup plan, just in case.

Plan a Short First Date
No matter how well you think you’ll get along, a first date can change everything. Why be stuck on an all-day wine tour with someone if you aren’t feeling the sparks? Try keeping your first date to no more than one or two hours. Then, if things are going really well, you can always extend the date longer, later.

Don’t Be Late To a First Date
There is nothing worse than sitting waiting for a first date to show up, not knowing whether they’ve stood you up or are merely running a bit behind. So save everyone the extra stress – since first dates are stressful enough – and make a point of being there on time.

Agree on First Date Attire
This first date tip could be as simple as ensuring both of you are on the same page clothing-wise so that no one shows up inappropriately dressed for the occasion, to letting each other know about one piece of unusual clothing that will make you stick out in a crowd – because having to ask several people if they are your date isn’t at all fun.

Offer Appropriate First Date Compliments
If the person you’re on a first date with has something about them that appeals to you, don’t hesitate in saying so. But anything more than a compliment or two will make you sound desperate, and that’s not the kind of first impression you’re looking for. As well, be sincere, honest and flattering, but try to keep the first date compliments to things you wouldn’t feel uncomfortable about if your mother overheard them.

Drink Responsibly on a First Date
Several dating disasters shared by other single readers have focused on overflowing alcohol as the main source of conflict during a first date. So to avoid these kinds of issues, keep your intake to a minimum if you do oblige.
Spend Equal Amounts of Time Talking and Listening on a First Date
Ever been on a date with someone who didn’t know how to listen? How about a person who had nothing to say for themselves? Either situation can spell first date disaster. For more shy folks, prepare yourself with some conversation starters, while those who are a bit more outgoing are responsible for making sure they aren’t the only one talking.

Groom Yourself for a First Date
It should go without saying, but unfortunately many singles still complain about first date grooming mistakes, such as meeting someone with food stuck in their teeth, bad body odor, or clothing that is way too revealing for a first date.

For the full article on dating tips, go to http://dating.about.com/od/firstdates/tp/firstdate.-0Uo.htm

The Social Development Network Singapore is organizing a Dating Fiesta at the Suntec City on 20th February. Hahahhaa, Beth is pretty excited because we get to rub shoulders with Mediacorp hunk Nat Ho and babe Paige Chua. =P SHe thinks Nat is cute.

The Dating Loft is having a segment on stage, which means I will be on stage to do a fun and interactive (hopefully) with the singles there. Main theme is how do we make ourselves right to attract and keep the right ones.

So spread the word and hope to see more singles at the fiesta. More information can be found on http://www.itsadate.com.sg/index.php

Received a hilarious email from a  friend of mine who read my previous post  “Ask for the Sky, Be the Cloud first”. Being the cool, rational INTJ he is, he decided to see if what I wrote makes sense…. Here is what he emailed me:

“As you know, a cold and emotionless man of hard science like me who is devoid of feelings would only be convinced by numbers… So I pulled out the recent Singapore census and some related data.. did some crunching and came up with a shocking figure (assuming my numbers didn’t mess up)…

Assuming that I target a single Chinese female who falls betweeen 25 – 34 who are in broad selected religious groups and have a degree, I am down to only about 26,000 ladies. This is not even counting those who may be attached. So the real number that I could be looking at may be 10,000?? And of which maybe less than half will think I don’t act funny or think I look ugly???

For the fun of it, I thought I share the excel file and the data with you.

So there u have it, statistical proof that I need to be a Cloud first before I can ask for the Sky… It’s crazy but TRUE!”

“I did the stats study for the fun of it lah. It was also to provide mathematical proof of what you wrote. So yes, I joke that I should target blondes and Mainland Chinese now (larger population base to begin with!).. but the findings reinforces the moral of the story that local singles should not be too choosy. Whilst I joke about it, I did share the findings with my attached friends… telling them how lucky they are to be attached to such an eligible guy or gal… ” – reproduced with permission.

I received this result when I tried the free online assessment at http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jTypes2.asp

Like the other Idealists, Champions are rather rare, say two or three percent of the population, but even more than the others they consider intense emotional experiences as being vital to a full life. Champions have a wide range and variety of emotions, and a great passion for novelty. They see life as an exciting drama, pregnant with possibilities for both good and evil, and they want to experience all the meaningful events and fascinating people in the world. The most outgoing of the Idealists, Champions often can’t wait to tell others of their extraordinary experiences. Champions can be tireless in talking with others, like fountains that bubble and splash, spilling over their own words to get it all out. And usually this is not simple storytelling; Champions often speak (or write) in the hope of revealing some truth about human experience, or of motivating others with their powerful convictions. Their strong drive to speak out on issues and events, along with their boundless enthusiasm and natural talent with language, makes them the most vivacious and inspiring of all the types.

Fiercely individualistic, Champions strive toward a kind of personal authenticity, and this intention always to be themselves is usually quite attractive to others. At the same time, Champions have outstanding intuitive powers and can tell what is going on inside of others, reading hidden emotions and giving special significance to words or actions. In fact, Champions are constantly scanning the social environment, and no intriguing character or silent motive is likely to escape their attention. Far more than the other Idealists, Champions are keen and probing observers of the people around them, and are capable of intense concentration on another individual. Their attention is rarely passive or casual. On the contrary, Champions tend to be extra sensitive and alert, always ready for emergencies, always on the lookout for what’s possible.

Champions are good with people and usually have a wide range of personal relationships. They are warm and full of energy with their friends. They are likable and at ease with colleagues, and handle their employees or students with great skill. They are good in public and on the telephone, and are so spontaneous and dramatic that others love to be in their company. Champions are positive, exuberant people, and often their confidence in the goodness of life and of human nature makes good things happen.

This does sounds like me =P This MBIT test is not about pigeon-hole-ing people, only suggesting a person’s disposition towards a certain way of processing/receiving information and knowledge and the way we prefer to do things…

#Tip: This has major implications for relationships – sit down with your partner and find out each other’s MBIT type. In understanding how he/she tends to perceives things and uses information, you might find out the underlying reasons for the friction that seems to be eating away at your relationship.