25 Little-Known (But Guaranteed!) Ways To Impress A Woman
None of them are pick-up lines.
LightField Studios / Shutterstock Two men stood at the bar discussing the attractiveness of a young woman who was sitting with a girlfriend about 20 feet away. Finally, after about 15 minutes, the object of their attention walked up to the bartender and requested a martini.
The shy one had called "dibs" but said nothing as they stood nearly two feet apart. Finally, after a painfully silent minute and a half, she accepted her drink and walked back to her table.
"Why didn't you say anything?" the good-looking 30-something asked his well-intentioned buddy.
"I didn't want to give her a line," he said.
His friend shook his head and laughed, "Man, you have no game. You have anti-game. All you need to do is toss a line out and get in, then you tell them what they want to hear. It's 80 percent effective, I tell you."
I laughed loud enough for them to hear me.
The playboy took it as an invitation, the shy one stood there with a look of gratitude on his face, and we spent the next hour discussing how to make a girl like you and what really impresses a woman. At the end of the conversation, only one of the men walked out with a phone number.
Spoiler alert: It wasn't the one with "game." This list is, in part, a result of the conversation and a little bit of a guide for men to learn the ways to impress women.
Note: Ladies, don't let the title fool you; we are not off the hook. These tips work equally well for women looking to impress men and are really just about mutual respect. What's "hotter" than that?
Here are 25 little-known, but guaranteed, ways to impress a woman:
1. Act like an adult
This is such a big one, guys. Let's first discuss what is not acting like an adult. Basically, it's doing anything a 13-year-old girl would do. This includes, but is not limited to: ignoring texts, ending texts with "!!!" or "?!", throwing tantrums, calling names, and making statements to which "I know you are, but what am I?" could be accurately applied.
2. Make a decision
Wishy-washy is not decisive. Decisive is secure, and women like security.
3. Think things through and have a plan
Throwing caution to the wind is fun when you're booking a weekend getaway, not when you're looking at your future.
4. Have an opinion about things
Just recognize that it's just an opinion and allow room for the opinions of others. Especially hers. Especially in front of other people.
5. Be transparent
If you want to see her, say so. If it's just a booty call, say so. If you want a relationship, say so. If you're not sure what you want, leave her alone.
6. Be as supportive and proud of her career as you are of yours
Believe me, this will set you apart.
7. When having sex with her, focus on more than just recreating the porn video you just watched
And do that amazing thing you do much slower.
8. Bring her flowers
Do this on days that are not her birthday, your anniversary, or one in which you screwed up. Better yet, screw the flowers. Write her a letter.
9. Give good eye contact
Seriously, it works like giving her two glasses of wine.
10. Invite her out
Ask her if there is any place that she'd like to go or if you can make the plans. Then make some great ones and be on time.
11. When you ask her how her day was, pay attention to her response
One of the ways to impress a woman is by listening to her and asking if you can help before you start telling her what to do.
12. You know what your mother said
It was rude.
13. Ask her to dance
Bonus points if you're alone in your apartment.
14. Unless it's a threat to your life or the life of someone you love, handle yourself like nothing can break you
Not because you're not vulnerable, but because sh*t happens and you're smart and strong enough to deal with life.
15. Stay quiet and calm when you want to yell and scream
Do you really want to look like a teething 2-year-old?
16. Treat her the way you would want a man to treat your daughter
Would you want a man to start sending or asking for body shots as soon as he got her number? Not call her after sleeping with her? Cheat on her? Treat her disrespectfully in any way? OK, then.
17. Give her the benefit of the doubt
Especially when you least think she deserves it.
18. Trust her
Don't assume friendships with men mean she can be stolen from you, wants to make you jealous, or doesn't respect you.
19. If you're going to end it, end it clearly, respectfully, and with dignity
Don't play the "I need time" game. If, in time, you want her back, come back and see if she still wants you and go from there.
20. Call when you say you will call, be where you say you will be, and do what you say you will do
Enough said.
21. Know when and how to apologize
Don't be sorry she felt that way, be sorry you did it.
22. Use your words wisely
Communicate effectively. Clarify misunderstandings. Say "I love you" "I am sorry" and "I will call you" only when you mean it.
23. When she gets emotional, don't do any of the following
Mention anything having to do with any time of the month, refer to her as a "nag" (or worse), try and "fix" it, tell her she "should not" feel that way, or respond with any statement that shows that you have it worse than she does.
24. Be respectful, even when you're mad
Even when ending it. Even after you have ended it. Even if she will never know.
25. Know the difference between opinion and fact
Bonus points: If you love her, fight for her, not with her.
Brenda Della Casa is the Editor-in-Chief and Digital Content Strategist at Preston Bailey Designs, the Founder of BDC Life In Style, and the author of Cinderella Was a Liar.