Start by knowing the first thing you're going to say to the girl you have your eye on before you say it. It doesn't have to be anything especially exciting – just an invitation to talk. Try bringing up the weather if you're outside, or the decor if you're somewhere indoors. At a party, bring up something about the party or ask how she met the host or hostess. Just have a starting line picked out before you begin. If your prompt elicited a cold response, you have two options: give up or go straight to a flirt and hope for the best. If, on the other hand, the girl responded warmly to you, it's time to let your conversational skills shine.  Talking to someone you've only just met is challenging for both of you. If you make it easier for her she'll appreciate it. Try offering a few opinions on something inconsequential, such as the music in the background. Keep it honest, and see how she responds. Listen to what she says and ask her for more details about her opinion. By putting yourself out there first, you are making it safe for her to follow suit and agree or disagree with your opinion. Try not to turn the conversation into an interview, asking things like: “What do you do?” “Where do you live?” “Where did you go to school?” in rapid succession.  Instead, turn such questions into statements (like "You look like you're from Rome" or "I bet you're an event planner"). You'll seem bolder and give her room to respond more naturally, which will help her relax and enjoy the talk. Humor is universal, and finding someone who appreciates your personal sense of humor is a great feeling. On the other hand, someone who lets your jokes fall flat is probably neither interested in you nor worth pursuing, which makes humor a great way to test the waters without being awkwardly upfront about it. Even if you think your sense of humor is too quick, subtle, or strange for most people to appreciate or understand, unleash it during your conversation. If the girl you're talking to is interested, she'll hang on your jokes and laugh at them even when other people don't. Whatever compliments you make should come up naturally. The key to a good conversation is to talk about things you both feel comfortable discussing. When you find a way to give her a compliment or a flirt that doesn't break the flow of the conversation, go for it; otherwise, keep your pickup lines to yourself. The only possible responses a woman can give to a blatant compliment are to agree with it (in which case she seems full of herself), disagree (in which case she seems embarrassed), or throw the compliment back at you, which is generally unlikely, especially early on in the conversation. It's more important to show that you're fun company than it is to explicitly state that you find her attractive, which should already have been obvious from the fact that you came over and started running your game on her. Girls like a guy who is secure and comfortable in his own skin. Never shy away from answering questions about yourself honestly. Most girls prefer the guy who builds robots in his basement and has the moxie to say so with a smile over the guy who acts ashamed or embarrassed about it. Don't be afraid to make gentle criticisms (making them in the form of questions, as in “but isn't that kind of silly?” is a good way to do this) or gentle jokes at her expense, as long as you don't make very many. Girls appreciate it when a guy seems interested but not dazzled, because it means he's less likely to become too attached too quickly and make things uncomfortable for them. On the other hand, someone who's constantly making mean jokes at her expense is just going to seem rude and childish. When it's time to wrap up the conversation, cut things off on a high note and ask for her number.  Say that you're having a great time, but it's time for you to head back home/off to work/whatever you were planning to do next.  If she says she doesn't want to give you her number, be gracious and wish her a good rest of the day. If you do get her number, call within a day or two and see about scheduling a date for the weekend. The best first dates are those that do not require a lot of silent time together. Avoid concerts and movies. Instead, suggest something that will give you both room to talk, and which does not cost a lot of money. Have an idea and a couple of alternates ready ahead of time; most women prefer it when the man decides on the date.  If you have a guess about something out of the ordinary that you think she'll appreciate, such as renting a paddle boat, suggest that; otherwise, stick to lunch, coffee, or drinks somewhere. All of these options provide plenty of opportunities for uninterrupted conversation and (if you're lucky) a first kiss. Offer to pay for the first date, but don't insist on it. Some women find the notion that a man should pay for every date insulting, and will prefer to split costs with you or pay their own way. Whatever your date prefers, go along with it.  Give her some space. This is a first date, not a marriage contract. Once you've settled on a time and place, don't call her again until it's time to meet. You'll have plenty of time to talk then. If she calls and asks to reschedule, give her the benefit of the doubt – after all, if she wanted to reject you, she could already have done so before now. Be patient and flexible.

Summary: Have a line ready. Build the conversation. Use humor. Keep compliments subtle. Show your spine. Ask for her number. Prepare for a first date.


Use a pot that can hold three quarts of water to allow for the lobsters. Make sure that the water is thoroughly boiling. Simmer, uncovered for eight to 12 minutes. You know that it is nearly ready when the shell of the lobster turns bright red. The exposed meat will more tender as well. It may even start to separate from the lobster’s outer shell. Remove and let cool for 10 minutes. The lobster tail will be very hot after removing it from the boiling water. Let the lobster tail cool on a plate or a napkin for 10 minutes. Sometimes, the outer shell contracts after you remove the tail from the boiling water. Take your scissors and cut more shell off to make eating the tail easier.

Summary: Bring six cups of salted water to a boil. Add the lobster tail to the boiling water. Drain the water. Cut away more of the shell, if needed.


Removing the marker stain will be easier if you have all your materials ready and accessible before you start. You’re going to need:  A mild abrasive cleaner or enzyme cleaner. You can get these at any big box store and most supermarkets. Rubbing alcohol, also available at most supermarkets, drugstores, and big box stores. A damp washcloth. Hold a clean washcloth under running water and squeeze out the excess water. You want to make sure the spot you’re cleaning is facing up so that the cleaner doesn’t run down the surface of the wood. Make sure you cover the entire area of the marker stain. Let the cleaner sit for 2-3 minutes. Wipe in a circular motion until you remove the stain. This may take a few minutes. Rinse any remaining cleaner from the wood using a clean corner of your damp washcloth. If the stain is still there after using cleaner, soak your washcloth in rubbing alcohol. Wipe the alcohol-soaked washcloth over the stained area a few times, then rinse.
Summary: Gather your materials. Turn the piece of wood so that the marked surface is accessible. Spray the abrasive or enzyme cleaner onto the surface of the wood. Wipe off the marker stain with a damp washcloth. Remove remaining marker with a washcloth soaked in rubbing alcohol.