Today, my friend Devon asked my advice about how to escape a girl dilemma. Again.

“So, how does a guy go about letting a girl know he’s interested in a second date, aside from actually saying ‘Let’s go out again soon.’?” He wondered.

A valid question, although I had to squirm a little because his earnest gaze showed a complete lack of creativity in this department, which a girl never likes to see. “Well, first of all, did she act like she was having a good time, and do you think she likes you?” I returned.

He met my direct gaze with a WTF expression. “How could I possibly know that?”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself unwillingly dishing out hints to a male friend about what to do next in the ongoing pursuit of a girl, and sometimes I can’t help but feel that I am regurgitating the same information over and over and over. It’s like third grade cafeteria food, they make the same mistakes over and over again, week by week, and yet the taste never gets better.

So now I’m going to blanket advise the entire subject of first dates. Because, honestly, men. You can read as many articles as you want, ask as many friends, and battle plan from here until doomsday. But there really isn’t all that much you need to know.

Here is ONE tactic that will solve all of your first date insecurities, decrease your constant wondering about “what’s going on with her”, completely smother that doorstep scene awkwardness, and ultimately, will make sure that she will always remember you as a good date. No matter what else happens.

You need to learn how to READ GIRL.
Just like any other language, reading is the first step to learning how to speak and understand it. What she wants, what she’s really saying, what she thinks of you… all of these questions are directly answerable in any given situation. IF you PAY ATTENTION.