Even More Ladylike Behavior

12. A lady knows how to behave on a first date. I'm not going to tell you 5 tips and tricks to hook the guy you want and keep him (yes, I do know some of those; no, they have not served me well... just be yourself, okay?). But I will tell you how a lady behaves on a first date.

• Apparel - I don't remember who said this, but my favorite first-date apparel advice is this: don't wear anything your mother couldn't wear. This doesn't mean you have to dress exactly like your mother; it does mean that you're not wearing anything too short, too clingy, too tight, or too low-cut. You know your body type. You know what looks appropriate and what doesn't. A real lady knows flaunting her bosoms isn't going to give off the right message.
• Etiquette - Remember to let him hold the door for you. A way to make this easy for him is, just before you reach the door, to slow your walking pace a tiny bit so that he gets there first. Don't make a big show of it. At dinner, use your manners - don't talk with your mouth full, use your utensils properly, take small bites, don't drink too much... you know the drill.
  
• Conversation - Keep it appropriate, and be genuine.

I'm not a dating guru - I don't know how long you should hold eye contact, or what drink you should order, or when to toss your hair. But I do know that if you behave like a lady, you are far more likely to attract gentlemen than if you behave like a total goober.