Valentine's Day Dating Ideas

Guys, if you want to get here, then you'll have to put in the work.

It's that time of the year when everyone gets all comfy and cozy with a significant other. The weather outside is cold (in most places), so why not find a way to have a nice evening followed by cuddling in bed afterwards, right? However, here's the dilemma: what do you do for Valentine's Day?

Well, I'm going to make some suggestions and give some Valentine's Day dating ideas to some of the guys out there to help you out!  Am I an expert?  Absolutely not. However, I will do my best to hopefully trigger an idea that you can run with and possibly use.

The first thing to consider is: just how well do you know her?  It's awkward to meet someone new around Valentine's Day because you don't know her expectations of you in regards to the holiday.  What if your first date happens to fall on V-Day?

You don't want to go all-out for a woman you just met at the coffee shop a week ago, so you have to evaluate what works.  If you do too much, then it may creep her out.  Or, it could do the opposite and make her look at you as a sugar daddy.  So, try to find a balance.  If you've never been out with her before and you don't know too much about her, then I would suggest a double date.  No, not the traditional "double date."  I mean Valentine's lunch and Valentine's dinner (if possible).  For lunch, I'd suggest an inexpensive, but decent spot (without the rush) and maybe bring her a single rose to acknowledge that she's your Valentine.

This is when you want to get all of the ice-breaking out of the way and try to get to know her as much as you can on an hour lunch break.  When it's night and the setting is somewhat romantic, the mood and newness can cause some reluctance to open up in conversation.  However, in the brightness of the mid-afternoon in a lunch setting, people tend to be more comfortable and forthcoming.

This will allow you to pick a more romantic spot for the evening.  Avoid the movies with a newbie.  You can't talk in a movie, so you're basically wasting two hours (three hours if you're seeing Django Unchained) of not being able to get face-to-face conversation.  Movies are for couples. You're not a couple yet. I would suggest dinner somewhere there's live music.  Since you've already gotten to know her a little at lunch, you won't have to worry about talking over the music to ask her about the things she likes to do.

Break the ice at lunch, if possible.  That makes dinner more comfortable.

Don't act as if you have something else to do. Forgot to set your DVR for "Scandal?" Well, catch it on Hulu or something, but don't keep looking at your watch. Keep your cell phone on vibrate and make sure that it never leaves your pocket. If someone you're trying to get to know doesn't feel as if she has your attention, then you may lose her interest.

"Oh, no!  I'm missing Olivia Pope and President Fitz!"

Absolutely, do not order more than one drink!  I know that some of you think that you can hold your liquor, but two drinks, especially if you're driving, may cause her to feel as if you're irresponsible.  Now, if you are both known drinkers, then this may not be an issue.  But, if you don't know if or how much she drinks, then don't show her that you're a lush.

"Zzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!"

After dinner, don't get too aggressive.  If she's a more progressive type, then she'll hint that the evening is not done.  Don't try and force yourself upon her or you could be in for a face slap or a knee to "the package."  The last thing you want to do is feel as if you're owed something for dinner.  Dinner bought you her time, nothing else.  If you wanted quid pro quo, then you should have saved your money to go to The Bunny Ranch instead.

"Nothing between us but air and opportunity!  Gimme the wet mouth, girl!"

As for someone that you have dated for a while or married, there are tons of options. However, maybe it's best to do whatever it is she wants to do. Let's face it, fellas: Valentine's Day is a woman's holiday. Sure, some women like to do things for their man on 2/14, but it's usually all about her. A second birthday, so to speak. A third birthday if she celebrates Mother's Day, too. So, make it about her. If this person truly means the world to you, then why not give it to them?  Besides, if you do a good enough job, then you will likely get a gift at the end of the evening... unwrapped.

But, for long term couples, there are some pitfalls that guys need to avoid: Don't make it like any other date. If you and your lady go out to eat regularly, then don't take her to a normal spot (unless requested) on Valentine's Day. Do some research and find something different and special. Those who live in bigger cities absolutely have no excuse for not doing this.  And if you have the time, then maybe a trip should be on the menu to get away from it all.

Your main job is to make the evening unlike any recent evening you've spent with her.  She's already yours, so just show her how much you appreciate it.  The best thing to do is go back to the basics (although you should already be doing them).

Open doors, put your hand in the small of her back and guide her through the door you've opened, pull out her chair, give her your jacket if it's cold, allow her to order first, compliment her appearance, look into her eyes when she speaks (or when she doesn't), leave room for dessert, pay for the meal, find somewhere romantic to park (if it's not too late) like a riverfront or an open area (if the stars are out).

Your Valentine's date with your long term significant other should seem like a perfect first date.

Again, I'm not an expert in the matter, but I do know how to make a woman feel like a woman.  Good luck, fellas!  Ladies, if your man needs a little push in the right direction, then accidentally leave this blog post on your laptop where he can see it! :)

Your date should look like this the entire time or you're not doing something right.

I Need Vegas Advice

Should I try The Palms?

I've been contemplating a trip.  I thought about visiting one of my homies in Pensacola to catch a football game with him at his favorite sports bar.  I considered visiting my brother in Dallas and maybe catching a game out there.  But, maybe I should get away to a place where no one knows me.  Maybe I should finally give Vegas a shot.

I've always thought about going there due to the many entertainment options.  The biggest dilemma for me is what should I do while I'm there?  There are tons of hotels, bars, nightspots and shows.  So, how am I going to know which spots are worth my time?

The first thing that I'm going to do is contact my Twitter friend, Cherie.  I know that Ms. @Redhead_702 will do what she can to recommend all of the premier entertainment options for Vegas.  I follow her Twitter timeline like a hawk and she always seem to find the best eating spots and parties in the Vegas area.  I also think that @Ida_homie has been there a few times as well, so I'd love to hear his input.

Now, I'm not really the partying type (any more), but I would be open to going some where and watching people enjoy themselves on the dance floor.  I'm just not going to get out there myself and pull a hamstring.  There's no fun flying home from a vacation with an injury, you know?  LOL!

I just want to get away for a while and add another city to my "Been There, Done That" list.  I got a taste of western living while in San Diego last month and I think I want to experience more of it.  Portland, Seattle, L.A. and San Francisco will be other places that I'll consider going forward, but now, Vegas is on my radar.  Since it is so far away, I really want to make sure that I maximize my time while there.  I definitely don't want to go that far and not have a comfortable stay as well as some stories to share.  And when I say "stories to share," I don't mean talking about a trip to the Bunny Ranch.  LOL!  I'm not a pay-to-play type of guy.

"So, for $5,000, I can have both of you and a monkey?"

I'm hoping for an opportunity to go there this time next year. I usually take two trips a year and although I'm traveling alone now, I hope to continue that tradition. I came across a site that lists a few reasonable and inexpensive lodging options in Vegas, so I guess that's a start towards that dream. I'll do my research and await advice from some of my readers on the "where and what."

 Do you have Vegas recommendations for things to do/places to stay?