Halloween Tips For Single Guys

Halloween is a the perfect holiday to meet someone new. Being in disguise can break down some self-doubt and allow you to let loose. Men don’t normally have immense pressure to look sexy. The average Joe tends to lean into a funny costume or what I call “the mascot” costume where he is completely hidden. When you use your time wisely it can be a night to really maximize your social capacity. What are some tips for single men to stand out this season?….

Try on your costume before the night….

Make sure everything fits ok and is comfortable. Give yourself enough breathing time to replace something or scrap the idea for a better one.

Get noticed….

Costume choice matters. The worst move is only dipping your toe into a “costume.” I have seen men who wear a T-shirt that says, “this is my costume.” It might be a personal preference, but it gives me the ick when a guy half-way participates. This is one night to get creative and have some fun.

Have a game plan….

Bring in the wingmen for some assists. It’s best to get the crew together, maybe for a group costume if possible, and have a few hype men. Go barhopping and attend all the events to maximize meeting the most women.

Make sure your costume is practical….

Bathroom lines will be long, you need to be the backseat of an Uber, you need to be able to see, etc. It is best to show your face. Not saying a funny blow-up dinosaur costume isn’t funny. You will not connect with women when they cannot see your eyes and expressions.

It’s a numbers game….

Try not to get locked into one person. The mistake I see is when men laser focus on the first girl who speaks to them and holds her hostage for the night. Get into the flow of chatting, maybe getting contact info if the vibe feels right, and then keeping it moving. The reason is that this is a rare night when the homebodies are out and about. You will be meeting people you had no idea existed since they probably do not frequent the bars often.

Be safe….

I say this a lot, but it would be embarrassing to wind up in jail in a Halloween costume. Take Uber or walk to your destinations.

Pre-game….

Bonus points for being a host of the pre-game party. Only do this when you live close to downtown and it is on the way for people. This is also a great time to meet new women in a non- chaotic environment. For men who are not knowledgeable on how to host, this could be a learning opportunity. Just make sure to make the experience fun. You should provide drinks and a festive vibe. Put on a scary movie in the background, light candles, and have a goth playlist.

Have a budget…..

Anyone who gets a little too generous with buying people drinks should bring cash only. It will limit you to a certain dollar amount and you won’t get your credit card left or overspent. Also, when women know your tab is open, they can order drinks and you may get stuck with a higher bill than expected. When treating women to drinks, don’t get an expensive cocktail. In my city, we have half-shots that are inexpensive. If there are special cheap shots, then go with that. In general, offering a shot is better because it’s quick and easy while still appearing chivalrous.

“The walk of shame”….

Getting lucky can happen on Halloween. When you take a girl home, be kind and let her borrow or keep some clothing she can sleep in and go home in. Give her clothing you don’t care about losing, not expensive items. She wants to not be embarrassed the next morning and wants to not stand out when she makes her way home.

Bottom Line….

Singles on Halloween will be ready to mingle. Get noticed and do not hide yourself in a costume. Think practical in case you get lucky, and be safe so you don’t wind up with a mug shot of you dressed as a hot dog. Take charge and orchestrate your friends coming out and also host a pre-party to meet more women. Think in terms of getting numbers versus zeroing in on one girl. Have a budget and a plan overall, because in the witching hour things can get chaotic. Collect instagrams, not numbers. You will forget what the women look like and it’s good to have a visual reference. Finally, enjoy your night in a safe way and get into the spirit.

Planning The First Date: Tips For Guys

These are tips for men who haven’t figured out the sweet spot of planning a great first date. Some go all in and come in too hot, scaring her away, while others give zero effort and make the girl decline and lose interest. In your grandpa or dad’s day, they would take full control, pick her up, and show her a great time. With the casualness of the apps, it’s hard to strike a balance of effort and effortless attitude. How should a guy navigate planning a first date?……

Scout out the best locations…..

It’s great to observe the best bars or coffee shops with a relaxed atmosphere, meaning lighting, how loud is it, is it distracting? Women love a great cozy energy so she can get comfortable. Candlelight is your friend and a private booth is a must.

First date should be drinks, if this is a blind date or an app date….

There needs to be an exit strategy, so planning an elaborate dinner or trip to the movies will backfire. Unless you live in a major city where everything has a reservation, then don’t make a reservation. You also need to be flexible when something out of your control happens at the location and you need to leave (such as a random bachelorette party that shows up or the music is blasting.) 

Be confident in asking….

The wording is very important. It is better to speak in a confident way instead of a question. Say, “I would love to take you out, are you free Thursday evening?” There should be no confusion of knowing it’s a date or a friendly hang. 

Some don’ts…..

One of my pet peeves is when I end up planning my own date. I understand that he wants to get it right, but it comes off as lazy or insecure. Not to say there shouldn’t be a few options in your back pocket just in case. Also, give her peace of mind that you are treating her and making the experience worth going on. Not to say you should over-promise and not deliver, more so just giving a sense of ease and confidence. 

Have a time and place….

You have to communicate where the date will take place and what time. This sounds obvious, but some men seem to conveniently not give details in case they want to back out. Be concise and repeat the time and location, “Great, see you on Friday at 8pm; looking forward to it.”

Confirm by noon the next day….

This is crucial. When a man does not confirm, it leaves the woman thinking he changed his mind. It’s best to come off as looking forward to the date, plus women have to get ready and that takes time. This is another time to communicate in a confident way. Say, “Looking forward to tonight. Is 7pm still good?” Not, “Are we still on?” When you give options to cancel she will wonder if you want to cancel. This will cause insecurity and might make her change her mind and bail. 

Bottom Line….

When certain actions are not implemented, then a date can fall apart. You want to come off in the first impression as confident and excited to meet. The confirmation text will make or break the date. You have to confirm! In this day and age, plans get switched up at a drop of a hat. Do men purposely not communicate clearly to avoid a date? Yes. But if you don’t want to give off an impression that you want to bail, then give her clarity and something to look forward to.