Flirting Safari in London

Saturday was a fun day... eleven people came on two of my Flirting Safaris around Covent garden. Four girls and seven guys.

We met over coffee and I explained the best ways to approach strangers. We then hit the shops to hunt for single people to chat up. First we went to Stanfords, the map shop, and then went on to Waterstones.

After about 20 minutes chatting to people in Waterstones we moved on to Clinton Cards and HMV. Finally we hit the market area and finished with a drink and review in a local pub.

You can find out more about the Flirting Safari at www.flirtingsafari.com

Tips for Speed Dating

Ran a good workshop last night - "How to Increase your Speed Dating Matches". Twenty four people attended, we had great fun and they practiced a lot of good stuff. One of the things we talked about was the Seven Dating Sins. Here they are:

Appearing nervous and unnatural – it’s important to look confident and hold your head up high (put an angel on your shoulder).

Being self-centred and talking me, me, me. Try and use lots of open and indirect questions so you appear interested in the other person and what they like and dislike.

Appearing to interrogate the other person by asking closed questions, personal questions and questions that are hard to answer.

Showing Boredom – looking around the room, playing with a beer mat, scribbling notes in front of the other person.

Not being interested in the other person. Try and use your body language to build rapport. Make sure you come across as enthusiastic and passionate. Genuine passion will always be clearly communicated and, most importantly, remembered.

Expecting too much. Being intense, talking too fast and moving too fast. Take it easy - build rapport, appear interesting and funny.

Unpacking emotional baggage and talking about your past relationships.

For more dating and flirting tips go to www.thedatingdoctor.co.uk

What to Say Before Hello

When you have a chance encounter with someone, most people don't know how to start a conversation. In fact you just need to look at the other person and the situtaion you are both in, and then use one of six ways to start a conversation.

American way, just say hi…
• "hi, how are you today?"

Comment about the situation you are both in…
• "I think the train's going to be late again."

Ask their advice…
• "have you seen a book on...?"

Mention what they’re wearing…
• "I love your shoes/necklace/T shirt, where did you get it?"

Observe what they’re doing…
• "gosh that food looks good, what have you got?"

Match what they’re feeling…
• "phew, it’s been a long day already."

The best approach is one that makes the other person smile or laugh. So try and come out with something sparky, witty or unusual. But don't spend too much time thinking about what to say as you'll lose your confidence and the moment will have passed you by.

To get more hints and tips on how to approach and talk to strangers check out www.flirtingsafari.com

Tips for Chating Up Strangers

These are some of the tips that I talk about on the Flirting Safari.

Hunt Where They Browse

• check out the situation.
• wait for them to stop, then speak.

Talk to Anyone Within Three Feet

• notice their body language.
• make eye contact and smile.
• get your eyes on same level, then speak.

Speak

• ask a question.
• make a statement or give an opinion.
• combine into a statement-question.

I'll give you some ideas of what to say next time.

Flirting Safari in Birmingham

Fantastic fun on Saturday. Six men discovered the secrets of chatting up strangers around the Bull Ring in Birmingham.

Organised for Spice (http://www.spicebham.com/) the Safari was sold out within a week and was featured on Heart FM and the Birmingham press.



The Flirting Safari is a great opportunity for men and women to gain confidence and practice their chat up skills. To find out more about a Flirting Safari in Birmingham and Manchester, click here.

Speed Dating Result

Well Thelma said she had "a fun night" speed dating last week... "better than expected".

I even think that she got a match with Tony from Newark.

A good result, and a fun evening.


Thelma in the studio at BBC Radio Nottingham

Speed Dating Tips on Radio Nottingham

Thelma, who is going speed dating on Thursday evening, is to get tips and advice on the radio. Peter Spalton, the Dating Doctor, will coach her live on-air on Thursday morning.

Tune in to BBC Radio Nottingham at 95.5 or 103.8 FM on Thursday 18 August at around 11am to hear his advice and her response. Or listen on the internet via http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/radionottingham/

Signs of Attraction

When we fancy someone our body sends out signals that tell the other person we’re interested in them. You read them subconsciously and get that warm feeling...

Read the full article on The Signs of Sexual Attraction.

Flirting & Dating Workshop

A great evening - 32 singletons attended the Dating Doctor's Flirting and Dating workshop for Friends First in Birmingham. Two had travelled from Newcastle on Tyne, one from Taunton and another from Norwich.

Comments like...

"...great workshop, well put together and beautifully executed."

"...an excellent evening, didn't want it to finish."

Dating Tips in Wolverhampton

Last week I did a half hour radio interview on One City FM, a community radio in Wolverhampton. Two bubbly presenters (Nix & Mazz) and lots of interesting questions on flirting and dating.

One of the most interesting questions from Nix was "Why do most guys find it hard to chat up a gorgeous girl?" The answer is to do with confidence and the fear of rejection. You need the attitude that a No is just one nearer a Yes!

Londoner Grabs 90-odd Potential Dates

Singleton Jeremy, who had a stall selling himself in north London last weekend, collected lots of phone numbers and one date. Check it out on the BBC News website - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4628293.stm

See the original article and my comments at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4118232.stm


And if you want to practice your chattup skills, join my flirting safari. Go to http://www.spalton.co.uk/event.htm

Desperate to Find a Date

This weekend Jeremy Butler is setting up a stall in north London (England) to hand out fliers advertising the "vacant position of his girlfriend".

Read Jeremy's story and my comments as "the Dating Doctor" on the BBC News website.

But if you want to practice meeting flirting for real, check out my flirting safari.

Tips for Chatting to Men

We like people that are like ourselves. It’s known as rapport, a mutual feeling of understanding and trust. And the way you communicate is the key to building rapport with someone of the other sex.

The fact is that men and women communicate in different ways. So, for a woman to connect well with a man, she should:

• speak slower. Men speak in a slow and deliberate way. So try and match his speed, pace and pitch.
• talk facts not feelings. Present facts as the basis of a discussion or argument, not your feelings, emotions or feminine intuition.
• make direct statements and try not to be apologetic. Say things like “we need to...” rather than “I was hoping that we can...”
• talk about the things he’s interested in, not just what you and your girl friends are in to. Men tend to talk about five things - sport, work, politics, cars (and roads), and gadgets. And themselves!
• mirror his posture without appearing to mimic him.
• be clear about what you want and go for it.

Sign-up to the Dating Doctor's occasional newsletter with other flirting and dating hints & tips.

Flirting Safari - 16 July

Do you want to practice your chat-up skills?

A unique experience to develop and practice your chat-up skills. You will be with a small group who, under the guidance of the Dating Doctor, will practice how to approach and talk to complete strangers in Birmingham (England) city centre shops and bars.

Find out more & book a place.