No matter how confident you might feel around a member of the opposite sex, every man, from the 40 year old virgins to the most prolific man whores, can find the first the first date experience awkward and nerve wracking. To deal with these pre-date jitters RedHotPie has compiled a guide to stepping out in style. With over 54% of RedHotPie members finding appearance somewhat important, and a further 25% finding it important, this article is essential reading for all you player-players out there who want to make that first impression with your RedHotPie date count!

We have all heard our mums rattle on with statements like, “You only get one chance to make a good first impression,” add nauseum,  but there is a practical purpose behind such clichés.  It is human nature that we start forming assumptions of other individuals based solely on their outward appearance in the first instances of meeting someone for the first time. Sure you might be beautiful on the inside but people are always going to get to know you first by how you look and later on your personality. Instead of lamenting about the superficial state of the human condition lets consider how to make that slamming first impression that will stick in your dates mind until their dying day, provided they don’t have a disposition towards Alzheimer’s.

First, you need to know that there are three major categories you face being put into when making a first impression.

A: You walk into a room and everybody stops to take notice of you, if not get down on their knees to worship you as a messiah of style. Think Brad Pitt, Jamie Foxx, or Jude Law. They have the look but top it off with a sense of confidence and style for the complete package. You make an impact like a blast from a howitzer; you are the heavy artillery of first impressions. Girls want you and other men want to be you.

B: Average impression: If you were a movie star you would be Kevin Bacon. Not quite attractive put somehow manages to score the good roles. On a scale of 1 to 5 you would come in around 2, 3 if your having a good hair day. You might fall into this category if your date gives out a ‘can’t make up my mind about you’ vibe. They’re probably thinking, ‘he his not hot, but not bad either. Perhaps I need another drink.” If you don’t feel like you have made that strong a first impression, you’re still in there with a chance and if you persevere your personality and enduring qualities may win over in the end. But be careful not to go to the toilet or bar too early in the piece as you may fade away into the crowd and become a distant memory. If you were a movie star you would be Kevin Bacon. Not that attractive, but somehow manages to score the good roles.

C: You not only don’t make a strong impression, but you actively make a negative impression. Maybe it’s because she has a particular dislike of the cologne you are wearing or perhaps you bear an uncanny resemblance to a bad boyfriend that she is getting over. But for whatever reason, she shuts down communication and does not open up to you at all. If you were a movie star you would be Tom Cruise: sure you might think you are attractive but people find you a source of annoyance and avoid you on site, something no amount of Diane tics can remedy.

Now I want you to imagine the reaction you get when you walk into a room. What category do you fall into? If you feel you are a C, there is much work to be done here and I would advise contacting a stylist. If you are a B then there is no reason why you should sell yourself short of being a picture of style and sophistication like the members of the A camp. To get you on your way, RedHotPie has compiled a key list of things to consider when making that first impression last.

1. Ok, in these metro sexual times we have to reconsider the formula of how long a man should take to get ready for a hot date. Back in the day a guy would get ready in less than ten minutes and make a mad dash out the door whilst girls could take an hour or more preparing themselves. Now, I’m not saying we should spend that long getting our bling-bling on, but I think you will notice a major difference if you put just a little bit more effort into getting ready.
2. If you are concerned about a particular feature like dry skin, fuzzy hair or rank B.O, buy grooming products that specifically target these problems like moisturizer, hair gel and for the love of god get some deodorant! Daily showers will help in that area too.
3. Consider buying one suit that is essentially for all dating purposes, your pulling suit, only to be worn when you want to make a great first impression. You should have a particular outfit, be it a Versace suit if you like the formal look or some killer Cathcart threads if you like the more casual look, which you save for those special times. Consider putting the clothes in an air tight case like the Bat Suit.
4. Make sure you always have some breath fresheners on hand. Seriously, nothing turns a woman off more than bad breath. While she may want to get to know you, she probably doesn’t want to know what kind of sauce you had for lunch.
5. With the predominance of gyms around the city centres these days, there is no excuse for not working out at least once a week. So many other Play-ers out there are packing fully cut ‘guns’ these days, that you have to at least familiarise yourself with a few weights and the treadmill. And heed the words of wisdom of the Anchor Man Ron Burgundy: “The only way to bag a classy lady is to give her two tickets to the gun show.”
6. Confidence! Confidence! Confidence! I cannot emphasize this enough. Lack of confidence is like the kryptonite to the formation any possible relationship. This is the major difference of what separates category A from C. Walk into the room like you own the place.
7. Finally, the most important secret is not to talk about how much effort you put into grooming yourself or go into details of your body builder program. Girls could care less about the amino acid body gain formula you are eating or the products you are using on your hair. It should appear as if you pull it all off effortlessly.

Follow this to do list and you chanced to score with that luscious lady will improve.