Cleveland Singles Scene by It's Just Lunch

Feedback Friday

The date with Allyson went really well! We had fun, similar interests and we had lots in common and she was playful and flirty. She was also really funny, she’s well read and we have the same taste in movies. She’s also well traveled and we could bond over that. Thank you for the set up! –Charlie, 34

Charlie and I had a blast! The date went pretty well, he’s the best date I’ve had in awhile. We had a great conversation, he was hilarious and I just felt very comfortable with him. He’s so interesting. I can’t wait for our 2^nd date! –Allyson, 33

After their 4^th date together, Allyson and Charlie both put their membership on hold and have enjoyed the holiday season together. We look forward to hearing an update in 2012!

5 Dating Tips For Men

1. Smile: When your date arrives and you make eye contact with her, smile! It’s such a simple tip, but it’s an immediate way to create chemistry!
2. Say Something: Great conversation and wordplay leads to attraction. Be ready with things to talk about, even do your homework and find out what she’s interested in, but most importantly listen to what she has to say too.
3. Straighten Up: Your body language tells a lot about whether or not you’re interested in someone. Standoffish, slouchy behavior isn’t attractive. Leaning toward your partner and using eye contact, however, is attractive.
4. Get There 5 Minutes Before She Does: Unless it’s Carmageddon on the 405, there isn’t much of an excuse to be late these days. Use Google Maps and don’t be late. She’ll appreciate the fact that you arrived early.
5. Treat Her Well: This means holding doors, allowing her to sit first, etc. In fact, make it an everyday habit and you’ll see it pay dividends. Chivalry isn’t dead! Treat your date well, and you’re well on your way to landing a second date.

Kiss 2011 Goodbye...

How long is the perfect New Year's kiss? According to a survey of over 500 singles conducted by dating service It's Just Lunch, it depends on how long you've known your date. If you're kissing someone you just met at a party, a clear majority (61%) favors "7 seconds." But if you're at that party with someone you've been dating at least three months, the top answer is "long enough to need to get a room." That response, selected by 23% of singles, barely nosed out more conservative choices such as "12 seconds" which was selected by 19% of the singles taking the survey.

When it comes to celebrating at home, the response was much more unified: A 58% majority said their ideal smooch would be "Long enough to go way beyond kissing." "Despite what it says in the song from Casablanca, a kiss really isn't just a kiss," says Irene LaCota, spokesperson for It's Just Lunch. "For most people, a truly "perfect" kiss will lead to something more - especially on New Year's." The preferred kissing technique for a public kiss was close to a three way tie: A slight plurality (36%) chose kissing with an open mouth and tongue, a whisker above the percentage who picked "open mouth with no tongue" (34%). A "closed mouth" kiss was selected by 30%.

Despite a seeming preference for the libertine at the stroke of midnight, only 32% of singles said they'd kiss the same way as they do in private. A clear majority (62%) said that if their New Year's smooch was in a public place, they'd make it "shorter, subtler and more reserved."

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Copyright (C) 2011 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Relationship advice from "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

We found this article, How Classic Holiday Cartoons Can Help Your Love Life on Glamour.com's blog and loved what they had to share on dating and relationships based on our favorite holiday classics. Our favorite? A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965):

" Dancing dogs aside, there's a wealth of knowledge in this animated classic. Like many of us, Charlie Brown was searching for authenticity — he wanted to know the real meaning of Christmas. Similarly, whether you're just dating around, or looking for that special someone, authenticity is the key; look for people you really like, and that really like you. Don't waste your time trying to fit square pegs into round holes — be honest with yourself in your dating life, about what you want and who you are, and you'll be the happier for it."

Feedback Friday

The date went well. She’s very pretty, we lived in the same area growing up so that was fun to talk about. I liked her, she’s smart, educated, well-rounded and a good mom to her kids. I asked for her number and I’m planning on calling her tonight and ask her out for Friday. –Scott, 40

The date was awesome. He’s great, really funny and super smart. He’s cute too. I had a great time and we’re planning on getting together later this week.-Maggie, 32

Tips to avoid holiday stress in dating so you can skip straight to kissing under the mistletoe!

Don't give into the holiday blues

The holidays can make even the most confident woman and man feel lonely during the holidays and New Year's. It's important to keep busy, socialize and fully engage in the holiday season. A great way to meet people? Don't RSVP "no" to those holiday parties and take advantage of volunteer opportunities. You'll feel good about giving back and you never know, you may meet someone just as generous as you!

Eat, drink and be merry...but not too merry
You may think that drinking will ease those jitters and make everyone jollier but it often disables people's manners and can encourage us to do things that are embarrassing, inappropriate or offensive and that will ultimately lead to not make the best impression. Keep your drinks in check and don’t forget a glass of water.

It's ok to go solo

We promise, you won't be the only single person alone at a party. It's ok to go to a holiday person solo…you never know who you'll meet! Don't spend the whole night talking to the same small group of people and force yourself to mingle. Set a goal for yourself...you will talk to 3 new people tonight. Trust us, it works.

Take after Santa and take advantage of the seasonal color scheme

Wear red. Research shows men may be more attracted to women wearing red. Several articles published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that women wearing red were rated more sexually desirable than those wearing “cooler” hues like green or brown.

How To Handle: "Are you seeing anyone special?" at the holiday dinner table

The expectation is that, for most singles, the holidays can be a depressing time. There will be uncomfortable questions at the family dinner table ("Are you seeing anyone special? Why not?"), endless holiday parties full of happy couples...

But it doesn't have to be that way. It's all, really, a matter of perspective. Imagine this: a nosy relative asks you if you're seeing someone special and you reply, "Not yet, but I'm having fun looking for him/her."

What if you went to each and every holiday party (even the ones you'd rather not go to) excited to be there without a date? Parties can be a great way to meet new people and flex your flirting muscles. Chances are, you won't be the only single person there.

"After our date, we went to a movie!"

The date with Andrew went really well! He’s really calm and respectful, we had a great conversation. He was very much the gentleman and I’m attracted to him. After our date, we went to a movie! We are working on planning on our 2^nd right now too. Thank you! – Karen, 28

Karen was easy to talk too, I felt comfortable the entire time with her. She was attractive and the date went really well. We saw a movie after our date and we are getting together on Saturday.-Andrew, 30

Gift Giving When You've Been Dating Over Six Months

Yay! You're exclusive at this point. This is the time when you want your significant other to feel like the most special person in your life. Make your gifts personal, intimate and a true expression of your fabulous unity.

• Tickets to an upcoming event in town
• A piece of jewelry such as a nice watch, bracelet or pendant
• A spa package
• A weekend getaway together. Pay attention to websites like Groupon and Living Social, they often have deals for bed and breakfasts close to where you live. Or, spend the night in a nice hotel in your town and give yourself a little staycation!

Gift Giving If You're Dating Under Six Months

At this point you're heading toward exclusivity, but most likely haven't committed to anything final or met the family yet. This is a pivotal point in the relationship and it's best to celebrate holidays and special occasions with a personal gift and a romantic dinner.

• Cook him a romantic dinner for two-wine, candles, soft music, a sexy outfit. This will show not only that you care, but that you can cook, too! And what’s more romantic than a night in just you two?
• Romantic dinner for two at the newest restaurant in town, don’t forget to plan ahead and make reservations
• The newest toy or gadget (doesn't have to be expensive or over the top)
• A designer sweater for a guy or anything cashmere or pashmina for the gal
• Tickets to a concert, opera, sporting event, ballet, etc.

Steer clear of: Generic gifts, you want them to know you think their special!