How to: Ask a girl out

You've reached that crucial point in your relationship where 'hanging out' needs to end and the 'dating' needs to begin. Believe me, we sympathize. All the men I know have been there, and all the women I know (including myself) are tired of waiting for you to get it right. So here you have it, from a woman to all you neanderthal men out there, our essential tips for asking a woman out... straight from the horse's mouth.

I'm going to go as far as vouch for a 98 percent success rate, just as long as you closely follow these instructions. Read on, absorb and be on your way to finally snagging yourself that date of your dreams!

Forget Feminism

You know that rhetoric you're always hearing? The one which insists that all the smart, hot and young professional women you see these days are too independent not to scorn a man who dares to ask them out on a date. Or who dares to assume they can't ask themselves if they wanted? Well, forget that whole theory entirely.

Read my lips (or words!): All women want to be asked. No matter how forward thinking, feminist and independent they are, a few things will always be old-fashioned in the minds of women; and being asked out by a guy is one of them. So, give them what they want. Be a man, grow a pair and take matters into your own hands. All women love a man who takes control of his own destiny!

Indicate Interest

Don't let your proposal to take her on a date be a complete shock, capable of inducing panic attacks. The woman you're going to ask out should have at least a vague idea that you are interested. Be subtle and flirt; text and let her catch you looking at her before you quickly turn away a few times.

Depending on your relationship with her prior to asking her out, ways to indicate interest can definitely vary, so be creative. If she's already been your friend for a long time, chances are she's not sure if you have feelings for her, so start playing with her hair more, call more often and offer stronger signals. If she's a colleague, start taking more breaks with her and so on and so forth.

PS: This is also a vital time because you need to also begin gauging the girl's interest in you! Look for the common signs, and if they're not there, then prepare yourself for a rejection, but still go through with it. Why? Because you just never know what she's really thinking!

Strike While the Iron is Hot (And Be Direct)

Believe it or not, attraction has an expiration date. And women don't wait around forever either. So, if everything is going well, and the signals are flying back and forth for everyone to see, then don't drag the process out; ask her out immediately! Most men make a mistake here due to their own second-guessing.

So instead of conjuring up a million and one reasons as to why that coy smile she gave you was not an invitation of interest, just accept the signs when you see them, and think positive. Then, like our title so aptly puts it, strike while the iron is hot! All in all, the time lapse between when you decide to ask her out, and actually do ask her out should be as little as possible for this to be a successful endeavor.

Terrific Timing

Here's another thing most people don't tell you, always, always, always ask a girl out when she's already happy, things are going well or things are simply on a high note. If you look at your own past experiences, or the experiences of others, most men get a serious case of nerves and go up to women at the oddest times. This includes, when she's in the middle of a conversation with someone else or just in an absolutely awkward situation.

It's time identify the most positive moments to ask her out instead. Look for signs like these:

-A conversation between the two of you that's going exceptionally well.

-She's looking right at you as though she can't get enough. This one is a dead giveaway!

-She's as incredibly shy and nervous as you, but still smiling.

-She's laughing at everything you say.

-She's pensive and alone, but still inviting when you go up to her.

Perfect Planning

It's time! Plan what you're going to say before you go for it and ask her out. But whatever you do, don't make it a big deal. And by no means should you let her know you got all your smooth moves from reading a post like this! Just be simple, direct and confident. Smile a lot, and make sure you're not sweating profusely or asking her out right after eating a whole bunch of onions and garlic. These are just a few pointers I think you should be aware of before you go for the kill; but don't let it make you any more nervous than you secretly are!

Also, in case she says "Yes," make sure the date you plan is also perfect, because women talk and the word spreads. So, once you get that first Yes, more Yeses will follow.

And finally, think positive. Assuming she's never going to say "Yes" is not going to help your situation in any way. And quite frankly, the chances of your negative thoughts manifesting into this negative reality are more than likely. The same is true of the opposite though. So, make a note of this.

Until next time, good luck, happy asking out and even happier dating!

You may also like 'How to: Date First and Mate Later'