1) I think the spark can't be manufactured. She either thinks your handsome or she doesn't. Convo either flows well with a lot of shared humor, or it doesn't.

Of course be presentable and these types of things, but I truly think the first date is mostly out of your hands. Now if she is attracted to you, then good game can prevent you from screwing it up. But all the game in the world won't make a difference if she doesn't like the bone structure of your face.

2) Women and men are very similar. They both give A LOT of grace to someone they're physically attracted to. You can have a personality of a door knob, but both genders are down for a second date to give you a chance to come out of your shell so long as your face and body are pretty.