I sometimes read these field reports and tips, and shake my head. I just feel as though there are some basic things that guys don't seem to understand about women when they're first interested. Do you mind if I help you out a little? I don't know if this will be helpful, but here goes anyway.

1) Coffee is almost always a good bet for a first date. It gives you an escape route for getting out of there quickly if you don't like each other, and gives you enough time to figure out if you do.

2) The first date is your cue to plan out your second date if you realize you're interested in her. Ask her questions, find out what she likes, what she does in her spare time, etc. For example, if she mentions she likes art, take her to a gallery. If she mentions she likes rock climbing in her spare time, take out out to a climbing gym. Using the notes section of an iphone or some other method to make little notes is useful for that kind of thing.

3) Graphic tees are NOT ideal for attracting women (for the most part)

4) Smell is important. Don't shower in axe, but a little whiff of a good cologne makes a big difference. For that matter, keep breath mints on you too. No one likes bad breath.

5) Groom. These are basic things. Cut your hair, shave, and if you have long nose hairs/eyebrow hairs TRIM THEM! You may not think this matters much, but women pay attention to detail and we notice.

6) Your first compliment to a woman should not be about her body. It makes it blatantly obvious that you're just trying to get in our pants. Even if that's your intention, compliments that are overtly sexual or about something physical in nature are a sure way to drive a lot of us away. We're women. We know that we can get sex any time we want, so what can you offer us that some other random guy can't?

7) You may think that staring into our eyes is super romantic, but after about the first 10 seconds it just gets creepy.

8) Be chivalrous, hold open the door, say thank you and always be polite to servers/customer service people.

9) This is a conversation that my girlfriends and I have all the time. Ask us if you can kiss us first. Don't just awkwardly lean in for the first kiss. There are always exceptions. If the moment's right and it's natural then do it. But it's always appreciated if you say something like "I'd like to give you a kiss goodnight if that's okay."

10) Ask us questions. People love to talk about themselves, and if it shows that you're interested in us for substance instead of how we look, we're a lot more receptive.

11) Smile. We want to know that you're happy hanging around with us.

12) When you drop us off, don't just sit in your car and wait for us to get out. Walk us to the door.

13) Cheesy pickup lines seldom work. If you're trying to pick up at a club, I've usually found the most effective way is when a guy has approached me when I'm with a girlfriend and said something like "you girls look great tonight, what's bringing you out?" If we're with our friends, you shouldn't just acknowledge one of us. Talk to both of us, and switch back and forth, then decide which one you want to talk to more. It creates a natural competition between girls of who's hotter, and it will be more likely that you'll pique our interest.

14) Clubs are shitty places to talk. If you've been dancing all night with some girl, ask her if she wants to go outside with you and cool off with some fresh air, and then you can make way for conversation.

Anyway, I don't know if you've seen it all before, but I feel like this has the potential to be helpful if this is some stuff you didn't already know.

EDIT: I'm not coming at this from a straight woman's perspective. I'm coming at this from someone who's bi and often pursues women here. I bring home girls who say they're straight as well. I'm talking from experience, not just as the person who's being taken on a date.