This article is for anyone trying to get a date with a woman. As a woman myself, and working with 65% female clients of all ages, I have the insider information on what women want when it comes to dating … and what they don’t.

I’m going to break it down in simple terms. Do any of these things, and your chances of getting a date dwindle. Avoid them, and you’re on the right path.

1. Gym selfies

Why, oh why, do men post these? I have a few hypotheses. It’s obvious that they think we, as women, want to see that they are in shape. Sure — we do. But we want to see you clothed. If you’re in good shape, then we can tell … even if you’re wearing a sweater! (Sometimes, I honestly think men are posting these pictures for other men to see and be jealous. And sometimes I think they just want to show off.)

No women I know, friends or clients alike, will swipe right or contact someone *because* of a gym picture. If anything, they are liking you *despite* the picture.

Someone just said it best on my Instagram page: “I ‘swipe left’ on anyone with gym pics because, to me, it signals they need or want external validation, which I find problematic for many reasons, including cheating, being a follower, and having low self-esteem, none of which are qualities I want in a date, let alone a partner.”

So, feel free to show women what you like to do — hiking, biking, surfing — but don’t take a gym selfie in the mirror (and claim it’s a hobby of yours). No one wants to see that … except you.

Like the expression "Laws are like sausages. It's better not to see them being made," the same can be said for muscles. Just show the finished product … out of the gym.

2. Pet names

If you don’t know a woman yet, don’t call her “babe,” “baby,” “boo,” “beautiful,” “cutie,” “hun,” “honey,” or anything that sounds remotely similar. These are terms of endearment that should be saved for when you’re in a relationship, and only if your partner likes them. Before you know someone, those terms come off as patronizing and condescending.

3. Sexual talk

Any mention of sex or anything physical (from cuddling to a love language of physical touch) in your profile is a turn-off. Why? Because it looks like you have no discretion as to who you do these physical acts with. Most people enjoy intimacy in their relationships when the time is right, but to see it laid out in the profile is off-putting.

4. The phone number thrust

You’re having a great conversation and you want to take it to the next level — a phone call or text exchange. (For the record, I don’t recommend doing this. Just arrange the date on the site/app. Things usually get lost in the shuffle once you move to text, and the date doesn’t happen.)

You think, “I’ll just send her my number. No biggie.” She reads this as, “He’s lazy. Why can’t he reach out to me first?” or “Why can’t he be a gentleman and ask for my number? I don’t want to text him first!”

My recommendation? Arrange the date online, and then a day before, write this: “Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow! In case you need to reach me, my number is 917-555-2928. What’s yours?” This is so much better than, “My number is 917-555-2928. Text me.” No thank you.

5. The man with no plan

Funny—I thought we all used Google. Apparently some people don’t!

Women get very frustrated when someone says, “Why don’t you pick a place?” or “What did you have in mind?” There’s a lot of pressure there. Do you want to meet at a nice bar, a dive, a coffee shop, a restaurant, or something else? Especially if you’re going to pay (a whole other discussion), women don’t want to pick something above your price range.

If you don’t know the area, the best, and only, thing you should do would be to Google the area and give her a few choices. Then, you can add, “But if you have something else in mind, let me know.” Nine times out of 10, she’ll be so appreciative that you made the extra effort that even if your choices aren’t great, she’ll be very quick to overlook that because you tried.

6. The flake-out

This goes for everyone. Don’t cancel at the last minute, don’t stand someone up (awful!), and don’t otherwise be flaky in any way.

I get it. People have done it to you. But, don’t perpetuate this non-committal culture. Remember that there’s a person at the other end, not just a bot or an iPhone screen. An actual person who made actual time to see you.

Stop doing these things, and your odds of getting dates will increase. That’s math. Use it to your advantage.

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