OK so you get the lucky girl to agree to a date, but the next issue to tackle is where this date will take place.

The last place to which you want to invite her is a stuffy or posh restaurant. Imagine sitting opposite her with 10 different table items in your way, candles, flowers, glasses bottles etc. and of course an over-attentive waiter butting in every 10 seconds asking if you want your glass refilled.

If you want to take her on a night-time date, then the best venues to choose are the busy noisy places. A lot of guys think that this will cause a problem, making it hard to hear each other. But I say use this as your advantage!

Instead of sitting opposite each other as you would in a formal restaurant, you can instead use the crowding and high volume as a great excuse to sit side by side, which is far more intimate and close. The venue's high-energy vibe will keep those awkward or uncomfortable silences to a minimum.

If you decide to take her on a date during the day, try meeting up around noon, take her for a coffee and then suggest going for a walk (pick a nice area). By the time you have walked and chatted and gotten to know each other, you'll both likely feel hungry which will lead to a spontaneous lunch smoothly.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Girls LOVE spontaneity.]

It is also a good idea to go somewhere that you are familiar with, a place where you might bump into people you know. This will give the impression that you're cool, popular and in demand women tend to be watchful of this, and always find it an attractive quality.

If you don't know of any particularly cool places to go to, try picking a venue that has a particular theme. This can be used as a focal point in the early stages of the conversation (which usually is the most difficult part) but whatever the venue, make sure it's not quiet or too formal....

...or too expensive! Never take a girl to an over-priced restaurant even if you have the money! This is a good way to suss out the gold diggers or the girls looking to find a guy just to take her out to nice places. (There are loads of girls like this.)

[EDITOR'S NOTE: And for the gals who aren't out for a fat wallet, being taken out to an expensive meal on the first date might leave an awkward impression that there might be expectations later regardless of whether or not you feel that way. Keeping a nice balance will make both parties more comfortable, which in turn will lead to a more successful first date.]

Picking a reasonably priced venue for a first date also will prevent you from feeling you've burnt a hole in your wallet!

Splitting the check is more common nowadays, sure, but on a first date most women still equate being taken out with good manners and chivalry and some women find splitting the check on the first day/night out to be rude and unattractive.