Level Up Gents

A more affordable best friend to diamonds, I believe, are flowers. What girl doesn’t like getting flowers?  Well… maybe except for badly arranged ones or carnations from the 7 Eleven.  Women particularly love getting flowers sent to their office so all the other ladies in the office can be jealous and wish their boyfriend/husband would send them flowers too. Most floral delivery services are expensive, ugly, and come in a box that need to be self assembled.  A co-worker recently referred me to B. Brooks Fine Flowers when I wanted to send flowers to my mom in Sacramento.  They are a network of florists specializing in fresh, seasonal flowers arranged with exquisite artistry.  My mom got the beautiful arrangement below and I just gave them a description that she loved calla lilies and it was for her birthday.  I love them! Arrangements start at $50 with a $10 service fee.  Think about sending her flower just because.  Remind her you’re always on her mind and sometimes she deserves to get pretty flowers.

So may I remind you guys again that most chicks are cray cray.  That being said- if you ain’t interested in her and she’s starting to bug just tell it to her straight.  You not responding to her texts or calling her back is not going to get the message across.  In her crazy brain of hers she’s going to come up with all the excuses in the world of why you’re not calling her back.  Believe me I know, I’ve been there.  Just do her the courtesy of telling her your not interested or you  just want a FTF.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all you heart breakers out there.  I’m not really one for celebrating this day unless I’m getting showered with gifts….j/k.  I think everyday should be valentine’s day and not just the 14th of february where you buy red roses, box of heart shaped chocolates, and jewelry in the shape of a heart.  For those of you who aren’t celebrating with anyone in particular and need to be fed dinner because you never cook and will starve- avoid all the lovey doveies by going to an Asian restaurant for dinner.  And I don’t mean the fusion type, I mean the type that are full of Asians and you’d be the only non Asian (unless you are Asian).  That’s where you won’t find the crowds of couples looking deeply into each others eyes over candle light.  That’s what I’ll be doing tonight….mmmmm MSG!

Everyone hates being blunt and just telling the other person they are not interested.  So it turns into games, reading into messages, making assumptions, and going crazy.  I think men tend to go less crazy than women but that’s because most women are innately cray cray.  So if she’s not returning your calls, texts, emails then she’s not interested.  And if she does finally get back to you and not profusely apologizing or giving you an excuse then she’s not into you.  But don’t get butt hurt.  There are plenty of fish in the sea!

It’s Wednesday and if you haven’t already made your date plans for tomorrow or any Thursday I recommend making it a museum night. SFMOMA and NightLife at the California Academy of Science are both open late on Thursdays.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is open until 8:45pm on Thursdays.  Admission is $18.  In addition to their great permanent collections they have an amazing exhibit on the industrial designer Dieter Rams running until February 20th.  Don’t pretend to be all art intellectual on her- she may not be one either but pose your real opinions and you can have some real discourse around the art.  I tend to think a lot of modern art is controversial about what is considered to be real art. Then grab dinner downtown or in SoMA.  Something more casual I recommend Super Duper on Market. Or if you want something a little more upscale and intimate I recommend Zero Zero on Folsom.

Night Life at the California Academy of Science is where they open late to 21 and older they feature music, creatures and cocktails!  Who doesn’t love all of the above?  From 6pm-10pm, admission is $12.  There are great places to eat in the Inner Richmond or Sunset.  Burma SuperStar, Pomelo on Judah, or Park Chow are a few of my favorite spots.

Pick up lines usually do not work.  The only purpose of a pick up line should be to break the ice and initiate a conversation with a woman.  There are the good one liners and then there are they bad!  Anything that is overtly sexual, make you sound pathetic, or a creep- don’t say!  Here are an example of a few:

• “You make my software turn into hardware!”
• “Great legs!  What time do they open?”
• “Do you have a library card? Because I am checking you out.”
• “I’m not drunk, baby…I’m just intoxicated by you.”
• “Did you fart?  Because you just blew me away!”

There are ways to get away with a one liner or two if you know how to use them properly. The key is knowing how to transition from the pick up line into the right topic of conversation. Remember, the only purpose of a pick up line is to “break the ice” and make her smile. So, avoid using cheesy, sleazy of dirty pick up lines — but some cute pick up lines can be effective. You can’t take yourself too seriously when saying them.  After delivering one, follow up with “I know that TOTALLY sounded like a corny pick up line…but I want to talk to you for a minute and I couldn’t think of what else to say. My name’s …” I thought these were cute and didn’t want me to punch the guy who said them immediately after- but use pick up lines with caution!

• “Can you pull this heart-shaped arrow out of my back? A little kid with wings just shot me.”
• “Can you recommend a bank where I can make a deposit? Because I’m planning to save all my love for you.”
• “Can I take a picture of you, so I can show Santa what I want for Christmas?”

With the rise of the smartphone we have strengthened our connections to people around the world—and complicated our relationships with the humans sitting right in front of us.  I’ll admit I am an offender to smartphone etiquette.  But especially when on a date or spending time with your “special” one remember the focus should be on them, not your iPhone.

Forbes contributor Michael T. Mathews sums it up pretty succinctly  in a great info graphic below. He concentrates on social media and smartphone etiquette for the classic dinner date, including activities before, during and after the encounter for all you Gen Ys out there.

Inspired by my lovely brother.  I HATE it when he uses my bathroom and leaves the seat up.  Really???  If you are using a ladies bathroom you best be putting the seat back down.  Why would she ever need or want it left up.  Be courteous and remember this etiquette next time you take a leak at her place.