5 Tips for Getting Noticed by Women

The world of boy-meets-girl can be a real jungle, and in this jungle you -- the guy -- are trying not to blend into your surroundings. You want to be eaten by a predator, darn it -- as long as it is the high-heel-wearing kind. However, you don't want to stand out in a bad, icky, Napoleon Dynamite sort of way. You may have seen your well-meaning friends act like total turn-off jerks in an attempt to get a woman's attention. They mean well, but they don't come across well. If you put some thought into it, however, you can avoid the jerk trap and let your true, charming self shine through.

Believe it or not, it's easier than you think. You don't have to jump through hoops to get a woman's attention. In fact, she'll like you better if you don't.

1. Dress to impress. Sadly, the single most overlooked weapon that should be in every guy's girl-meeting arsenal is a good wardrobe. That doesn't mean you need to go out and spend crazy cash on a James Bond wardrobe. On the contrary. It's a sad state of affairs, but all you need to do in today's scene is wear clothes that fit and that don't have holes in them. Refrain from proudly displaying your new underwear by wearing your pants around your thighs. Wear real shoes, not flip-flops or other things that show your toes. Remember to shave and comb your hair, and you will put yourself a quantum leap ahead of the competition.

2. Act confident, not cocky. Walk with your head up, but don't strut. For one thing, this isn't a coolness contest. You don't want to signal to her that you're far more interested in yourself than in her. For another, strutting is simply not sexy.

3. Make eye contact, but don't stare. If you see a cute girl, say, in a bookstore, cast brief glances until she decides to signal she has noticed you. Believe me, if you've taken the time to groom yourself and are standing nearby, she has probably noticed you. When you see her look at you, make brief eye contact. Look at her long enough to signal your interest, which is only a couple of seconds after she looks at you. Then look away for a few seconds so she won't assume you're a mad stalker. After a few seconds, look at her again. If she is checking you out, then hold her gaze a little longer this time. If she smiles it is a good sign that she wants you to approach.

4. Give her a friendly smile. You would be surprised how many guys leave out this step. Just smile. That's all you have to do. It signals that you are pleased to see her and that you come in peace. You are not an enemy warrior who plans to toss her over her shoulder and cart her back to camp as a prize (although that can be a fun game once she gets to know you). You just want to have coffee and talk. (Hint: Girls love to talk. And if you love to talk, girls will love you too.)

5. Use good grammar. It's okay. Don't panic. It isn't as difficult as it sounds. And for goodness' sake, don't go out and try to memorize a grammar book. You'll just sound artificial. But do stay away from extreme slang and all profanity. Try to correct any persistent "ain't" or double-negative habits. A little improvement goes a long way. The main thing is, if you know one of your speaking habits qualifies as bad grammar, fix it. There's nothing cool or sexy about sounding uneducated.

That's all there is to it. These are the basics of getting noticed by the opposite sex: Look good, speak well and act friendly, not creepy. You will be amazing at how far such simple tips can take you when it comes to meeting women. It's easy, once you begin to put a little thought into it.