We asked the team what strange dating techniques they had encountered! (Names have been removed to protect identities and hence forth everlasting embarrassment!)

The Orange Wednesday Saga

So I went on a date with this guy I had met and he suggested we go to the cinema. Looking forward to a night of popcorn munching and film watching, I rolled up to the venue to meet my rather hansom date. As we got to the counter to pay –being a modern woman I was prepared to go dutch. As I went to remove purse from bag, a rather excitable screech of ‘WAIT!! Let’s get the orange Wednesday 2 for 1 code!!!’ arose from my date’s mouth. So I paid for my full price ticket…and he (the lucky man) watched the film absolutely free. A tenner and a text down…I have to say, it was the strangest dating technique I’ve ever encountered – and no… I didn’t see him again!

Steam Train Passion

I went to meet up for a drink with this really interesting guy I had met. To me, he was the epitome of coolness – he had loads of friends, played football, was confident – he was just one of those guys that oozed smoothness! As we chatted away to a few drinks, he decided to tell me about his great passion in life…steam trains. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m interested by other people’s interests…but he was overly passionate about this hobby…to the point one might call obsession. Not a technique I would use – quirky’s good – but not when it makes the other party feel slightly over uncomfortable…

Dinner Disaster

I took a girl out for dinner to a local Indian restaurant. The evening got off to a good start as we shared a bit of banter over a plate of poppadoms. The conversation and wine flowed and if I didn’t say so myself – it was pretty obvious she found me charming!Half way through the evening, out of nowhere, she put her cutlery down on her plate and sat there staring at it. Nothing offensive or out of the ordinary (to my knowledge) had happened to make her suddenly stop eating…she then asked me to take her home mid meal (not in a good way) and that was that!

Strange thing was she called me the next day to see when we could do it again…Odd, odd technique!

Go on…we’d love to know if you can top the above!

The Singles 365 Team

Eclipse, the third of the series about Bella Swan (the ugly duckling) and her vampire boyfriend, filled the cinemas over the weekend with swooning, sighing and cheering women when it was previewed across the country. Thousands have read the books, millions love the movies and there are now more fans than ever fascinated with Edward Cullen. Why we hear you cry!

Edward…the most beautiful, chivalrous, un-attainable guy who’s also a little bit dangerous (he’s a vampire remember) is Bella’s protector (…he’s one of the good ones) and makes her feel like she’s the single most important being in the whole universe. Ah swoon…

Here are a few tips for the guys to increase your Cullenisity while on a date…

Be chivalrous

Open doors for your date (including car doors), take her jacket and pull out her chair for her. This shows respect for her and will earn you major brownie points.

Be modest

Do not exaggerate and speak modestly of your achievements. Women generally like confidence but not arrogance.

Be romantic

Surprise her with a small gift or flowers. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just thoughtful.

Listen to her

Look her in the eyes when she speaks to you and really listen to what she is saying.

Dress nicely

Show your date that you have made an effort for her. Think understated with a touch of class.

Only have eyes for her

If you make your woman feel like she is the only one in the room you are definitely on your way to being Cullenesque…and that can only be a very good thing.

Take this quiz to find out how similar to Edward you actually are.

Neutral Tones

Neutral colours are very much in for 2010. Think khaki, camel, and beige, but these colours don’t suit all skin colours so you could go for light grey instead.

Frills & Spills

To add a bit of extra interest to your outfit, go for frills, ruches & knotting, feathered skirts and dresses. Pair these with a neutral top for a balanced look.

Tear It Up

Ripped and torn denim is making a comeback, so it’s time to either ruin a perfectly good new pair of Levi’s or raid the attic for that genuine vintage look.

Suited & Booted

Invest in a good quality lightweight suit for when formal occasions come along. The only serious choice to stay cool, fashionable and smart all at the same time.

Get Ripped

Ripped and patched denim is making a comeback, so it’s time to either ruin a perfectly good new pair of Levi’s or raid the attic for that genuine vintage look.

Button It!

Try pairing a button down collar with jeans or wear it under a blazer. Great for that “made an effort” smart-casual look without appearing too formal.

Go for a Picnic

For an intimate (and cheap) time, just pack up a bottle of wine and some sandwiches and head to the park. You can find as secluded a spot as you like, giving you plenty of time to chat with no interruptions. Just make sure you don’t set yourselves down in the middle of a Sunday league game of football!

Life’s a Beach!

OK, so it may not be warm enough to swim or sunbath just yet, but right now you’ll find seaside resorts a lot less crowded than in the middle of summer which leaves more space for sunny strolls on the beach, fish & chips on the promenade and losing a few pounds in the amusement arcades!

Plain Sailing

No, not a fortnight cruising the Med (that’s more of a summer date!). Just find your closest river or lake and hire a rowing boat or pedalo for a few hours to get away from the crowds. Avoid a canoe though (unless you’re particularly fond of the back of your date’s head!).

Full of Hot Air?

With nature blooming and the countryside coming to life, there’s no better time to take to the skies for an aerial view of your area. There are numerous companies offering trips ranging from a couple of hours to day-long excursions with prices to fit every pocket.

It’s also a time for change here at Singles365.com which means that there’s no better time to re-assess who you’re looking for and spring clean your profile.

Have a look at our simple ideas on how to easily freshen up your profile and we’re sure you’ll start to see even more messages come flooding in.

Upload a new photo

It’s always good to keep your main profile photo up to date so now’s the time to relegate that snap from your Christmas party and say hello with a bright-and-breezy springtime pic. If you’ve not got anything lying around then grab your camera and take a new one of you enjoying the sunshine.

Re-write your description

Even if it’s only a couple of weeks old, it’s worth starting your profile from scratch once in a while to give it a fresh feel and weed out any of those things you’ve said that might not be so important any more. Writing about yourself can also help you work out just what you’re looking for.

Update your profile regularly

People will often check your profile a few times before they get in touch so if you’re constantly updating your profile with interesting things about your life, they’ll not only realise that you use the site regularly, they’ll also know what a fascinating person you are too!

Body language expert Judi James

Body language and behaviour expert Judi James explains what their sense of humour reveals about your date.

Judi James is one of the UK’s leading body language and behaviour experts who you’ll recognise from Big Brother, Channel 5’s Naked Celebrity and Strictly Come Dancing’s It Takes Two.

“Research shows that 83% of people say that humour impresses them on a first date,” Judi says.  “In today’s society humour is seen as proof that a person is ‘normal’ or even trustworthy – but psychologically jokes are a rich form of communication where elements of pseudo attack, aggression and suppressed warrior tendencies often surface.”

Here’s what their joking style says about them.

The Sarcastic Joker
They’re all about power and control – they’re put downs aren’t a full frontal assault but can be every bit as deadly.  Sarcastic jokers like to think of themselves as superior to others because the ambiguous nature of their comments causes confusion among their victims.   They are not known for being empathetic or trustworthy as they sacrificed the values of trust and empathy on the altar of comedy many years ago.

The Shaggy Dog Joker
The long winded joker enjoys telling jokes that take up to an hour to relate.  Everyone knows that no one likes these jokes and part of the humour lies in the groans and glassy eyed stares that accompany them.  These people are the ultimate performer because these jokes involve timing, persistence, a complete lack of self-consciousness and an ability to over react.  In many ways the comic enjoys the insults and rejection as much as ultimate acceptance.  They were probably hugely unpopular at school and seek to recreate this social pattern throughout their lives.

The Sick Humourist
Sick humour relies on the ‘forbidden’ factor, taking a swipe at subjects that would usually create a response of pity or horror. Tragic events often attract jokes of this nature and should be seen as a coping mechanism.  People who work in jobs that involve regular exposure to tragedy or horror like the emergency services will often employ sick humour to prevent themselves becoming too emotionally involved.  The sick humoruist who doesn’t work in this field likes to shock and challenge other people’s perceptions of him or herself.

The Self-Depreciating Humourist
When someone aims the gags at themselves they are employing a very basic technique of ingratiation.  In some cases they are saying what others are thinking before they get a chance to say it themselves.  In other cases it is the opposite – people with high levels of confidence often feel comfortable using the odd self-deprecating comment because they know it will sound ironic.

Clowns
These are the Mr Beans of the comedy world and these people are likely to be the nicest and most generous characters because they use a lack of vanity to amuse.

The One-Liner
Brief funny comments used with perfect timing will often be used by someone hoping to lighten mood.  This person has a strong defence mechanism but can also be charming and charismatic because their delivery and timing will display confidence and good self-esteem.  The jokes keep them at arm’s length from the rest of the pack by creating a sense of original thinking, yet these people will also have a pack-acceptance because their wit makes them respected.

The Double-Entendre Merchant
These people rarely use a strategy or performance for their jokes, instead preferring a seaside postcard sense of humour.  Unsophisticated and juvenile, this person lacks cunning, wit or intellect, although like all kids, being naughty can have the capacity to charm.

The Practical Joker
They are the true hunter-killer of the comedy pack with jokes usually aimed at ridiculing the victim. These people select and stalk their prey, plan the joke, organises props and waits to execute it.  They are all about the anticipation – watching the victim go about their normal business, unaware they are about to be the butt of a practical joke. They enjoy creating chaos from everyday actions which is a trait they will show through other aspects of their life.

You can learn more about body language and the hidden meaning behind all your choices in The You Code by Judi James and James Moore, available from all good bookshops priced £8.99 and the Random House website.

Brett, 32 from Hereford and Worcester

Brett, 32 from Hereford & Worcester

“I’m a single guy looking for romance and maybe settling down. I love keeping fit and trying to look after myself. I’m also a  proud father who loves spending time with his little lad.

I’m mad about MotoX and generally tend to keep myself busy most of the time. I love my job, love life at the mo in general, and I like eating out and going for long walks. It would be nice to have some one else to share it all with, if my princess comes along!”   Read more…

Claire, 34 from Hampshire

Claire, 34 from Hampshire

“Planet Claire is a happy and relaxed environment bathed in constant sunshine. The ruler of this planet seeks friendship and fun with other life forms.

Claire likes good food, champagne, sushi and Revels (but not the coffee ones – yuk!).   Claire does not like pointy shoes, dating men shorter than her, bad breath or people with hang-ups or psycho ex-girlfriends, wives or lovers.

If interested, please send probe to outer perimeter of the planet for initiation and first stage inspection.” Read more…

So login to Singles365.com to get in touch with Claire, Brett or any of our other members!