Always dress your best. You never know whom you might meet. Avoid wearing clothes that make you look like you’ve been attacked by a bear. Febreeze clothes that haven’t been washed for a while. You may be a slob, but now is not the time for them to know it.

Make an effort to stop and talk. Ask for a lighter or where something is (even if you don’t smoke or already know where the thing is). This will start off the conversation, but make it causal. Ask questions. Don’t get too personal though.

Look into that person’s eyes when speaking to them. It shows you’re genuinely interested in what they have to say and not imagining them naked (even if you are).

Acknowledge their friends. Introduce yourself and ask them some questions, too. Make a good impression, don’t be the jerk who ignores their friends. They might be a big influence on how he or she perceives you.

Compliment this person’s best features. Make it something out of the ordinary that they would be surprised you notice. For instance, hair (including facial) or jewelry. Don’t fall into a woman and say, “Nice rack.”

Find similar interests and ask the person to do something you both enjoy. Try to make it something they don’t do often and somewhere you can get to know that person a little better. Sometimes those little things are the most fun. Like going to lunch, coffee or taking a walk.

Finally, just be yourself. Unless the person you’re interested in obviously buys your whole ‘front’, you’re probably not going to score any dates.