"Romance versus Sex"
Some people say you shouldn't be too forward with women; that one or both of you should be "playing hard to get." In reality, it's a delicate balance. If you're playing too hard to get, she might think you're just not interested. If you're complimenting her right and left, she might think you're faking it.
The key is to strike the right tone – throw in a compliment every now and then, but don't make it so obvious that you're falling all over yourself. If you think she's attractive, smart, funny, etc., feel free to tell her. Just don't use every other sentence to mention that you love her eyes, her thighs, etc.
Romance and sex must co-exist – each builds to complement the other. In fact, in a perfect world, you should be so romantically interested in your partner that you both move seamlessly towards nights of more and more intimacy until sex seems like the most natural thing in the world.
Unfortunately, we don't always live in a perfect world, and sex can make matters more complicated than they otherwise would be.
We've all heard of the "walk of shame"? That's the journey a guy makes the morning after a one-night stand, wearing what he wore last night, hair all messed up and scraggly, as he goes from his ladyfriend's apartment back to his own. It usually happens right after a conversation that's full of awkwardness and people grabbing at their clothing.
This situation can be avoided entirely if both people involved wait until they genuinely want to have sex with each other instead of just caving in to make-out urges after tons of drinking. Beer goggles are not a myth. People do look more attractive when you're drunk.
So instead of getting sloshed on dates one and two, go slow enough that you're sure you like each other as humans. Build the romance first to make sure there are no regrets the next day.
Of course it is essential to practice safe sex. There is no worse transgression of good behavior than communicating a sexually transmitted disease.
