Take some lessons from our Stateside sisters and learn how to maximise your dating opportunities and bag the man of your dreams

Women in the US don't beat around the bush when it comes to dating. Single American women take a pro-active approach - something us Brits could do with a dose of. Online personality profiling site Dreams Discovered shows you how to date the American way

Take the plunge: there seems to be an unwritten rule in the UK that you can only ask for someone's number if you are in a bar or at a party. But do as the Americans do, if you like the look of someone in a shop, on the tube or at the dry cleaners, ask for their number and arrange a date, you never know where Mr Right might turn up. Remember, nothing ventured...

Date more than two men at a time: this goes with the saying 'don't put all your eggs in one basket'; if you are dating more than one man then you can then afford to be choosy and whittle them down until you work out which one you really like and want to be exclusive with. As long as you are clear with your dates that you want to keep things casual for a while, no harm done!

Say yes: say yes to every invite. Firstly this gets you out of the house, secondly even if you don't fancy the person straight off, he may sweep you off your feet after getting to know him and thirdly, you never know who his friends are - Mr Perfect might reside in Mr So-Sos clique.

But say no at the right time: girls in the US know what a powerful weapon sex is and know that if you really like someone then you are wise to hold back for as long as you can before jumping into bed with them. The thrill of the chase will drive him wild while you simply sit back and enjoy him pursuing you and treating you like a princess.

Go somewhere new: don't just go for supper, meet at a gallery or go and see a foreign film. New experiences make great ice breakers and will bond you for the rest of the evening.

Stop at 2: do NOT get drunk. Despite what you think this will only enhance your nervousness, making you chatter non-stop about nothing very interesting. Plus, with all those lowered inhibitions, you can guarantee a meeting with his flatmates the next morning, but never one with his mum.

Leave right now: do not overstay your welcome by hanging around until last orders, make sure you leave with plenty of time to spare (preferably before him) as this will make you seem mysterious and will have him gagging for more.

You can call: contrary to popular opinion, you don't HAVE to wait three days for him to call you. If, at the end of your date you leave in plenty of time, text or call saying that you had a lovely time, this shows that you even though you left, you are still interested. If this doesn't have him running around after you like a lost puppy, make sure you have at least another two waiting in the wings to practise on.

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