Pop quiz: “What’s the correct way to ask a woman out on a date?”

Now the average man has been approaching women since around age 12 (and some of us much earlier), but there still seems to be a lack of clear understanding on the proper way to ask a woman out. So instead of idly standing by as this disturbing pattern continues, I’ve decided to share 5 Essential Keys To Asking A Woman Out.

Disclaimer: Your chances of success improve dramatically under the following conditions.

a.) She’s available.

b.) She’s at least mildly interested in you.

c.) You’re presentable (fresh breath, washed faced, brushed hair, ironed clothes … should I continue?)

**If not, then let’s begin…

1. Get To The Point

There’s no bigger turnoff than a man who beats around the bush. If asking her out is your objective, then make that known up front. The more time you waste working up the nerve to ask her out, the more likely it becomes that she’ll say no. So keep it short, sweet, and to the point.

2. Don’t Pass The Buck.

Avoid passing the buck at all costs. A great example of this occurs when a guy says to the woman, “I have a pretty flexible schedule. Just hit me up and let me know when you want to get together.”

Wrong move.

In fact, you’d probably have a better chance convincing me that Jermaine Jackson’s hair is naturally silky, than you would at getting a woman to call you with such a bad approach. It’s your job to take the initiative when scheduling the date. So come equipped with the who, what, when, where and why.

3. Originality Is The Key.

Presenting a unique date idea is critical. The typical dinner and movie suggestions are cool, but do nothing to separate yourself from the rest of the pack. Honestly speaking, the average woman gets asked out by at least 3-4 men on any given day—from the UPS man, to her married coworker, to the guy that sells bootleg DVDs in the parking lot—so understand that she gets her fair share of offers. That’s why it’s important that you think outside of the box, and entice her with a creative date idea.

4. Relax

If you’re nervous when asking her out, she can tell. So practice keeping your cool. If she says yes, then your expression should suggest that you expected that outcome all along. Even if she says no, you should still remain composed.

My suggestion: Watch plenty of Barack Obama footage, since he’s the new spokesperson for all things cool.

5. Make Sure That She Knows It’s A Date.

There’s nothing worse than going out on a “I think it is, but I’m not sure” type of date. This occurs when the man doesn’t make it clear up front why they’re getting together. That makes things uncomfortable at the end of the night when she hi-fives him, and suggests they should become great buddies.

We can’t let that happen to you.

So make your intentions known up front to avoid banishment to the friend zone.

The Fly Conclusion:

For the Men: Now that I’ve given you the essential tips, it’s time to hear from you. What has worked for you in the past when asking a woman out? On the flip side, what were some of the things that failed worse than Beyonce’s attempts at dramatic acting? Let me know.

For the Women: I’d also like to hear from you. Our greatest asset as men attempting to grow in our understanding of the female species is our ability to get constructive feedback from you. With that understanding in mind, how do you like to be approached?