Whether the other person is interested or not, you'll never know unless you ask. So gather up all your courage and follow these steps.

Instructions

• STEP 1: Introduce yourself to that person you've been admiring from afar.
• STEP 2: Get the person's telephone number, or tell a common friend you would like the number.
• STEP 3: Call. Choose a time that is not intrusive. Call when you are comfortable doing so, regardless of what your friends might say about the right time to call.
• STEP 4: Reintroduce yourself once you're on the phone by saying something like, "Hey, it's Shirley. We met at the drag strip."
• STEP 5: Using as little pretense as possible (ideally none), ask the person if he or she would like to get together for a cup of coffee or do something similarly casual. If you are politely refused, take the hint and get off the phone.
• STEP 6: Meet casually for a brief time - half an hour or so. If that goes well, suggest a more formal date, such as lunch.
• STEP 7: Go on the more formal date.

Tips & Warnings

• Besides getting a cup of coffee, some of the best ideas for a date are the things you love to do the most, such as going to an art museum or getting muddy on a mountain bike ride. This gives the other person a chance to get to know more about your personality.
• Humor is often the best remedy for rejection. Congratulate yourself for trying and move on.
• Going to see a movie is not a very good idea for a date; it shows a lack of creativity and does not allow the two of you to spend much time talking.