KEY POINTS:
Maintenance levels aside, I have yet to meet a woman who doesn't love to be wowed.
It doesn't have to be an expensive, grand gesture. Just something a little different.
There is something immensely appealing about knowing someone has put some thought and effort into a date.
It makes you feel special, like you're not 'just another girl'.
A friend in London was recently wowed when a guy took her on an afternoon picnic.
He picked her up and took her to a hillside park with panoramic views of the city, where he unpacked a gorgeous picnic, complete with bubbles and antipasto.
Some might scoff and dismiss this as a cliche. But at least he did something.
He went to the effort of finding a picnic hamper and blanket (most men I know don't happen to have them lying around and usually have to visit their Mums to pinch one).
He then went to the supermarket and chose some nibbles and bought the bubbles.
He thought about where to take her and had an actual plan.
And she, in turn, was wowed.
Sometimes I think people are so quick to write ideas off as formulaic and cliched, they end up doing nothing at all.
An ex-boyfriend used to refuse to buy me flowers, saying it was cheesy and cliched. But just once, I would really have loved a surprise bouquet.
The reason I raise all this, is following their picnic, my friend was unsure of what to do next.
Should she try and wow the guy in return? And if so, what would impress him?
I am ashamed to admit, I have never really considered this before.
It's all well and good for women to want to be romanced, but what about the fellas?
Do men expect wow factor? Does wooing need to go both ways?
I should also point out, I am really only referring to the initial dating stage, before you enter into a relationship.
One would hope if you're actually going out with someone, you both do thoughtful things for one another on a regular basis.
Men - what are your thoughts? Do you want to be wowed and how should one go about it?