HEY MIKE! I’m 14 and I want to ask out a certain girl. The problem is, I’ve never done this before and neither have my friends. What should I do?
—S.Y., Cleveland
Oh, man, the possibilities are endless:
Ask her out through a singing telegram. Unfortunately, this way tends to make shy guys sweat profusely and, in extreme cases, throw up. (Not good.)
Tell YOUR best friend to tell HER best friend to tell her that YOU want to go out sometime. But be warned: With this method, you risk seriously tangling the lines of communication — which means you could end up on a date with her mom’s best friend’s cousin’s pet hamster. (Again, not good.)
Pray, psych-up with a quick pep talk, take a deep breath, approach her (when she’s alone), smile and say something like, "Hey, my friends and I are going to the movies this Saturday — I was wondering if you’d like to join us. My treat." Actually, this is really the ONLY approach. Asking a girl out can be hard, but it’s really not as mysterious as some guys make it. Above all, be YOURSELF.
And as you talk to her, keep in mind that girls look for three main qualities in a guy: confidence, ease in talking and thoughtfulness. 
This article appeared in the June 2001 issue of Breakaway magazine. Copyright © 2001 Focus on the Family. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
