How to play hard to get

Yeah, it's manipulative. And old-fashioned. And kind of unseemly. But it works.

You Will Need

* A guy you like
* And a lot of self-control

Step 1: Don't make the move
Don’t make the first move. Though it will likely get you a date—with a whopping 90% success rate—it will be for the wrong reasons. Basically, he’ll think you’re easy—and treat you accordingly.

Step 2: Don't be too eager
When a man who interests you starts a conversation, be friendly—but don’t act too eager. Eagerness can easily be misconstrued as desperation, which is never attractive.

Step 3: Don't call first
Never call him first unless you have an outstanding reason—like you’ve snared tickets to the Super Bowl and want to know if he’s free to go.

Step 4: Take your time
Don’t be too quick to return that first call—and don’t explain why it took you so long to get back. If he asks, be vague. Make him wonder what you’re up to.

Step 5: Don't accept every offer
Don’t accept every offer of a date. Ideally, you should be politely declining about half of his invitations because you’re genuinely busy. But even if you’re not, pretend that you are.

Step 6: Refrain from sex
Hold off sex for as long as you can stand it. Nothing torpedoes a romance faster than inhaling someone’s morning breath or having to stay awake listening to them snore before you really know and love—or at least like—them.

Step 7: Book the minister
Book the minister. He’s hooked!