Ten Great Ways to Tick Off Your Date

Valentine's Day is coming and romance is in the air. But be careful, Romeo: Committing one of these crimes of love is a surefire way to mess up a date for you and your sweetheart any day of the year.

Be late. If you say you'll pick her up at seven, be there at seven! No woman likes to wait around picking at the lint on her couch cushions while you primp and preen at home.

Give her bath products as a gift. Now not all pampering products are bad choices; in fact, there are some delectable options available from the likes of Bath and Body Works, The Body Shop, and other specialty stores that will tickle her senses. It's a bad idea, however, to pick up a 12-pack of Irish Spring and a bag of pink disposable razors at the local Quick Stop and expect her to appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Go to Burgerland for dinner. Unless you're both sixteen and broke, this one will certainly tick off your date. There's nothing wrong with fast food, but if you pick her up and she's decked out in Manolos and Marc Jacobs, chances are good she was expecting something a little more upscale. Do yourself a favor and save the burgers for a more casual night out. Fast food is not romantic. Repeat: Fast food is not romantic.

Forget her name. It doesn't matter if you've only been dating for two weeks. If you lean across the candlelit dinner table, caress her hand and then call her by the wrong name, it's going to kill the mood. Write her moniker on the inside of your wrist if you have to, but for goodness' sake, don't call your date Kim if her name is Sarah.

Answer your cell phone. Mom can leave a message. So can Charlie, Flo, Tom, or any of the guys. Kicking back and having a chat with a friend while your Valentine plays with melted candle wax is a great way to make her leave you behind. May as well delete her number as soon as you hang up since she certainly won't want to talk to you again.