You have to make your intentions known to the girl quickly because once you’re in the “friend zone” it is very hard to get out. The key is to be direct about your intentions. If you behave like a good friend for months then the girl won’t want to risk losing your friendship, whereas if you ask them out the first or second time you meet them then they will mentally categorize you as a potential boyfriend. It is possible that you may be being too much of a gentleman but that doesn’t mean that you have to be aggressive. After meeting with a girl you would like to date, when the conversation is winding down, just let them know that you’re interested and would like to take her out sometime. Get a phone number and make sure you arrange a date and time right there. An agreed date and time is much harder to cancel than a loose arrangement.

Doug Slater.