The science of good sex

Aditi Diwan.

Women love confidence in a man, but find arrogance a complete turn-off. MH listened to thousands of women to help you strike the perfect balance... and pull back the sheet on sex.
That friend who told you to wait three days before you call is a cocky fool who'll die alone
Never let us doubt you're interested. Wait a couple of months before friending us on Facebook, but call, text, email and tweet us all you like-every time our phone pings, our stomachs do backflips. In a good way. "Connect with her emotionally and say you're thinking about picking her up from work, she might love you for this simple gesture. Just don't approach her directly for a second date," says RVM, author of Success sex, a self-help book on sex.
We like that you take care of your body
But when we can see your nipples, it's time to buy a bigger shirt. "Looking like a stuffed sausage is just gross. The biggest style faux paus is a guy wearing a translucent body-hugging t-shirt that shows his nipples," says fashion designer Nida Mahmood.

Turn down the volume
Conceited men have the biggest presence in the room; confident men know they'll be heard when they speak softly. The only person who should be able to hear you is your date.

If we compliment you, don't gush about yourself for the next 20 minutes
Just smile, say thank you, and compliment us. "If you have a great physique and I compliment you, I don't want to hear you say 'I am not in shape. My physique looked better earlier'. Humility is the key, so accept it and thank me," says actress and model Gul Panag.

Don't make a list of things to impress us with
If you do, you'll constantly be hunting for a chance to bring them up. If you choose a Nepalese restaurant just to casually announce you climbed Everest last summer, we'll see right through it.
Don't treat your online dating profile like a CV 
We want to know who you are, not just what you've done; so get specific. "If a particular Japanese restaurant serves good sushi, take me there. Don't use generic terms like 'great' and 'amazing'," says Panag. Tell us what makes you proud or who taught you to cook.
So you're blessed in the trouser department?
No tight jeans, please. "Unless you have muscular thighs and calves," says Panag. That surprise should never be spoilt.
We don't want to know how many women you've slept with
OK, we do want to know. But we won't be happy. So don't give a number until we're officially a couple. And if it's double your age, it's classier to be vague. "Unless she has slept with more men, she won't bother asking, "says RVM.
First-date conversation can be painful
Keep yourself abreast with current affairs, a bit of literature, some science, so we can exchange opinions and talk about something other than ourselves. "Guys eventually steer conversations around themselves. Try to stay off your personal stuff and talk up something that's of common interest. There's nothing sexier than a well-informed man who knows his own mind. If you're passionate about what you say, even if it's just your new iPhone, you get full marks," says Panag.