On my show Naughty Americans, recently a viewer asked me “How do I get the ball rolling after I meet a girl?” He was a 30 year old “virgin,” who had been with a girl once, so I informed him he was actually not a virgin. But nonetheless, it seemed he kept winding up in “The Friend Zone” and couldn’t take things to the next level.

One problem here is that you can’t take things from “The Friend Zone” to the next level. That’s because once you’re in the Friend Zone, the only level past that is “The Awkward Zone.”

You have to skip The Friend Zone all together and let her know from the beginning that you are a guy that is either a hook-up guy or a potential relationship guy, but not a help her with moving, bring her soup when she’s sick, hear about all the other guys she’s dating ; friend guy.

How do you do this? Ask her out; immediately. Also, set up the next date when you are on your first date.

If you ask her out when you first meet her, then your first call isn’t weird or daunting because it’s more of a confirmation.

First dates are best to keep casual, and comfortable. Go some place you know, and do something you are good at. That’s a good way to show her the confident real you as opposed to a nervous trying to impress a girl version of you.

Keep it casual at first, but also keep a more intimate follow-up location in your back pocket in case things are going well (and not your place). It’ll be a nice surprise when she thinks things are winding up if the date is going really well.

A great first date idea if you meet her at a bar or a club on a Saturday or Friday night: invite her to Brunch the next day. This shows her you actually would like to hang out; right away while you’re fresh in her mind. It shows her you’re not trying to take her home while she’s drunk and tired. It gives her a reason to give you her number. Also its casual, unassuming, with plenty of potential.

Make your plans for your second date while you’re on your first date. Listen to what she says, and what she’s into.  Plan right there to do something along those lines within the next week. In a day or two text or call her with the show you found, museum exhibit, etc. This way, again, this call is more like a confirmation than a cold call.

Also, at the end of the first date, go for the kiss. A little one at first; not a slobber-all-over-the-face smooch to start. Just go for a little kiss. She can either slap you, in which case you had no chance anyway. She can give you a cheek, which is not a bad sign: she could be interested, just planning to start kissing you on the next date. Or, she may meet your lips and give you a little kiss right back. You’ll have to take it from there.