WESTLIFE SORT OUT YOUR LOVE LIFE!

Sugar Magazine, March 2001 thanks very much to Katrina for this article!!!

What's the best way of asking someone out...and making sure they say yes?

Shane: Just go over and get chatting. It's better if you're in a group, 'cause you can be more subtle. But never get a mate to ask someone out for you. That's so childish.

Mark: I agree - you've definitely got to ask them yourself. I never use cheesy chat-up lines, either. I just flirt a little and then, if they flirt back, I go for it!

Kian: Try to act on the spur of the moment and be original. If they say no to start with, tell them to think about it and make their mind up later. Be cool about it!

it's easy to neglect your mates when you start seeing someone new...how d'you make sure your friends still feel special?

Bryan: I went through that when I first started going out with Kerry. Your friends are important, though, and after that first couple of months, you've gotta make time for them.

Nicky: Your mates are important, but at the start of a relationship, you have to give that special person more time. Explain to your mates that you'll still be hanging out with them, but maybe not quite as often, and hope they understand.

Kian: Introduce your boyfriend to your mates so they get to know each other. Then you can all hang out together!

How d'you cope if you're going out with someone who acts totally different around their mates?

Shane: That'd really put me off. You don't want to be going out with two different people. Tell them it bothers you and if they don't change, ditch 'em! Kian: Confront them about it. If it was me, I'd just say 'goodbye'!

Nicky: Guys do this a lot. But if you find it really difficult to be around your boyfriend when he's like that, then you should talk to him and explain how you feel.

hat if the person you're dating is perfect in every way, except that they're rubbish at snogging?

Bryan: Kissing's so important. The first time Kerry and I kissed, we knew straight away that it was special. If there's nothing there when you kiss, then maybe they're not the one for you.

Mark: You should never tell someone they've got a bad snog technique - you'll shatter them. If you like them enough, it shouldn't matter anyway.

Shane: I'd be a willing teacher and try and help them out! If they were really bad, I'd explain how I'd like to be kissed.

Kian: As time goes by, you start to get used to what the other person likes, so it's usually nothing to worry about.

How d'you tell someone you're not ready to sleep with them?

Kian: Just say no. If you don't want to do it, don't. Your boyfriend will understand if he really likes you.

Nicky: If you're not ready, you should be able to talk to your boyfriend about how you feel. If he doesn't listen to your views, maybe he's not with you for the right reasons.

Bryan: You should never have sex just because someone's pressuring you. Having sex for the first time is very personal and it's something you shouldn't rush into or do just because it seems the cool thing to do. If you have any doubts, don't have sex - I didn't even kiss a girl until I was 17!

What's the best way of patching things up after a blazing row?

Shane: If you're in the wrong, you should always try to make it up to the other person. I always send flowers. The main thing is to make the other person feel special.

Kian: Go away and cool off. It's important to have your own space for a while so you can come back and talk about it in a nice, calm way.

Nicky: If it's your fault, then you've gotta apologise. And if it wasn't your fault, y'know, sometimes you have to agree to disagree! It's awful when you like someone, but they don't know you exist. How d'you get over it?

Shane: It's happened to me a few times and you have to accept it. You've just got to move on and do things to take your mind off it.

Mark: Hmm...that's tricky! Try your best to keep away from that person, so you can get over them. Seeing them all the time will only make it harder for you.

Bryan: There was this girl I was crazy about for 10 years and when I finally told her how I felt, she had a boyfriend so she wasn't interested! I'd say tell them how you feel, because even if they don't like you in that way, at least you can start getting over it.

Kian: Unfortunately, you just have to deal with it. If someone doesn't like you in that way, there's nothing you can do about it. It's hard at first, but its gets easier.

What's the kindest way to end a relationship?

Shane: Face to face, definitely. Just explain that you're not happy any more and that you think you'd be better off just being friends.

Kian: You could always say you're too young to commit yourself, or if you've got different interests, you can use that as a reason. But always do it face to face - it's awful to do it over the phone or with an email.

Mark: You're going to hurt their feeling whichever way you do it, so try to be as kind as possible.

Bryan: Don't keep someone hanging on. If you know the relationship's over, you should say it straight away. That's much kinder than stringing someone along for ages.

And finally, guys, what's the best way to mend a broken heart?

Mark: There's no instant 'cure', unfortunately! You just need time and support from your family and friends. It means a lot if they can be there for you.

Nicky: Spending time with your friends is the best cure. If you've got a mate with a broken heart, arrange lots of things for them to do to take their mind off it. Even though they won't feel like it, it's important to keep them busy.

Kian: Yeah, you need to surround yourself with all the people you love. Being with your family and mates will make you feel better, so go out and enjoy yourself and get it all out of your system. Then you can move on!

article ©Sugar magazine 2001