Dear Nafsika,

I've been dating a wonderful man for about six weeks and we're getting on very well. However, apart from a regular goodbye kiss on the cheek, there's been no other physical contact between us and he hasn't shown any inclination to take things to the next level.

Normally I'm quite a confident and forthright person, but because I really like him I have been careful not to do anything that might cross his boundaries and scare him off. But I'm beginning to think that I've read the signals all wrong and that he just thinks of me as a friend.

Yours, Anna

Dear Anna

Six weeks is a long time to be dating someone if you're not interested in them romantically, so I doubt he thinks of you as a friend. Do your meetings feel like a dates? If so, I think it's very unlikely that you've read the signals wrong. On the other hand, is he a shy person and do you feel that you've given him much encouragement? You see, from his point of view - if he's quite shy and if he perceives you as a strong, confident woman - he might be thinking that if you were interested and ready to take things further, you would have done something about it by now.

I think you should take the plunge and kiss him. You have nothing to lose: if he likes you, he'll be delighted, and if he doesn't - or if he has other doubts about the relationship - it's about time you found out. It is possible that he may have certain fears about starting a physical relationship - many people do, but it's important for him to know how you feel about him.

And I really don't think there are any men left who are conservative enough to object to a woman taking the first step in such a situation. So go for it!

Best of luck, Nafsika

If you have a dating dilemma or would benefit from some one-on-one confidential coaching, why not contact PARSHIP's singles coach Dr Nafsika Thalassis. FREE for PARSHIP members. Click here for Singles coaching.