Yesterday, I chatted with dating coach Toni Coleman of consum-mate.com for my column this week on first dates. And while I had her on the phone, I asked her about the curious bit about hygiene tips in dating manuals.

From her experience as a dating coach, she says it's most definitely necessary. It seems that I was unaware of this because I was focusing on the wrong gender.

"I hate to say this, but I think boys are more of the problem," Coleman said.

She said she's heard horror stories from people (mostly women) who come to her for help. An example in one of the books I skimmed on Wednesday told of a guy who came to a first date with dried food stains all down his shirt. Coleman says that's not as uncommon as you would think (or hope).

But that's no excuse. Especially on a first date.

"I don't care what you do. Clean up," says Coleman. "Don't have holes in your shirt. Not on the first date."

Although my roommate says that there's some grody girls roaming the streets as well. 

Either way, as a public service announcement, please take a shower, wash your hair, brush your teeth, clean your ears and put on some nice, clean clothes without holes or stains when you're going out with someone new. Even if you're a slob, at least give your date a chance to fall in love with the person underneath the layer of dirt first.