The ultimate aim of dating, if we're honest, is sex.

Why else would we endure hours of trivial female chatter and pick up the check at the end of it? There is no other reason than the hope that we will somehow convince her to go to bed with us.

So I have to wonder why so many men still rely on two tired ideas: movie and dinner dates.

The movies reek of high-school attempts to score. The more mature option of going to the theater rates a little better. But in both cases, your date is focused on something other than you, and after a couple of hours of not speaking, it is going to be uncomfortable to switch gears and steer her back to yours.

And dinner? Essentially, it's an interview. Unless you take her to a burger bar, it's going to feel slightly formal, and before you know it, you'll have exhausted your limited range of polite conversation. This rarely makes her want to scream “Take me now!”

What you need are dating ideas that will get her heart racing, set you apart from the competition, and most importantly, make her want to drag you into the bedroom. In the spirit of generosity, I give to you four date ideas that have successfully led me straight into bed.

Tango
A common part of the mating ritual is dancing. Women equate how good you are on the dance floor with how good you are in the bedroom. But you should stay away from the obvious drunken nightclub escapades, so suggest a dance class.

Dance classes are traditionally the realm of women. Expressing an interest in them may seem like it would ruin your chances of a heterosexual encounter, but there is one exception.

The tango is regarded as one of the great passionate dances. By attending a tango lesson, you’ll guarantee plenty of close physical contact. The sensual music and connotations of love will certainly get her in the mood. You'll be hot, sweaty and staring into each other’s eyes -- it's as close to sex as you can get without actually being in bed.

Even if you have no talent for the tango, it's unlikely that she'll be a pro either. Laughing at your pathetic attempts at the dance will only improve the date.

Casino
James Bond gets more women than most of us, including me. Women like a man who can take risks. While we can't use the whole international spy thing, we can use one of Bond’s favorite hunting grounds.

A casino is the perfect opportunity to show her you like to take risks. Hit the blackjack or roulette tables with your date and a couple of cocktails -- but resist the urge to adopt a Sean Connery accent.

Remember to make it fun -- you don't want her thinking that you're a gambling addict who drags all his dates to witness his squalid vice. So have a competition to see who can win the most, and keep the martinis flowing.

By the end of the night, the heart-pounding excitement of gambling will make her feel like taking a few risks of her own. Just don't ruin the moment by clumsily suggesting a game of strip poker back at your place.

Costume party
A costume party may seem like your kid brother’s idea of a good date, but you can learn from that little guy. When we dress up, our inhibitions often come tumbling down. Remember: Romeo first met Juliet at a masquerade and wasted no time in seducing her.

Putting on masks allows us to leave behind our everyday selves. Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s spawn constant costume parties at friends’ places or nightclubs. By taking her along to one of these and encouraging her to wear the right outfit, you could unleash a part of her that she normally keeps tightly buttoned down.

Try to get her to dress up as a sensual, lace-clad vampire rather than a bandage-wrapped mummy. Emulating a sexy icon, such as Marilyn Monroe, Cleopatra or Lara Croft, could make her want to use some of that sexuality on you. Or just get her to release her primal side by having her dress up as a wild animal.