Jessica Alba's dating advice

Feb 9, 2010, 16:30 GMT

Jessica Alba thinks men should always pay on dates.

The 'Valentine's Day' actress - who has a 19-month-old daughter Honor Marie with husband Cash Warren - takes an old fashioned approach to romance and would never expect to hand over any cash if she went out with a guy.

She said: "Absolutely pick up the cheque. Hopefully your date offers, but that's just a gesture. You should pick it up."

The 28-year-old star also advised caution when trying to order on behalf of someone else, especially because women will often sacrifice the foods they enjoy in order to look good.

She explained: "You should talk about it. If she seems like the kind of girl that would appreciate you doing that you can try it but you have to rate her. And you should also order two desserts. You should order the one that she's going to order and the one that she really wants.

"I probably would want chocolate cake. But a lot of girls, especially in the beginning, will try to order something healthy even though they want something more decadent."

When it comes to making sexual advances, Jessica always prefers the subtle approach.

She told MTV News: "Eye contact is good - especially if you want it to go to the next level.

"Reaching over is weird. You can play footsy."