Problem: Article: Although it is strongly suggested that you buy a cello you have had the opportunity to examine and test personally, you can also purchase them online. Find an internet merchant that sells cellos like Cellos2Go, LindaWest.com, StringWorks, or FineViolins.com. You'll want to make sure that at least one person on the staff is a cello specialist. There are multiple communities online for buying and selling cellos as well as simply getting in touch with other cellists. Cello.org has a classifieds section, as do Uvcello.org and Usedviolins.com. Additionally, there are Facebook communities like Cello Community International that you can inspect. Be advised that the hosts of these communities do not screen, authorize, or in any way ensure the authenticity of the offers being made. Auction sites are just about the last place you want to look for a musical instrument. It is much more likely that you will end up buying an item that is misleading and a waste of your money through these sites. If you absolutely see a cello that you are interested in buying on one of these sites, have someone with an experienced eye look at the listing's details, photos, and help you ask the sellers questions. Many of the cheap cellos you might find on these sites are Chinese with setups that more experienced cellists will point out are bad (poor quality strings, improperly made bridges, tail pieces that are heavy and cheap). The listings may also include the words like "master" which is entirely misleading. Whether you are purchasing from a store website or an auction listing, beware prices that seem too good to be true. Although the exact number seems to be in dispute ($700 or $1000) the general consensus of experts is that the cheaper you go, the more likely you are to end up with a piece of junk that will experience problems down the line. If the wood is uncured, the body could crack, come unglued, or the neck could separate from the body. Damages such as these would render the instrument unplayable even after having spent the extra money it will take to get it set up in a reputable shop, and you will have to pay more money to get it fixed later (if it can even be fixed). In general, you want to be seek out a cello that has been around for a number of years and has already "opened up" its sound. But it's impossible to tell based on the listing's photos if the item is actually older because these days antiquing methods in virtually every country cellos are manufactured in are good enough to trick many amateurs. They can even put dings and scratches into the surface. It is vitally important if you insist on doing your shopping online that you look for the information you need to make a correct choice. Find out when it was produced, if it's laminated or varnished, and what woods it's made of (plywood or spruce and maple). You want to avoid anything laminated, made of plywood, or too new; if you can't find the information to make a good assessment, contact the seller for more details. Some appraisers and sellers of violins like Celloconnection.com and Reuning.com will provide certificates of authenticity for owners; ask if the seller has one, or ask for them to get it appraised if they are claiming a special maker. Never make a purchase without knowing all the details. If a seller does not want to be honest about any of those details, you should find another place to buy a cello from. No matter where you choose to buy from, be sure to check what return policies they have in the event that the item is damaged in transit or, once it arrives, you decide it doesn't suit you. Additionally, you'll want to find out if there is any kind of warranty made by the seller. Just like when buying in a store, you will need to buy other items like a bow, case, extra strings, and the like for your instrument. Especially if you are seeking the cheapest cellos you can find you should not expect these items to be included unless they are specifically listed on the web site's listing. After you receive the item, you'll want to check to make sure that it didn't sustain any damages during transit. If any pieces have loosened or slipped off while the instrument was being shipped, be sure to get someone experienced, like your teacher or a shop, to put it together again immediately. You also need to make sure that the soundpost is in the correct position before you attempt to play or tighten the instrument's strings; doing otherwise may ruin the instrument.
Summary: Use a trusted mail order firm. Look around online cello communities. Avoid auction sites if possible. Beware extremely low prices. Don't judge a listing based on appearances. Know what to look for in descriptions. Check for return policies and warranties. Purchase your additional supplies. Inspect the cello upon arrival.

Problem: Article: If you are interested, smile at him, and if he says something funny, laugh. Put down your phone, and make eye contact while you are talking. You're not just being superficial. Rather, you're showing him you're interested in him, just as he's interested in you. Also, the brain perceives the smiles of other people as a reward. In other words, when you smile at someone, their brain processes that as a reward. If you want to encourage someone who's flirting with you, a smile is a good place to start. If he's just smiling at you, don't be afraid to say hello if you want to talk to him more. If he's asking you questions, respond in such a way that leaves room for more conversation. You want to open the conversation, so he understands that you find him interesting. One way to encourage him to start talking is to ask him his opinion about something. For instance, ask what he thinks of the restaurant, what he's eating, or even a question about the team playing on television behind you. Make questions open-ended. Asking a simple yes-or-no question will get you a simple yes-or-no answer. An open ended question requires more than a simple yes or no to answer it. For instance, asking "Do you like the wine?" is a yes-or-no question. Asking "What do you like about that wine?" requires that he provide a deeper answer. If he's been flirting with you, he's most likely said some nice things to you, so return the favor. Everyone likes to hear nice things about themselves, and guys are no exception. Plus, giving him a compliment back lets him know you're interested. Keep it honest. Try to look for something you can sincerely compliment him on, and make it specific. For example, "You're handsome," is pretty general. "Your smile lights up the room," is much more specific. Don't stick to just good looks. Complimenting his brain can be just as flirtatious. For example, you could say, "What an insightful comment. You seem like a really smart guy." It's not enough just to open up the conversation. You also have a responsibility to help keep it going. If you keep talking, you show you're interested in his flirting and him as a potential date. Try digging a little deeper. Ask about what interests him. See if he has any interesting hobbies or if he has pets. Ask about his job or what he likes to do outside of work. Use anything to keep the conversation going. As your showing interest, your body says a lot about how you feel, too. If you like someone, you will probably use some unconscious body language to tell the person that, but you can also be conscious of what your body is saying, too. For instance, you don't want to use closed-off body language, such as crossing your arms or legs and turning your body away from the person. Leaning in, touching the other person, adopting open body language, and smiling are all ways of encouraging interest.
Summary:
Pay attention to him. Open up the conversation. Give him a compliment. Try to keep the conversation going. Don't forget your body language.