Once those dating sites have led you to
a person you think might be quite special to
you, it's time to meet them.
In order
to calm your anxieties about your first date,
here are some great ideas for the time and place
of it. The setting of a first date is of the
utmost importance and there are a lot of Do's
and Don'ts you need to learn about before you
ask someone out! Especially if you only know
them via online chat room and phone discussions,
you'll want to make sure you are careful about
where you take them!
1. Don't go see a movie
A movie theatre is probably one of the least
romantic places you could take your date on. A
romantic comedy is fun to go to with a
significant other you've been dating for a
while, but if you're meeting someone for the
first time, you're just setting yourself up for
a lot of awkward moments. There is no chance to
get to know each other at the movies! Plus, if
the film is bad, it can be a real downer. You're
looking for dating, not a good movie experience.
Interaction is crucial.
2. Do dine out
Restaurants are a great place for
conversation and that's exactly what singles
need to do to learn about each other and
determine if they are good matches. Go ahead and
ask your date ahead of time what food they don't
like; you certainly don't want to take your date
to a seafood restaurant if he or she hates fish!
3. Do be creative
Your date will be impressed if you come up
with an original idea. Bowling, arcades,
carnivals, horseback riding, the park, sporting
events, etc... these are all fun activities that
will help both of you feel at ease and
comfortable around each other.
4. Don't ask intimate questions
Sure, you want to begin the process of
getting to know the other person, but there are
some topics that simply aren't appropriate for a
first date. Hint: anything that is too serious
or relates to his or her ex is probably not good
table talk. However, if both of you have been
engaged in a lot of online dating and have
already touched on these topics, the rules are a
bit different.
5. Don't drink too much
As tempting as it is to relax those nerves
with some alcohol, it's important that you and
your date remain as sober as possible. This is
the only way you can really find out if the
person might be right for you and of course, you
don't want to look like a sloppy idiot either.
6. Don't get too physical
A kiss at the end of the night should be
sufficient; resist urges to get physical early
on. Not only is it inappropriate, but it will
make you appear as though you have little
self-control and that is often a turn off! In
other words, girls – you will appear “easy” if
you do this, and guys – you will not depict
yourself as a respectful gentleman!
7. Do flirt
This seems like a given, but you might be so
self-conscious and tongue-tied that you have the
exact opposite problem of those who might
struggle with tip #6. While you don't want to be
too overbearing, your date is hardly a date if
you don't make your attraction obvious. But how
can you go about this?
Paying attention to your date, giving them a
compliment here and there, opening the door for
them, paying for the bill, lightly brushing
their hand every once in a while, offering them
your jacket if it's cold, and finally – asking
for that goodnight kiss, are all ways to flirt
safely.
8. Do be yourself.
Why is it that friends dating often have so
much luck? It's because they have abandoned any
pretences and they have decided to become a
couple after a long time of getting to know each
other as friends.
First impressions count, so don't pretend to
be someone you're not.
A) Your date probably won't fall for your
act, and B) there's no sense in making someone
attracted to a false identity of yourself that
eventually you will have to expose.
