10 tips for a first date- By
Sarah Abell
The Inside Out Dating Guide: In a new monthly series, our relationships
expert, Sarah Abell looks at issues to do with dating and offers her
practical advice. In the second of the Inside Out Dating Guides she looks at
what to do and what not to do on a first date.
A first date is loaded with expectancy – will she/he like me and will I like
them? Is this person going to be the “One” or will I want to run for the
hills before the starter? Will I do or say the right thing or will I totally
embarrass myself? Will we get physical and if so, will there be any
chemistry between us? Will we have anything to talk about and if not, how
will we get through the evening?
It is definitely possible to think too much about a first date. The key is to
relax, enjoy yourself and not to analyse everything too much. Regardless of
whether you hit it off, wouldn’t it be great if you could both say that you
had a good experience? So, how can you make sure that your first date is the
best it can be (even if it turns out to be your only date together)? Here
are some suggestions on what to do and what not to do.
Things to do:
1. Chose the venue carefully
If you are doing the choosing, pick somewhere that you know your date will
like. Just because you fancy the idea of eating a snake banquet, it doesn’t
mean that they will.
A drink in a quiet bar, a quick supper or lunch in a little place you know are
great ideas. The advantage of keeping the first date short and simple is
that if you don’t like each other, you haven’t got to make it through a
seven-course meal together. If you do like each other, you can either extend
the date, or plan a longer one for next time. It is always better to leave
wanting more.
Try and avoid very noisy places (where you can’t hear each other), cinemas
(where you can’t talk), sporting events (unless you know for a fact that
they are interested), or your home (because it could be risky if you don’t
know them).
If you already know the person and are pretty certain that you both like each
other then by all means go for the big romantic gesture. But remember it is
possible to overdo things. My husband turned up for our second date with a
bottle of wine, flowers and a box of chocolate biscuits, but soon realised
he only had two hands and decided to leave the biscuits in the car!
2. Make an effort
Do put your best food forward. Make an effort with your appearance - but not
so much of an effort that your date wouldn’t recognise you if they bumped
into you in the street the next day.
Making an effort shows that you care and that you want to make a good
impression. Unwashed hair, bad hygiene and yesterday’s clothes aren’t likely
to win anyone over.
And don’t overdue the alcohol – especially if you have a tendency to become
boorish, rude, indiscreet, lecherous, violent or sick when intoxicated.
3. Be kind
Whether you are attracted to the person or not – be kind. It doesn’t cost you
anything, and it will make a big difference to the other person’s enjoyment
of the date. Being kind also means not lying or giving false hope. Don’t tell someone that
you will phone and that you can’t wait to see them again, if you have no
intention of following through.
4. Leave your emotional baggage at home
If you have a huge line in exes, a past addiction to therapy and you still
can’t forgive your Dad for missing your sports' day when you were five, keep
it to yourself on your first date. Too much emotional baggage, too soon, is
never attractive. If you end up in a relationship – you’ll have plenty of
opportunity to air your past sexual history, your hang-ups and all your past
regrets and mistakes.
A first date, like a first interview, is the time to emphasise your best
points not to draw attention to your weaknesses.
However, if your date asks you a direct question, such as, “Have you ever been
married?” (or even “Are you married?”) then of course give the true answer.
5. Be yourself
Let the other person see the real you. A first date is not the time to try
out being the person you’d like to be, or the person you think your date
would like you to be. After all, you don’t want them falling in love with a
false version of you. You want someone who likes you for all you are, with
your good bits, your not so good bits, your little quirky bits and all the
things in between that make you, you.
Things not to do:
6. Don’t dominate the conversation
If you do all the talking – especially about yourself – it will give the
impression that you aren’t interested in your date. The other person will
feel flattered and special if you take the time to listen to them, ask them
questions and draw them out.
I’m not suggesting that you don’t talk about yourself. It is important that
the other person has a chance to learn about you, but try and make sure that
you are listening as much - or more - than you are talking.
7. Don’t forget your manners
Bad manners aren’t attractive and are likely to irritate your date. Make sure
you turn up on time and if you are going to be late for any reason, let them
know. Turn off your phone (or put it on silent if you are expecting an
urgent call) and remember to say “thank you” if the other person is footing
the bill.
You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat the waiters or waitresses
and how they react if things don’t go their way in a traffic jam or a queue.
So don’t just be polite to your date, be kind to other people too. It will
reflect well on you.
8. Don’t pretend to be anything you’re not
In an attempt to impress, it can be tempting to exaggerate, dress up the
truth or just plain lie. You may get away with that if you don’t see them
again after the first date but if the relationship does last any longer, you
may find yourself in a tricky situation later down the line.
So, if you are separated, don’t say you are divorced. If you hate football
don’t say that you can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday
afternoon, than cheering on Bristol City. And if you work part-time in a
call centre – don’t say you’re something big in communications. Stick with
the truth and it will be a lot easier to remember what you said on future
dates.
9. Don’t make an instant judgement
Many of us make up our minds as to whether we like someone in the first few
seconds or minutes of meeting. But our first impressions can be misleading.
Try not to rule people out straight away. Instead, spend some time getting
to know them. If you’re not sure about someone, it may take two or three
dates before you can really decide.
Try not to be too quick to judge or too fussy or rigid about what you are
looking for in a potential partner. I nearly ditched my gorgeous husband on
the second date because he was wearing a tight polyester sports top and I’m
not a great fan of man-made fibres (apparently I wasn’t meant to see it, but
he got too hot under his thick jumper). If you get too restrictive about
what you are looking for or if you make up your mind about someone too
quickly – you will risk missing out.
10. Don’t rush things
Take time to get to know the other person before getting too emotionally or
physically involved with them. Sex is a powerful bonder and if you sleep
together on the first date it may blind you to any fundamental problems
between you. It helps if you can establish that there’s more to the
relationship than just chemistry before ripping off each other’s clothes. We
all know people who have had a passionate affair with someone only to “wake
up” two months later and realise that they don’t even like the person and
that they have nothing in common with them.
Equally, don’t get too emotionally involved too quickly. Saying “I love you”
on the first date isn’t romantic – it’s a bit creepy (unless you’ve known
them a long time).
If that you’re in a happy, healthy relationship, there are some Facebook rules that need following to ensure it stays that way. 10 things to never do on Facebook if you are in a relationship:
