FIRST DATE? HERE ARE SOME TIPS...

The first date is where the fun really begins, but even for the most confident amongst us, meeting someone for the first time can be nerve-wracking especially with someone you barely know. 

Honestly, first dates may suck, but unfortunately, they're pretty necessary in the world of dating. They're where you make your first impression, and they help in deciding whether or not there will be a second date.  

Here are 9 tips to rock your first date!

• Important safety bit

Choose a public or familiar place to meet where you’ll feel comfortable and secure in your surroundings. For extra measure, make sure you tell at least one friend or family member who you are meeting, their contact, where you are going, and what time you expect to return – just so they know.

• Look fresh. 

It’s very important to feel good about yourself. What often helps is by spending a bit of time making ourselves look and smell good. 

Put on your lucky and favorite pants and T-shirt and make sure you smell good. 

You don’t have to wear expensive clothes or perfume. The fresh smell of you is good. 

As you do all this, remember to put some music on, or your favorite film/TV show and try to get your confident date face on.

• Just be you 

People always say when giving advice about dating and stuff” just be yourself”. This is easier said than done because on a date we might fear getting rejected. So it’s very tempting to try to really impress someone, to be someone else, or to try and use dating tips and techniques. The problem with this is that the other person won’t be seeing anything like the real you.

This doesn’t mean telling someone all of your faults and absolutely everything about you. But it does mean that you need to try to be authentic.

• Keep conversation light

The first date is all about enjoying the company of someone new and intriguing. So aim to avoid provoking political debates and stories about past relationships. Dating should be fun, so try to keep the conversation light and upbeat with stories and questions. If you still find yourself struggling, then try having some pre-prepared ice breaker questions and read up on how to be an interesting date.

• Enjoy “this” date not the next

Try not to think about what happens after the date. If you’re constantly thinking about whether you are going to get laid or have a snog, or second date, or a marriage proposal you won’t enjoy the date. And, ironically, will probably not get all the things you want from it because you’re too distracted.

• Pay attention 

Remember that dates are just about chatting with someone, not at someone. So listen hard and try to go with the flow of conversation rather than just looking for opportunities to tell your killer stories.

• Body language

Think about your body language, even if you’re not massively into the date. Checking your phone, folding your arms, yawning, or turning your back on your date is not a good look. If you aren’t really enjoying the date it’s okay to tell a little lie and end it early: “I’ve got a really early start” or “I’m feeling a bit tired.”

• Split the bill

If you think your date might pick up the check and you're not sure how much food to order, ask them what they're getting. It's a totally normal question and then you can choose something for the same price. When the check comes, offer to split it. If they really insist on paying, thank them and maybe next time offer to get ice cream on you.

The reason for this is if one person pays then the other person might feel like they owe them something: eg another date, a snog, a shag, a compliment.

In case it goes really well

If you’re keen on a second date with this person, tell them! However, if you’re shy, or would prefer to gauge whether they’d like to see you again, perhaps you could hint by saying: “It’s been lovely meeting you, I really enjoyed it.”

If you’re 100% sure you don’t want a second date, it’s important that you still try to end the date on a warm and positive note, while being truthful, to avoid hurt feelings. Honesty truly is the best policy; being honest creates transparency where trust can flourish and is something you can take forward into your next date or relationship.