A friend of mine texted me the other day freaking out because he asked a girl out on a date. He wasn’t sure what they should do and his fear was that he’d find her trying to dip out the bathroom window like the movies.
While this is one of the risks of a first date, I do have some tips to increase the odds that you’ll CRUSH it.
Be prepared. If you aren’t the most comfortable with small talk, come up with a list of some conversation starters.
Show interest in what they have to say. Ask questions that are personally revealing, without crossing any lines. How many countries have you been to? Fine. Have you ever considered BDSM? Probably not the best idea!
Acknowledge that it will be awkward. It is a first date after all.
Dress for the occasion. Not saying you need to wear a suit and tie, but put some effort into how you look. Poor grooming is an instant turnoff.
When deciding where to go or what to do, suggest a few things and let your date choose. Odds are you won’t know what your date is into, so letting them have the final say will ensure that you’ll both be happy with the plan.
Avoid controversial topics. No one wants a heated debate about the impact of global warming right off the bat.
Take a deep breath and be yourself. You got this!
Be aware of your body language. If you sit with your arms and legs crossed, your date will most likely assume that you aren’t interested.
Accept that they may not be interested in a second date. Don’t take it personally. Maybe, you just weren’t their cup of tea. Or maybe they prefer coffee. Don’t let it bruise your confidence too much.
If the date did go well and you’d like to see them again, ask directly. The first date is already full of unknowns, so subtle hints aren’t usually appreciated.
Hopefully these tips will save you from some hella awkward silence and the typical “so uh… you like food?” type questions. Don’t forget, the dating game is tough, but it can also be pretty exciting. So, good luck!
