A first date is a make-or-break situation. It’s your chance to make a great first impression and determine whether or not there will be a second date. But what should you do to make sure you have the best possible chance for success?
Arrive late
One of the worst things you can do on a first date is arrive late. This sends a signal that you’re not interested in the person you’re meeting, and it can put them on edge for the rest of the date. If you’re running late, call or text to let your date know and apologize profusely when you finally arrive. You’ll want to make a good impression, and being late is a surefire way to ruin it.
Talk about your ex
If you’re on a first date, it’s best to avoid talking about your ex. Why? First, it can make you seem like you’re not over them and still hung up on the past. Second, it can make your date feel like they’re being compared to your ex, which is never a good feeling. Third, talking about your ex can take away from the present moment and the potential for future moments with your date. So save the ex talk for another time and focus on getting to know your date better.
Drink too much
No one wants to be around a slobbering, stumbling mess on a first date. It’s unattractive, and it’ll make your date think you can’t handle your liquor. So drink in moderation, or better yet, don’t drink at all if you’re nervous. You don’t want to give your date the wrong idea.
Get too personal
You might be tempted to share all sorts of personal information on a first date, but resist the urge. Getting too personal can give your date the wrong impression, and it can make things feel awkward. Stick to topics that are light and fun, and save the heavy stuff for later.
Dress inappropriately
It’s always a good idea to make a good impression on a first date, and that starts with what you wear. You don’t want to dress in a way that’s too casual or too formal – somewhere in the middle is usually best. And, whatever you do, avoid these fashion faux pas:
- Wearing jeans that are ripped, stained, or otherwise look like they’ve seen better days. First impressions matter, and you want to look like you took some time to get ready for the date.
- Wearing a shirt with an offensive message or graphic. You might think it’s funny, but it’s not likely to make a good impression on your date.
- Wearing something that’s too revealing. It’s important to feel comfortable on a first date, but you don’t want to give your date the wrong idea by wearing something that’s overly sexy or revealing.
- Wearing shoes that are uncomfortable or difficult to walk in. You’re going to be doing a lot of walking on your date, so make sure you’re comfortable in your shoes!
- Wearing clothes that are wrinkled or ill-fitting. Again, first impressions matter – so make sure you look put-together by wearing clothes that fit well and aren’t wrinkled or stained.