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First Date Tips | Online Date Tips

By Melanie on April 28th, 2011

A first date can make even the strongest heart flutter, and if you don’t want it to be a disaster, you need to plan it well—right from the person you invite to how you intend to spend your time with him/her. Dating was much easier in the past when men and women played specific roles and the dating code of conduct and etiquette were well-established, understood, and practiced. Men always bowed to women, opened doors for them, picked them up at home and dropped them back in time, and so on while women behaved in a soft and submissive manner. Gender roles have changed with the times, owing to which one cannot follow archaic dating rules any more. However, a little bit of common sense is all that is required for a successful first date. These dating tips for the first date should help you be more comfortable and make your best first impression.

First Date Location

Choose your location with care, depending on how intimate you are with this person. If you have asked your long-lost college love out on a date, you could go for a long drive or a long walk in a park or along the beach. If you don’t really know your date well, go for lunch at a nice restaurant, but not a very expensive one. If you are afraid of being tongue-tied on the date, you can visit the wild life sanctuary, zoo, the local club, fair, musical concert, or festival, where you will find no shortage of things to talk about.

Making Conversation

You want to have lots of fun at your first date, so keep the conversation light and amusing, without being too flippant. Avoid talking about ex spouses, girlfriends, or boyfriends, bad experiences with the opposite gender, and debatable topics such as religion and politics. The conversation should be geared to make the other person feel comfortable and shouldn’t get too serious for comfort.

You can inject a generous dose of compliments in your conversation, but don’t keep the compliments too short. For instance, if you like his shoes, don’t just say, “Great shoes,” but give a short review of those shoes, what it is about them that you like so much, and so on. Here is a great list of questions to ask on the first date.

First Date Clothes

You do not need to go all out; simultaneously, you should take care that you dress well in your most comfortable outfit. Ensure that you clothes are well-pressed, clean, and fit you well. Be sure to represent who you are, while also making a good first impression.

Some Dos and Don’ts

You should be at your polite best at your first date. Do not forget to thank your partner for the wonderful date. Throughout the date, focus on your partner’s words and body language and respond well; avoid disappointing your partner by being preoccupied with something else or observing the people around you. Never interrupt your date when he/she is saying something and do not force yourself to speak even when you have nothing to say; sometimes, even silence says a great deal.

Avoid complaining and grumbling; be cheerful, comfortable, and optimistic; above all, be yourself. As far as possible, avoid drinking too much on your first date.

Special Dating Tips for Men

You don’t need to impress her with expensive gifts and dinners right at the first date; instead spend the time trying to get to know her better. Pay special attention to your clothes because women have a sharp eye for clothes and appearance.

Women still love chivalry in men; so you won’t offend her if you pull out the chair for her, open the door for her, and support her when she stumbles over something. Be attentive and full of compliments. Pay the bills because she will love it. She might pretend to want to pay her share, but will truly appreciate it if you pay it in full.

If the date has gone well, it might end at your house; so ensure that your house is spic and span. Kiss her only if she appears willing; otherwise limit yourself to just a handshake. Don’t try to take it all the way to the bed, and she will consider you to be a real gentleman. More online dating tips for men.

Special Dating Tips for Women

Since men are in the habit of taking you at face value, dress modestly. Avoid all those low cut, clinging outfits and dress as comfortably as possible.

Be polite and gentle, but if your date gets aggressive and rough, don’t hesitate to use your nails or any other weapon you might have in your handbag. Don’t ever pretend to be dumb to please your man; be yourself.

Above all, pay good attention to him and avoid getting drunk. More online dating tips for women.

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