First date tips

Tips for an Enjoyable First Date

It doesn’t matter whether you are someone who is completely new to the world of dating, someone who has recently started, or is considering starting, to date again, following a relationship breakup, or a seasoned dater, the very first date with someone new can be a particularly nerve-wracking encounter. Whilst a few fluttering butterflies in the stomach can add a certain excitement to the occasion, feeling wholly uncomfortable will only serve to detract from, what should be, an enjoyable experience. Although this article does not promise to completely erase nervous excitement, which you, most probably, wouldn’t want to do anyway, it provides three useful tips to help make the first date feel less daunting.

 What to do on a first date…

The first piece of advice concerns the, all important, first date outfit. You might make the common mistake of thinking that you ought to dress to impress, but it is actually of the utmost importance that you choose to wear something comfortable and appropriate for the date. There is nothing more attractive than someone who is entirely at ease with themself, however, feeling comfortable will be very difficult if you are dressed in something, which you do not feel good wearing. You will, more than likely, be self conscious and this will be noticeable to your date. Similarly, if you are not dressed appropriately for the particular type of date, on which you are going, you might find it hard to relax and embrace the experience. For example, if you have agreed to go bowling, dressing up for an evening of nightclubbing probably wouldn’t be the best idea. There are no hard and fast rules. The important thing is that you feel as comfortable as possible and wearing something you wouldn’t normally consider, because you want to impress your date, is likely to have the reverse effect. You should, therefore, only dress for yourself and think carefully about where you will be going, before deciding on an outfit.

Secondly, and equally as important for a first date, you should only agree to a date you are comfortable with.  If you don’t like art, don’t agree to spend an entire afternoon wandering around art galleries, in the pretence that it is your favourite pastime, just because it is a passion of your date. Although it is, undoubtedly, good to try new experiences, and compromise is important, you definitely do not want to be left feeling out of your depth, because it will show. It is vital that you are honest about your own interests, and passions, from the outset, so that you can relax and be yourself. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your own interests are trivial, or unworthy, in comparison to those of your date. If the person you have agreed to go out with dismisses the things you enjoy, or judges you on them, would you really want a second date anyway?

The third tip, covered here, is also connected to the location of the first date. If you are concerned about how you will maintain a conversation, throughout the entire duration of the date, do yourself a favour and arrange to do something where conversation will not be the main focal point. For example, you could plan a cinema date. This will give you a chance to loosen up and enjoy the company of your date, without feeling under pressure to fill every silence. Furthermore, if you see a really good movie, you will be guaranteed to come away with an immediate conversation starter. Of course, if you are someone who likes nothing more than getting to know your date better, through good conversation,  the opposite to the above advice will be appropriate and you might want to go to a quiet restaurant, or for a moonlit walk, so that you can really talk. If this sounds like your idea of bliss, then go for it. Again, it is about knowing yourself and what feels comfortable for you. If you do, however, find yourself struggling for something to talk about, possibly due to nerves, remember you don’t need to fill every silence. Additionally, if you are concerned about awkward silences, you can always ask your date a question. It will instantly take the focus away from you and provide an opportunity for you to learn more about your date. Furthermore, as you listen, and respond, you will find the conversation will begin to flow naturally.

This article has provided three simple suggestions to facilitate an enjoyable first date, however, you might have found other things that work equally well, or even better, for you. The important thing to remember, with all of this, is that dating is meant to be fun. It is something to enjoy, rather than endure and, if you keep in mind the tips outlined in this article, you should be better able to relax and concentrate on having a great time.

Others quotes about love you might like …