Golden Rules for Avoiding Dating Disaster

First dates are both exciting and intimidating. It is can either be a success, or it can also fail. It could be a start of something new, or it could be not. But whatever the outcome is going to be, you’d always want to make sure that you give it your best shot.

And while first dates can be nerve racking, here are some helpful tips to avoid disaster on your first date.

1. Dress appropriately

You do not want to be overdressed, or underdressed during your first date. You also do not want to make a wrong impression during your date so be careful in choosing the clothes you will wear. Make sure not to wear extra revealing outfit, but just wear something that makes you feel confident and good about yourself. This way, you will not feel conscious during your date, and you will be able to focus on the conversation.

2. Arrive on time

This may be a basic rule but this is still very important. You will look more courteous and considerate if you arrive on time and do not keep someone waiting.

3. Choose the right location

The venue can be a significant factor in the success or failure of your first date. If you are meeting and spending time with someone you just met for the first time, you might want to select a place that both of you will enjoy. First dates are the best time for you to get to know each other better, so make sure you choose a place that is conducive for a good conversation like a café, instead of a bar.

4. Know what you want to eat

Taking a long time to decide on the food to order is a sign of indecisiveness and it can be pretty annoying too, so know what you want. Also be careful about what you order because you might end up having something you never really wanted in the first place because you are not familiar with the menu.

5. Avoid using your phone while you are on a date

Using your mobile phone and checking on your social media while you are out on a date is just plain rude and a total turnoff. You are supposed to give your date your full attention to the person you are dating. Don’t forget about your manners.

6. Do not talk about how horrible your ex was

Your first date is not the perfect time for you to complain about how horrible your past relationship your ex was unless you were asked to tell your story about it. Even in relationships, it is never a good habit to keep on talking about your ex or the past. There is a tendency that your date will think that you are still bitter or you have not completely gotten over your ex.

7. Avoid talking about your longing to be in a relationship and starting your own family

It is perfectly fine to dream about having a family of your own with your own kids, but talking about it on a first date may not be the perfect one especially if you are not being asked. It might make you sound like you are desperate to look for someone to be with for the rest of your life.

8. Offer to pay for the meal

It does not matter if you only had coffee or you had dinner, but you have to make sure that you always offer to pay. Even if it has always been a tradition for guys to pay the bill, you still have to offer. This is also one way for you to find out someone’s attitude about paying.

9. Ditch the alcohol

Having alcohol on your first date does not sound like a perfect idea. Aside from the fact that it is not an ideal set up to get to know each other better, being under the influence of alcohol might make you share a little too much information you are not supposed to mention just yet. Or worse, you might end up getting drunk on your first date and there might not be a second time anymore.