First Date Advice

Did you ask a girl you like out on a date?  Did she say yes?  Right about now, you may be excited.  As your date approaches, your excitement may turn to nervousness.  What should I wear? How should I act?  Where should we go?  Continue reading on for a few helpful tips.

Planning the Date

When you asked the girl on a date, what did you say?  If you asked her to the movies, that is where you should go.  Do not change a date location without first speaking to her.  This is one of the fastest ways to ruin a first date.  If you want to sneak in dinner or a drinks, that is okay, but always live up to your words.  If you do make changes, discuss them in advance.

If you asked the girl if she would like to go out with you, but didn’t provide her with a destination, start thinking about it now.  Don’t decide at the last minute, as this may result in disaster.  The best first dates are those where you can have fun and get to know the girl.  Opt for movie and a dinner, an outdoor concert, a picnic, bowling, and so forth.  If you are still at a loss for ideas, ask her for suggestions.

There are two ways to arrive at a date, together or separate.  When possible, you want to drive your date.  She may not accept your offer, but at least make it. 

Preparing for Your Date

For most men, preparation begins a few hours before date time.  Yes, this is true, but think about costs.  If you are on a budget, you need to financially prepare for your date ahead of time.  You can prevent this from becoming a problem by opting for an affordable destination.  For example, don’t choose a restaurant where you can’t afford half the food on the menu.

Most guys prepare for a date by showering.  This is a small, but important step.  Show up clean.  If you don’t think you will have enough time, try to leave work early, skip your afternoon at the gym, and so forth.  Do not assume that loading cologne on will hide your smell.  It may, but your date may also have a bad reaction to it.

The Date

You want to make a good first impression with your date.  The easiest way to do this is to arrive early.  Never be late for date.  If you will be late, call immediately.  Do not assume that all women are alike and running late.  Some women run on schedule.  Even still, you want to be on time even if you have to wait a few minutes for her.

The goal of a first date is to learn more about the one you are with.  For that reason, keep on talking.  Pauses in a conversation are common, but try to prevent them.  Ask your date questions and she should do the same.  If not, talk a little bit about yourself.

The most important thing to remember about first dates is that they aren’t supposed to be perfect.  Rarely will a first date go 100% as planned.  There will always be awkward moments.  There will always be pauses in the conversation and one of you is likely to say something slightly embarrassing.  If your first date doesn’t go as planned, don’t panic.  Hopefully, you will have a second chance to make a good impression.

First Date Conversation Ideas

If you are gearing up for a first date, you may be nervous about the conversation.  First dates become extremely awkward when the wrong things are said or when nothing is said at all.  If topics of discussion on your first date is a fear of yours, continue reading on for a few suggestions.

In terms of first date conversations, it is best to plan.  When doing so, break the date down into three different categories.  These categories are beginning, middle, and end.  When you consider each part of your date, as opposed to the whole night, coming up with conversation ideas doesn’t sound so hard.

As for the beginning of the date, it depends on how you start the night.  Did you pickup your date or meet her at the destination?  Regardless, opt for a quick greeting.  A simple “Hi, thank for coming,” should be the first words out of your mouth.

If you pick a date up at her home, greet her inside and then ask if she is ready to go.  Once you get to the car, hold the door open for her.  Once inside, ask if she is comfortable.  If not, make steps to ensure she is.  If she is comfortable, she will likely follow it with something like “you have a nice car.”  This is a good starting point.  You can mention when you bought it or how you got it for a great deal.  Then, ask her about her car.

Another good first date conversation in the car is about likes and dislikes.  Are you going to watch a movie?  Tell her you hope it is good.  Then, ask her what her favorite movie is.  If you don’t know it, ask her to summarize it real quick.  You can take the same approach with favorite restaurants, bars, music groups, and so forth.

If you meet your date at the destination, such as dinner or a movie, ask how the trip was. Ask if she found the place okay.  Do this before asking if she is ready to go inside.

Once your date starts, you will be reaching the middle of the night.  This is where you want to get to know your date.  So, ask questions.  When doing so, don’t dig too deep.  Ask about her family.  Does she have any siblings?  Ask about her job or college classes.  These questions always lead to conversation.  You can also use them to talk about yourself.  Does your date tell you she has a sister and then talk about her?  You can do the same, mention your family.

An awkward point in a date is the end.  If at a restaurant, you may be unsure when it call it a night.  If you are finished eating or drinking, see if your date is interested in doing something else.  Does she want to stop and have a few drinks or listen to a band at a local bar?  It won’t hurt to ask.

A good date relies on good conversation.  This should take place throughout the entire date, but the words you utter at the end of the night have the most influence.  Be sure to say you had a good time.  You will also want to ask her for a second date.  If the date didn’t go so well, you may be nervous about asking.  Instead of outright asking, say “You have my phone number.  Call if want to do this again.”