First Date Tips
Read these 28 First Date Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Date tips and hundreds of other topics.
First Date Conversation
When on a first date, remember to do more listening than talking. Getting to know your date requires you to ask questions and then carefully listen to the answers. Questions such as ,"What are your hobbies?" are appropriate. Questions such as, "When is the last time you had sex"? are not.
What Should I Wear?
We know first impressions are important, and we'd like to think they're primarily based on personality, right? Wrong. First impressions are largely about on how we look. So when you're getting ready for that all-important first date, think about what you are going to wear. Dress to impress, but also dress to show your personality. Keep in mind the activities you have planned for evening, and dress accordingly. If you initiated the date, make sure your invitee knows your plans as well so that he or she can dress appropriately.
Footing the First Date Bill
Who pays for a date? It's not as clear as it once was. More and more, dates -- even people who have dated for years -- split the tab at the end of the evening. But on the first date, whoever asks for the date should pay. If you decide to continue seeing each other, alternating payment during subsequent dates is only fair. Make an effort to choose activities that fall within both of your budgets.
Try New Things
No one likes to look like a fool. But we often have the best time when we do! If you are on a date, and your partner suggests you try something new -- a new food, a new sport, a new activity -- consider it. Try it. If it's not illegal or immoral, why not? You may find out that you like it or that you're good at it. And you and your date will be closer because you discovered it together. Don't be afraid to fail. Just let your date know that this is a new thing for you and you're nervous, yet willing to try. It could be fun!
First Date Don'ts
First dates are scary, and you might want to surround yourself with friends to ease your nerves. But remember, first dates are for getting to know the other person. So, never take a first date to a party that your friends are throwing. This will put your date at a disadvantage since he or she does not know anyone. Additionally, you may be distracted from your date by your friends, even if that is not your intention. Plan that first meeting around an activity that you and your new date can enjoy together...alone.
The First Kiss
Nothing is more nerve-wrecking than that first kiss. It can happen on the first date or the tenth (depending on your speed and determination). Choose between the sneak attack -- at a time when your date least expects it -- or the announcement -- when you tell your date that you are going to kiss him or her (possibly even describing it in pain-staking detail). The method you choose should be based on your own comfort and on your perception of your date's level of comfort. And when it happens, know that its skill will be soon forgotten and replaced by a second and a third and...
Dating Tips: Style on the First Date
Don't go overboard when dressing for the first date. The key is to appear comfortable and look nice, but not to appear as if you are trying too hard. Wear clothes that look nice but aren't formal; that fit you well and aren't too small. Be clean and well-groomed. Keep both cologne and jewelry to a healthy minimum. Wear only a standard amount of makeup. Subtlety will go the farthest on the first date – you want to leave them wanting more, not less. Always be sure to compliment your date on his or her outfit, too.
Dating Tips: Planning a First Date
Planning is very important for a first date. You don't want to seem indecisive, so avoid a constant cycle of, “what would you like to do?” with your dating partner. The plan should be simple and definite. You don't want to have an elaborate first date, especially if you don't know the other person very well. Planning an afternoon at the carnival, for example, could be disastrous if your date fears rollercoasters, clowns, etc. Remember, the whole point of a first date is to get to know someone and to figure out if you'd like a second. Pick a location where the two of you can talk without being interrupted, but not one that is so secluded that it makes the date seem too intense. Keep the activities simple – you don't want to distract from actually getting to know the person.
Gift For First Meeting
Bring a single flower for your first pre-date meeting.
1) A simple carnation or daisy would be a nice casual way of saying "nice to meet you".
2) Stay away from candy, you don't know if the person is on a diet or if they even enjoy sweets.
3) When buying the flower, ask the florist to put the plastic clear water tip on the cut stem. This will insure the flower will maintain freshness till the next day.
Dating Tips: Making the First Move
Making the first move may sound daunting until you remember what the first move is: It only entails talking to someone. If you see or know someone that you are interested in, talk to them. Make light conversation, and listen to what they have to say. Most people, even if they have no interest in you at first glance, will talk to you. Gauge the conversation: is the person interesting? Do they seem interested in you? If so, try and see if they want to see you again. If you don't feel comfortable about asking for their number, then offer yours; often they will reciprocate. If you get a call, great. If not, don't worry; sometimes people don't click after the first meeting, and there are always more interesting people out there.
Dating Tips: First Date Safety
You may think that it sounds silly, but it's sound dating advice to play it safe on the first date. When choosing a location for a first date, pick a public place, and never agree to meet at the other person's home or apartment. You should also try and meet during the daytime or early evening. Tell your friends where you are going, when you're meeting the person, and when you expect the date to end. Have a friend call your cellphone or send you a text message during the date to check up on you. If you feel uncomfortable at any point during the date, you should leave – make up an excuse if you have to. Remember, this is the first time you have met this person; you can't be too safe.
How To Get A First Date
You're interested in someone; how do you nab that elusive first date? Here are the five essential steps: 1. Get a little insider information about the person you are interested in. 2. Find a creative way to interact with them before you ask them out. 3. Flirt with them a little before you ask them out to see if they respond. 4. Be confident when you ask them out. 5. Be creative in how you ask them out. (This isn't always necessary, but it doesn't hurt!) 6. Pick a great restaurant; they said yes!
What Should I Know?
First dates create anticipation and anxiety. If you've ever wondered what first dates should be like, here are a few ideas to help you prepare. Plan an activity that gives you a chance to talk. Be on time. Be attentive and ask questions. Find something in your date that you can compliment. Know your boundaries, especially the physical ones. And finally, end the date at a reasonable hour. If the date has gone well, your date will want to see you again soon!
A Relationship Before Sex
Ever feel like a man is trying to get you into bed before you've had time to develop a relationship? You want to keep them interested, but you'd like to delay having sex for at least a little while longer. Remember, good guys will not push for sex and then disappear if you don´t give it to them. If he cannot respect that desire, he isn´t worth your time and effort. Sex isn´t something that should be taken lightly. Once others know your standards, only men who have similar values as you have will want to be with you.
What Attitude Will You Have?
Some people like blind dates because they get the opportunity to meet new people. Other people avoid them altogether because of the myth that blind dates are always bad. In both cases, your attitude is the driving force. If you're willing to take a chance, blind dates can open up a whole new world of people and places that you might not otherwise experience. So, if you do give blind dates a chance, take the pressure off of everyone involved and just vow to have fun!
How Long Should A First Date Be?
First dates are one of the most exciting and terrifying unknowns that a person can face. They can be amazing, and you want them to go on forever. They can be beyond painful, and they can't end quickly enough. Since you never know which way they are going to go, do not plan a first date that will last more than three hours. (A day time date -- lunch or a quick drink -- facilitates this plan.) If the date is miserable, that gives you both an excuse to be put out of your misery. If the date goes well, you can plan that second date as soon as you both can fit it into your calendars!
First Date Wisdom
First date? You're bound to be excited. But don't let that excitement cause you to make unsafe choices. If you are meeting someone who contacted you through a personal ad face-to-face for the first time, be sure you do it in a public place -- like a coffee shop or deli. Pick a high traffic time of day like the lunch hour. Never have the person pick you up at your home or give out any other personal information until you have met the person and trust them.
Is Playing Pool On A First Date A Good Idea?
You want a first date activity that is fun and allows time for you to talk and get to know each other. Does playing pool qualify? Perhaps. It may be more important to figure out if your date thinks playing pool is a good idea. Also consider if a pool hall is the environment you want to create for your first date. And since we often recommend a daytime activity for your first date, will playing pool go over well at lunch time? Again, you decide based on information you can glean on your date. If you both think pool is a great first date activity, then rack 'em up!
A Date to Remember
Have you ever wondered why you remember some dates more than others? First, we often remember things that we haven´t experienced before. Our mind remembers things that are unique or new. Most of us don´t have our most memorable dates at a movie because going to the movies is so commonplace. If you want to go on a date that will be remembered for a long time, do something unique or unusual. Here are some ideas: 1. Rent a hot air ballon 2. Go river rafting 3. Go to a homeless shelter and serve food 4. Go to a museum or art center that you haven´t been to 5. Rent a jet ski, ski-doo, or snowmobile The more creative you are, the more successful you will be in creating lasting memories.
What Are Some Fun First Date Ideas
What can you do on a first date that is fun, non-threatening and allows time for both of you to get to know each other better? There are many things that you can do on a first date that are fun. So, think outside the 'dinner-and-a-movie' box and try one of these ideas: Playing card games; playing board games (Scattegories, Clue, Scrabble, etc.); participating in outdoor games --soccer, tennis, basketball); going to a play or musical; attending sporting events; going to a local college and attending some of their on campus activities; bowling; or even pool.
Don't Go To Movie On First Date
Movies are GREAT. You sit in the dark, eat popcorn and are transported to new worlds. But if you talk during the movie, you can get kicked out of the theatre. So during your first few dates, you might want to give movies a pass. First dates are about getting to know each other...and that requires some serious conversation. Movies don't allow it, and sitting in the movie with a first date just delays the process further. If you go out to dinner, play miniature golf, go bowling, etc., you'll be able to talk to your date and get to know them a little better. Plus, you won't eat all that popcorn...
The Halo Effect
Is the halo effect affecting your dating decisions? The halo effect is a person's tendency to let first impressions influence any subsequent judgments he or she makes about a person. For example, you may unconsciously assume that a physically attractive person possesses other positive qualities (kindness, intelligence, sense of humor) whether he does nor not. In the end, you should ask yourself whether the halo effect is affecting the way they see the person they are dating.
Important First Impressions
How do you get a second date? By having a successful first date! But how do you know if the first date went well? Most people claim that they aren't really themselves on a first date, but there are still some signs that are real. Some signs of a good date include feelings of attraction; wanting to get to know a person better; feeling their kindness; being able to talk with each other; and being at ease with each other. If you have these impressions after a date, it went well, and a second date is most likely.
Dating Tips; Googling your date
Don't pretend like you haven't tried it before; we've all Googled people in our lives. So why shouldn't you Google a person that you're going to date? There are arguments both for and against. Yes, Google is an excellent way of gathering information quickly about a person, but you have to remember that it is information provided out of context. Try this simple test: Google yourself. Now look at the information Google provides about you and ask, “Does this really represent me?” Chances are, Google just gives you just a few details that express very little about who you really are. This is the kind of information Google will give you about a potential date. It may be nice for a little background, but it provides a very incomplete picture.
Making the Best of A Bad Situation
We've all had 'em: dates that are off-the-charts miserable. They begin badly. They continue badly. They end badly. How do you endure them? And how do you overcome them? The best thing to remember is that a bad date only lasts a few hours; it'll be over soon. Try to handle it gracefully without hurting the other person's feelings. Remember, you don't have to go out on another date. And chances are, you'll get an incredible story out of all that pain.
Not So Blind After All
While blind dates are usually with someone you don't know, there are some things you can do to give the evening a better chance of success. First, make sure that the person setting you up knows what you like in a date! It sounds simple, but good-intentioned matchmakers often impose their own standards on their unsuspecting friends. Second, find out as much information about your date as possible before hand so you can avoid being 'blind-sided' by the unexpected. And finally, go with another couple or a group of friends. If things go well, you can have your official 'first date' the next time around.
Keeping A Conversation Going
The idea of conversation with a blind date may seem daunting, but in reality, it's one of the best opportunities for true conversation! Think about it -- in front of you sits a person who you have never met before AND who you know very little about. You can start the conversation with the most basic questions -- Where are you from? What do you do for work? Do you have siblings? Do you have pets? What sports do you like to watch or play? The topics are endless. And once you have a topic 'in play,' the best way to keep the conversation going is to listen to the other person and probe further or playback the information you are hearing. Once you get started, it will become less like work and more like fun!
Ice Blocking
Have you ever been ice blocking? If not, you have missed out. Ice blocking is a great date activity! Here is what you do. First, find a grass hill with a good slope. Buy a couple of ice blocks and a towel to keep your rear end from getting wet. Finally, take your ice block to the top of the hill and sit down on the ice with the towel between you and the ice. Hold on to the towel and off you go! For extra fun you can race down the hill or go in teams. This is especially fun to do if you have three or four couples. The guys can race, the girls can race, or you and your date can race the other couples. This is a great date in the middle of the summer. Have fun!
