First dates can make you a blubbering mess. You meet a guy or a girl via social media or a dating app, and things click. And while talking over the phone, texting is all great. And that’s where you can be smoother than butter. The real test is how you act on your first date. The pandemic has probably hit the breaks when it comes to your love life. And that’s when you moved to dating apps like Bumble, Hinge and Tinder. Connecting via dating apps was probably great, there was no rush, and the chats were meaningful. And honestly, those conversations help build your relationship. But now it’s time to move on and get on the next level. It’s time to have your first date. And this can be virtually or physically, that’s up to you.
While virtually is a safer option, you might want to consider meeting in person. Of course, after taking all the necessary steps to stay safe. Meeting in person gives you an impression of how your date is in public settings. The way he/she treats their staff, public manners, how they talk and so on shows their character. And that’s why, as scary a first date is, it is also important. And if your date is someone you feel comfortable with, and think will last for long, put on your best shoes and make sure to create an impression that will last! To help you, here are some pointers to get through the first greeting to the last hug.
10 Dos & Don’ts To Prepare Yourself For Dating
| Dos | Don’ts |
| Trust your instincts, they are almost always right. | Get clingy and overly attached too much, too soon. |
| Have an open mind and give yourself some time to find the right one. | Disclose your personal information until you’re sure you can trust the person. |
| Be honest and let the other person know if they don’t match your expectations. | Ignore a great guy because of the vast number of options. |
| Take rejection in your stride. Understand that it’s not you, it’s just not a good match. | Assume that every guy is a creep. If you’re offended by something, point it out and allow them to explain themselves. |
| Add recent photos without filters. Misrepresentation is unfair. | Be charmed by cheesy pickup lines. Learn to filter out the players. |
5 First Date Etiquettes To Follow
1. Be On Time
Don’t keep your date waiting. That’s just rude. If you state a time, remember to respect the other person by showing up on time. When people wait too long they immediately go into “OMG. I’ve been stood up” mode. That’s not fun for anyone. If you’re running more than 10 minutes late, be sure to text and keep them posted.
2. Keep Your Phone Away & Talk!
First dates can be so awkward. And you will find that silence awkward, so just address and laugh about it. That could be an ice-breaker. And just because things are silent, doesn’t mean you take out your phone and text away. Keep your phone away, make sure your date knows that they have your full attention. Listen to what they are saying and reply with appropriate questions, keep the conversation going. When one person is just going on and on, and there’s no feedback on the other end, things can go south fast. And if you are into him/her, maybe make a little eye contact. Eye contact is a way to say that you are really interested.
3. Don’t Judge & State What You Want
Judging is totally normal, but judging to a point where you’re not even giving your date a chance, that’s being mean. It’s important to stick to your standards, but it’s also important to have an open mind. Also, the first date is the place to bring up what your expectations are for the future. If you’re hoping to find true love and they’re looking to just hook up, you need to know early on so you can bail if you need to. Put everything out on the open- expectations and realities. If you both are on the same page, then you can smoothly move ahead.
4. Don’t Bring Up An Ex
This is a golden rule for any date, never bring up the ex. Maybe if they ask and you want to get it out of the way, then cool. Briefly talk and be done about your ex. But don’t dwell on them. And also talk about them in a respectful manner, do not insult them. The same goes with your date, if they talk about their ex, just smile and make a mental note. If they talk poorly about their ex, then don’t accept that second date. This date is about a new beginning, and there’s plenty of time to rehash your past if you get involved.
5. Greetings & Goodbyes
Any first date is awkward. Like how do you start, with a hug or a handshake? Well, do what your date is comfortable with. Sometimes people do not like to be hugged by people they don’t know. So respect that! A handshake is fine. You must also know that first greetings and goodbyes don’t have a specific code or rule. So if you want and have the consent, go in for a kiss too! The whole idea is to do what’s comfortable for you and your date.
First dates are definitely scary, but if you know the other person your time would just flow. You will have fun. Don’t pressurise yourself. Remember to trust your instincts. If you feel the date is going bad, be honest, get up and leave. If you feel unsafe, share your live location with your friends. It’s your life, your valuable time, and you have a couch and sweatpants waiting for you at home. That’s the ultimate rule you should follow — for yourself, and for them.