Making a great first impression
… is the key to ensuring that your phone number is committed to memory for a second date and not tossed in the recycle bin. These tips will help secure your invitation to their weekend plans and keep you on their mind for weeks to come.
- Compliment your date
- Give them your undivided attention
- Dress nicely and practice good hygiene
- A little flirting never hurts
- Be polite & respectful
- Be financially prepared
- Keep the skeletons in the closet
- Keep sex out of the equation
- Create a unique dating experience
- Just be yourself
- Practice good manners
Take the time to check out their outfit, hairstyle, cologne/perfume, and other physical attributes that they took special time to accentuate for your viewing pleasure. Praising their efforts to look good for your date goes a long way in earning you brownie points. Flattery will get you everywhere!
Turn off that cell phone and place your focus where it needs to be: on your date. You may be nervous but now is not the time to avoid their gaze, check out other people and allow frowns to settle on your face. It will give off the impression that you are uninterested and not having a good time. Remember, they were interested enough to either accept a date with you or ask you out to see if there is a deeper connection. So, relax, smile and focus your attention on getting to know them. Find common ground by asking questions about their interests and telling them more about yours. Most importantly, don’t be a chat hog and remember to balance listening and sharing information.
Bad breath and an unkempt appearance is a surefire way to start off on the wrong foot. So, now’s the time to get a nice haircut, new outfit, shave, wear cologne/perfume, use mouthwash and keep breath mints on hand. Remember this is a first date so it’s important to show your date that you are appreciative that they are giving you an evening of their company by looking your absolute best. You will never get a second chance to make an awesome first impression so make it count.
Holding their hand, a kiss on the cheek, sharing an appetizer or dessert will help break the ice and create more intimacy without being too forward.
Don’t cuss, patronize, insult, be rude or tell any types of inappropriate jokes. Whether these are directed at your date, a member of a service staff or another ethnic group, it will not only make you look ignorant, intolerant and disrespectful of other people but possibly cost you a future with the person you are getting to know. There is a lot to be said about a person who shows kindness and respect to everyone around them so make the right impression by being considerate of their feelings.
If you are a guy who asked a girl out on a date, make sure that you have enough money to cover not only the entire date’s activities but at least a 15% tip should you be dining out. No girl wants to go out with a guy who is too cheap to pay the wait staff what they are entitled to for good service. If you are a girl who asked a guy out, most guys will want to pay for the entire date but be prepared should you have a date that wants to go dutch.
That’s right. Now’s not the time to complain about previous relationships that have gone badly, financial or family problems, or even about the emotional baggage you may be carrying. Instead, focus on the positive in your life and what you do have going for you. Discuss your dreams or aspirations. Telling them about anything negative may scare them off before they have time to get to know you better. And, frankly, there will be plenty of time on future dates to find out about the rest of your and their histories.
The first date is not the right time to be having huge hook up sessions that lead to sex. First of all, you don’t know what STDs they may be carrying and secondly, most people will assume that you sleep with everyone if you are willing to do that with them so early on. So, hold off on that sexual healing for at least a few weeks to see if they are there for the right reasons: a relationship or one night stand. Help yourself not do something you’ll regret by not drinking on the first date either.
Everyone goes out to dinner and a movie so why not impress your date by doing something different? Find out what their interests are and run with it. Take a one night cooking class together, a hiking day trip, a salsa lesson, check out a museum exhibit, a music concert, a cultural festival or even a pottery class. Any activity that allows more interaction and something to talk about. Want more dating ideas? Head over here for sweet inspiration!
What’s on the majority of men and women’s top 10 list for what makes their date most attractive? Self-confidence and not being afraid to just be yourself. Let your true personality just shine through by spotlighting your wit, funny side or intelligence. Everyone loves a good laugh and to be entertained so let your date see what makes everyone in your circle of friends adore being in your presence so much.
Open doors, pull out chairs and thank your date for a wonderful time. Don’t forget to express interest in getting together sometime soon. If your date is receptive, they will either ask you out again right then and there or contact you within a few days with an invitation for a future event.
No matter what, keep a sense of humor and don’t take the date too seriously. Remember, it’s about letting them get to know what makes you so terrific, and in turn spending time seeing if you are compatible for future dates. If s/he doesn’t dig your quirky personality, move on to date contender #2. No one is worth changing who you are so don’t pretend to be something or someone that you are not. When you don’t create expectations on the first date and just focus on having a good time, you’ll allow yourself to relax and enjoy your partner’s company. And, at the end of the day, it’s all about having fun and seeing who’s the right fit for you.
Happy dating!
xo Zuri
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