First dates can be nerve-wracking. Even if you’ve been talking to someone for a while online or on social media, meeting them in person for the first time can still feel intimidating and scary. You want to make a good impression so that there will be chances of seeing them again.
However, dating can be a tricky game where even the slightest slip-up could reveal more about you than you want your date to know. Remember not to overthink things and stay calm. Here are 11 things you should never do in a first date:
Don’t Be Late
No matter how much you’re looking forward to going on this date, don’t be late. Being late shows that you are disorganized, disrespectful, and unapologetic. The only reason you would ever be late for a date is if there’s an extreme emergency or you have to make a huge mistake. If you know you’re going to be late, at least apologize and let your date know the reason why you’re running behind.
If you’re late for a date, there’s a high chance that your date will think less of you. You don’t want to come off as careless or inconsiderate. You have no idea how your date is feeling at that moment. Perhaps your date is nervous about meeting you for the first time. If you show up late, you’ll only make them feel worse.
Don’t Over-Prepare
Don’t over-prepare for the date. Going on a date is a little bit like an interview. You want to make a good impression on your date and show that you’re worthy of going on another date. But at the same time, you don’t want to come off as trying too hard or as if you’re desperate. Don’t try so hard to impress your date that you come off as manipulative. There’s no need to show off or brag about your accomplishments.
Also, try not to talk about your long-term goals or future aspirations. Dates are about the present, not the future. If you’re a little nervous about the date, try to stay calm and don’t rush through the conversation. Stay in the present and try not to overthink things. If you over-prepare for the date and try too hard to impress your date, it might actually have the opposite effect. It’ll make you come off as fake and weird.
Don’t Talk About Exes
There are a few topics that you should avoid during the course of the date. One of those topics is your ex. No one likes to hear about the person you were with before them. It’s a surefire way to make them feel insecure. It’s also very disrespectful to your date. Talking about your ex means you’re not over them. If you’re going on a date to try to forget about your ex, don’t talk about them.
Don’t bring up things like how your ex broke up with you or how your ex did something that upset you. If you’re asked about your past relationships, try to keep the conversation as general as possible. You don’t have to lie about your past relationships, but you don’t have to go into extreme detail either.
Don’t Drink Too Much
Don’t drink too much on a first date. If you’re dating someone who you’re hoping will become your significant other, you don’t want to come across as someone who drinks a lot or who is unapologetic about their drinking. Don’t drink excessively when you’re dating someone new. It’s fine to have one or two drinks if your date is also drinking. But if your date is sipping on water while you’re getting drunk, you’ll come off as inconsiderate.
You don’t need to be drunk to have a good time on a date. Even if you’re not a huge drinker, you can still have fun without alcohol. Stay away from alcohol if you don’t normally drink. Even if you’re not a big drinker, you don’t want to drink too much on a date. It’ll only make you more uncoordinated, and careless, and it’ll lower your defenses.
Don’t Brag
Don’t brag about yourself too much during the course of the date. You don’t want to come off as bragging about yourself. Don’t brag about your accomplishments, job title, how much money you make, or even how many people are interested in dating you. Don’t say things like “The last girl I went on a date with was really gorgeous.” or “I date a lot of girls.”
Even if you’re not bragging, your date might perceive it as bragging. Don’t brag about your online dating profile either. Even if you get a lot of messages, don’t go around telling people about them. It’s okay to mention that you’re getting a lot of messages, but don’t go into extreme detail about them.
Don’t Ask for a Commitment Right Away
Don’t ask for a commitment right away. If you’re on a date with someone you don’t know very well, try not to pressure them into committing to you. Don’t ask them to be your boyfriend/girlfriend, go out with you exclusively, or move in with you. Those are huge commitments.
You don’t know this person well enough to ask them to make those kinds of sacrifices. Don’t ask them to sign a contract either. If you’re into BDSM, don’t ask someone on a date to sign a contract that binds them to you in any way. Don’t go around asking other people to be your partner in business.
If you’re on a date with someone who has a job in the same industry as you, don’t ask them to partner up with you. Don’t pressure your date into committing to you too quickly. It’s okay to take things slow. If you feel like there’s a connection between you and your date, you’ll know when the time is right.
DON’T Badmouth Other People, Especially Your Date’s Friends Or Family Members
No matter how much you dislike someone, don’t go around badmouthing them. If you’re on a first date with someone and you start badmouthing other people, it makes you look bad. It shows that you’re unapologetic and that you don’t care about other people’s feelings. Don’t go around bashing your date’s friends or family members either. Even if they’re not very nice to you, try not to go around bashing your date’s friends or family members.
It’ll only make your date feel more distant from you. Don’t badmouth celebrities either. You don’t know the full story behind everything that’s going on in their life. What if the reason why they’re acting the way they are is that they’re going through something really difficult in their life? Don’t go around bashing celebrities just for the sake of it.
DON’T Touch and Grab Without Permission
Don’t touch or grab your date without permission. Even if you’re dating someone, it’s important to respect their personal space. You don’t know if your date is okay with being physically intimate. You don’t know if your date is okay with you putting your arm around them.
Don’t try to kiss your date before they’re ready. If you want to kiss your date, just let them know you want to. Don’t try to kiss them without their permission. Not only do you look desperate, but you also look like you don’t respect your date’s boundaries. Don’t go around hugging your
