By Jennifer Angel

First impressions. This is when you’re on best behaviour! But do try to be yourself; otherwise your date will get a false impression of whom you really are. To care to look your best because first impressions really do count. You can tell a lot about a person from their appearance, and how they act. It’s those subtle non-verbal clues that a date will pick up on straight away and use to form an opinion before they even get to meet you. It’s not just the way you dress, it’s the way you walk, look at him/her, the manner in which you address others, how graceful you are or aren’t. Nothing is right or wrong here, what’s important is showing your date the real “you”. However, do be aware that there are many levels of communication, which come into paly that make up someone’s opinion even before they meet you.

Your personal presentation. Dress to impress, however, do dress appropriately for the outing or event. If it’s a casual affair, then dress causally, don’t over do it with your new glitter top and lots of jewelry, with splashes of aftershave or perfume - you will look (or smell) over done and silly.

Where to go? If asked where you would like to go then pick somewhere you can talk to get to know each other. For instance, sitting in the cinema watching a movie may not be the best choice. Chatting is frowned upon! But I guess you can hold hands and that’s another powerful form of communication.

If you’re choosing a restaurant, it’s a good idea to choose something casual that’s not too expensive, especially if you’re unsure of who’s paying the bill. There’s no hard and fast rule of who pays the bill, however it may be advantages for you to split the bill or to at least ask to contribute. Remember, if you split the bill it keeps everything on an equal level of control and on a first date this may be advantageous. After all, you don’t even know each other that well, and you’re not even sure if there’s going to be a second date!

What to eat? When you’re at the restaurant be careful with the choices you make when ordering from the menu or buffet. You don’t want to eat anything that’s too difficult and you have no time left to talk. Changes are, he/she will ask you something right when your mouth full. So, spaghetti is out, far too messy. Also, so are things like ribs or bouillabaisse, far too consuming and not very elegant. Order meals that can be eaten quickly if you’re asked a question, not like a big steak, which takes ages to chew every mouthful. Try something that’s a little more delicate, perhaps a salad and fish or even rice dishes that are much easier and less difficult to eat.

What to chat about? Be prepared with things to chat about on a first date. Think of questions you can ask him/her but nothing to deep or probing. Try to stay with items of general interest. Read the newspaper, and see what the latest headlines are about. You can even buy a guy/gal magazine, (not a girlie magazine) to see what’s in that’s of interest. Other than that, you can talk about his/her interests, work, food, restaurants, holidays, and those types of general interest areas. Hopefully, you will have an ease of being together and the conversation will flow without too much trouble. But at least if you do some preparation then you wont be stuck for something to say and have to sit though those awful silences if things aren’t going as well as you’d hoped. It pays to be prepared, otherwise it could be an awfully long dinner or outing!

The end of the night/date. Ok, now what do you do? Well, if it didn’t go as well as you would have liked, you can say something like, “you would like to be just friends” or if he/she persists on seeing you again, you can say, “you’re not sure of your schedule” and get his/her number. If he/she wants to kiss you goodnight then make sure it’s a kiss on the cheek otherwise you’ll only encourage him/her, so be careful here that you don’t give them the wrong impression or mixed messages. If you’re not sure if you want to see him/her again, then make another date to get to know them better. Or, if it was fantastic….. and it was everything that you ever dreamed of and more, your prince/princess and you definitely want to see him/her again. If this is the case, you can be flirtatiousness at the end of the night, and go for the full on kiss on the lips. But don’t go further if you don’t intend to go further. Being flirtatious and teasing are two different things - make sure you know the difference.

Previous Articles:

• Relationship Introduction

• Relationship Attentiveness

• Relationship Secret Weapon

• Relationship Confidence

• Is it time to make a Commitment?

• More FABULOUS FLIRTING tips

• Love Dissolutions!

• DATING - STAGE TWO - IS IT TIME TO GET COMFORTABLE?

• DATING - STAGE ONE - The Curiosity Stage

• POWER WOMEN WHO LOVE NURTURING MEN

• Flirting Body Language

• What’s Next – Sex or Romance?

• A Smile Lights Up Your Face

• Are You Being Heard?

• Beauty Inside Out

• CONTROL FREAKS – Are you the Slave or the Master?

• Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder!

• Make Every Date a ROMANTIC RENDEZVOUS!

• Is it Love, Lust or Loneliness

• Beyond Infatuation

• Spring Clean your Dating Gene

• Playing The Game of Love

• How compatible are you socially?

• Laughing Matters

• Positive Outcomes of Relationship Conflict

• Friends with your Lover