Make Sure It Is In Fact A Date

These days it has become confusingly common practice to just “hang out” with someone. This ambiguous and muddling invite will probably cause you to get all dressed up, go out with someone, and spend the whole evening with the added anxiety of not being sure if this date is really a date. Ambiguity sucks, so if you’re the one doing the asking just make it clear that it’s a date. If you’re on the asked side of the equation, trust me, the ten seconds of embarrassment for the misunderstanding are so much better than an entire night’s worth of confusion. Not to mention if you hug warmly at the end, that will earn you another week of frustration.

So, now that you are both sure you are actually on a date:

Pick Somewhere Nonthreatening & Inexpensive

Try and pick a quiet bar, or an out of the way coffee shop. Some place without loud music so you can actually hear each other, thus speeding along the getting to know each other portion of the evening. Also, don’t go to your favorite coffee house — you know the one where all your friends hang out, because there is nothing that spoils the mood more than having to prematurely introduce your date to everyone you know. Lastly, dating is expensive (especially if you’re doing a lot of it), so maybe stick to one beer or cup of coffee.

Make Your Own Way There

Awkward car chatter is THE worst! But more importantly, if the date goes bad you really don’t want to have another thirty minutes of it. Plus, it may end up snubbing your escape plan if they turn out to be completely insane or you know, there just isn’t any chemistry. Moreover, if you just met this person on OK Cupid (or some other website of your choice), you may not want them to know just yet where you live.

Dress to Impress (But Don’t Go Overboard)

Shower, shave, put on some clean clothes. Look like you made an effort, because it shows the other person that you not only know how to use the shower, but that you cared enough about the meeting to make a little effort.

Keep the Conversation Light

Stay away from conversation icebergs like politics, dead relatives, exes, career malfunctions, childhood traumas, and so on… Just spend the time getting to know the person sitting in front of you, but don’t over do it. Leave some mystery for next time. Think of coffee as a setup for a second date. Just get enough basic info and a feel for them to see if you would like to see them again.

This isn’t an interview or a talk show, you both should get an equal amount of time to talk, and listening to what they have to say is also a good idea (for future reference of course).

Keep Your Cool

There is nothing worse than sitting in front of someone speechless, awkward and flustered (not to mention pit-stains), so get it together. Down a shot of vodka, call your mum, or do some yoga! Just find a way to relax before the date. Go some place you will feel comfy — have the date on your terms! Pick a coffee shop that you like, or a bar that serves your favorite comfort cocktail. Just don’t over think it, you’re either going to like each other and hit it off, or never want to see each other again out of sheer awkwardness.

Watch Out For Deal-breakers

There really is no way of being politically correct about this. We all have a list in our heads of things we won’t put up with NO MATTER WHAT. So, even if this person is really lovely, but you know that you’ll never ever date a cat owner again (because you are deathly allergic, and that one trip to the ER was enough) then maybe it’s a good idea to end the evening as friends.

Don’t Overwhelm Them

First dates should be casual. Casual dress, casual location, casual conversation. Try and keep your skeletons locked up for the evening. You probably don’t even know this person, and you haven’t even decided if you’ll ever see them again, so maybe save the heavier stuff for a little bit further down the line.

The Person Doing The Asking Is Doing The Paying

I am of the school of thought that a date is no different from a business lunch or dinner with your parents. Whoever invited the other person to go out should pick up the tab — it’s only polite. Moreover, if you only had coffee it shouldn’t cost more than a few dollars so don’t try and get all philosophical about the tab, just pay it. Also, if you are paying it, do it smoothly and gracefully, refrain from awkward comments and remarks and just give your date the feeling that it was your pleasure to treat them.

Initiate Contact

Look, first dates are confusing enough and no one is quite sure where they stand. Kissing your date goodnight just lets them know you’re interested (plus, it may affect your decision if they use too much saliva or tongue).