Let’s say you’ve secured a date by asking someone out, by making plans with someone you met on a dating platform, or by consulting a dating agency in Singapore to help you find a match.
Now that you’ve found a potential love interest, the thought of meeting your date face to face may be giving you the jitters. Given that it’ll be your first time to meet this person, it’s understandable to want to put your best foot forward. But too much pressure on yourself to showcase your best qualities can get to you, and your nervousness may make it difficult to enjoy yourself or put your date at ease.
It’s natural to be nervous, but try not to panic. There are a lot of things you can do to psych yourself up and to prepare for a smooth and pleasant first date. Here are five tips to make sure that your first date is a smashing success (and possibly earn you a second date with someone special):
Look Sharp and Wear a Date-Appropriate Outfit
Regardless of where you’ve agreed to meet for your date, you have to make sure that you’re wearing the right outfit. You may look awkward and out of place, for example, if you’re wearing jeans and a T-shirt at a fancy restaurant. To make a great first impression on your date, it would be good for you to do a little research on the location and to plan your outfit around the dress code or the general appearance of other people who’ll be there.
If you want to meet your date at a high-end restaurant or bar, go for smart casual clothing that will help you blend in with the ambience of the place. But if you’re going on a picnic date, opt for a cosier and more easy-going look. When you’re wearing date-appropriate clothes, you’ll feel more comfortable around your date and in your general environment—and that, in turn, will allow you to showcase things like your confidence, charisma, and sense of humour.
Prepare Topics That Spark a Good Conversation
Having pockets of dead silence can make your first date seem dull and eventful. If you and your date have a hard time keeping a conversation going, it will be difficult for sparks to fly. To keep the two of you engaged, it would be a good idea for you to prepare a few conversation starters beforehand. This way, you can get to know your date better and avoid running out of things to talk about.
Topics that can help you connect with your date make great conversation starters. After complimenting your date’s outfit and asking them the usual dating questions, like where they grew up, you can start talking about your hobbies, your favourite music, or your favourite food. If you travel a lot, you and your date can share about your adventures visiting different cities, towns, or countries.
Sharing bits and pieces about yourselves will make it easier for you and your date to find similar interests and passions. When you find common ground, you can enrich the conversation with your respective experiences and make your date more enjoyable as a result.
Remember not to overshare during your first date. Revealing the most intimate parts of your private life can make your date feel uncomfortable or even turn them off entirely. Topics like the ins and outs of your previous dating history are best reserved for when you’re already deep into your relationship with your significant other.
Know When to Listen
It’s easy to get carried away talking about yourself when you’re in deep conversation. That’s why you always need to keep in mind that you should give your date a chance to speak as well. The goal is to get to know your date better, but you can’t do that if you’re hogging up all the airtime. It must feel like you and your date are having an equal exchange, so make sure to pause when your date is about to speak.
When it’s your date’s turn to express themselves, remember to listen. Listening intently to your date shows that you’re interested in them. It also means that you respect and appreciate them for taking the time to meet with you.
Show up on Time
It’s rude to be tardy whether it’s your first, second, or fifth date. If you don’t have a valid reason for being late, your date might think that you aren’t interested enough in them and feel like they’ve been stood up. Punctuality is a big deal because you and your date have taken the time and effort to make this happen, and no one wants to see it go to waste.
It’s in your best interest to arrive at the location at least fifteen minutes before the start of the date. This will give you enough time to freshen up and look presentable after travelling all the way there. If you can’t make it on time due to traffic or a small emergency, give your date a heads-up. Sending them a message is quick and easy, and it’s the least you can do if you can’t be there on time.
Thank Your Date and Check in on Them After
Whether your first date was a success or a bust, it’s still courteous to thank your date for spending time with you. You’ve likely learned a lot about yourself through your first date, and this is an experience that’ll help you improve on your dating journey. It would also be good to check in with your date after your meetup, as this will give the two of you the perfect opportunity to be honest and clear about your feelings after you’ve met up.
If you don’t see yourself moving forward with them, then respectfully tell them that you’re not interested. However, if you think that there’s potential between the two of you, express your attraction and ask if they’re interested in going on a second date.
Your first date shouldn’t make you nervous or cause you to second-guess your ability to find The One. It’s an experience you should enjoy because you’re putting yourself out there to meet someone new and fall in love. Use these tips to make your date go smoothly and increase your chances of finding your perfect match.
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