So you've been chatting to a special person on a free dating community like iwillfindyou.love and you're now ready for the next step. To help you make the jump from the dating website to the bar or restaurant, we've put together a list of five essential tips for a first date.
1. Calm Your Nerves
It's natural to feel nervous before a first date. You've probably been chatting on a dating website for a while, and so you will want everything to go smoothly. The best preparation for a first date is to do whatever it is that relaxes you.
This could be:
- An hour spent running on the treadmill
- A quick treatment at your local beauty salon
- A walk around the local park
- Meditation or deep breathing exercises
- Listening to your favorite music
However you distract yourself, it will help you to relax and enjoy yourself on the date.
2. Be Prepared
As with most things in life, good preparation is important if you want to make the most of your first date. If you have been chatting online, go back through some of the details they've listed on their dating website profile.
Of course you'll probably already know what you like about your date. But by revisiting a few of their interests or making a mental note of some things you'd like to know more about, you'll have plenty of ammunition to keep the conversation flowing when you meet.
3. Don't Be Late!
This tip can be the most important one – don't be late! Being late isn't necessarily the end of the world. Everyone is late from time to time – either through busy traffic, public transport delays or for any other number of reasons. The important thing is to let your date know when you will be arriving.
An easy way to ruin a first date is to arrive stressed and feeling guilty. So if you do arrive late, apologise to your date and give your excuses then offer to buy them a drink to get things moving.
4. Choose the Right Location
Pick a venue that allows for conversation:
- A quiet café or coffee shop
- A casual restaurant with good ambiance
- A park for a daytime walk
- Avoid movies (you can't talk!)
5. Be Yourself
The most important tip is to be authentic. Don't try to be someone you're not just to impress your date. Genuine connections happen when both people are being themselves.
Remember, the goal is to see if you're compatible, not to win over someone who wouldn't like the real you.