I recently experienced the misfortune of going on a first date with someone who wasn’t planning on making an effort at all—until I called him out on it. You may wonder why I even decided to continue with the plan, considering that it takes two people to make it work and leave a lasting impression.
Truth is, I believe everyone deserves a second chance, which is exactly what I did. It didn’t end well, and previous experiences have taught me to listen to my gut. Nonetheless, I gave it a second go, and I don’t regret it. I found out what I needed to in order to refrain from going on a second date.
However, if you are looking for the perfect first date, whether you want to receive or replicate it, have a look at the following 10 first date tips to make it memorable. Never underestimate the importance of a good first date. It can give you the opportunity to marry the love of your life or miss a great opportunity.
1. Smell approachable
No one can deny the desire to go on a date with someone who smells nice whether it’s from your end or the person sitting across from you. I’m not saying you have to go out and purchase an expensive bottle of perfume when you’re on a tight budget—perhaps the smell of soap is also suitable—but making an effort to smell fresh is important. It also means that he takes pride in being approachable when you smell the sweet scent of a man coming your way.
2. Brush your teeth
Who knows, you may end up kissing. Or you may find it’s a complete train wreck of a date when you get there. Either way, you want to make sure your breath smells fresh. It takes about 2-minutes to do it, and the impression may last a lifetime – especially if you haven’t made the effort to brush your teeth at all. It’s also a god sign of personal hygiene, and that’s exactly what you should be looking for when choosing a partner.
3. Change into a fresh outfit
Whatever you do, don’t show up to a first date in the same clothes you’ve worn all day. Not only is that lazy and a tell-tale sign of someone who doesn’t care to make an effort, it’s just not very comforting to know that you’ve made the effort to dress nicely in order to make a good first impression, but he decided to go with the flow. It’s alright for when you’ve been on a few dates and you’d like to continue doing so, but not on a first date.
4. Make reservations
A man who makes reservations is a man who’s prepared. Yes, spontaneity is good—especially if that’s what you’re into—but you don’t want to show up at the restaurant only to find out that you should’ve made a reservation. I don’t know about you, but I get “hangry” when I’m hungry, and that’s never a good thing on a first date. It’s absolutely his duty to come prepared and make a reservation if that’s what’s needed.
5. Show up with a gift
This isn’t a must, but it sure makes a girl feel special when your date shows up with a flower or two. It means he really values your time and company. Be very careful of the charmers, though. They will show up with flowers in order to get something in return at the end of the night. However, you can distinguish between those type of men and the ones who genuinely want to give you flowers because you’re special simply by paying attention to where their hands take them.
6. Think outside of the box
Whether you’re setting up the date or someone else is taking the time to do it for you, think long and hard about where you’d like to go. Dinner and a movie become old, and you want to make sure it’s a date to remember, so think outside of the box a little bit before making the final decision or throwing a hint. Sometimes men need a little guidance in that department, so a hint here and there is quite alright.
7. Forget about your ex
Never speak about an ex on a first date. It’s the oldest rule in the book for a reason. There’s a reason why you’re not together anymore, and no man, or woman for that matter, wants to know the details of why it didn’t work out. It’s the fastest way to turn a perfectly good date into a disaster simply by recalling the events of your previous relationship. So, whatever you do, stay away from that particular topic.
8. Consider the other person’s needs
Don’t be selfish on the date. Think about the other person a little bit as this can mean the difference between a memorable date and a date the other person would love to forget. Never take someone who’s afraid of heights to an amusement park. Similarly, if a person is vegan, don’t go to a steak house. It’s as simple as that. Consider the other person’s needs and you’ll do just fine.
9. Ask useful questions
The whole point of a first date is to find out who the person is. You need to find out about future plans and immediate dreams, family-related queries and possible red flags. You can’t find that out by asking simple questions such as, “What’s your favorite color?” It’s better to think of really good questions to ask a guy, which are usually open-ended questions that give the opportunity to expand the conversation. Always observe their reaction to certain questions as you can tell a lot about a person simply by paying attention to their facial expressions.
10. Be respectful
Always be respectful on a date, whether it’s the first or twenty-first. Ladies, always look for a man who’s respectful of your boundaries and needs—he’s a keeper. Men who want to know if you arrived home safely, walk you to your car or even pick you up for a date are the type of men you should spend your time with. If he doesn’t seem interested in your safety, run!
At the end of the day, all you should really be after is someone who tries to make an effort. This doesn’t mean he needs to show up in a limousine and sweep you off your feet with a dozen roses. It simply means he should make an effort to make you feel special—especially on a first date. It’s a critical time that can either make or break the beginning stages of getting to know someone and ideally, you’re hoping it’s going to go somewhere.
Look for the small things in the way he treats you. Respect goes a long way, and you deserve nothing less than the best!
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