A while back I wrote a blog entry on getting your foot through the door when it comes to meeting people. Continuing with the series, I'd like to discuss some first date pointers and maybe even share some horror stories.Once again, I'm going to attempt a "clever" acronym to remember on first dates.. STRIP.
Ladies & gents, first dates are nerve racking especially when a) you really like the person and hope you can get a second date or at least end the night in bed b) you're on a blind date and have no idea what you're in for or c) made the mistake of allowing said person to pick you up from your place and then realizing you don't have any other way of getting home if the date goes bad. Trust me, my mind has contemplated all of these possibilities before, mainly option C. These may sound silly, but you'd be surprised at how often people forget to consider these things on a date.
- Smile: You guys are both nervous. The date is going badly. You're thinking about your strapless bra that's magically lowering itself on its own. His/her stories about their hobbies suck. Whatever the case, please remember to smile throughout the date!! A smile makes people feel at ease and signals that you're having a good time and enjoying their company. Even if you're not. Unless the date/meeting truly was that bad i.e. right up there with playing chess with Satan, avoid ending the date on a bad note. Who knows when you might run into them again or if you guys share the same of circle of friends, what they'll say about you afterwards.
- Talk: Someone has to keep the conversation going. You really can't expect the other person to carry the conversation because that gets old FAST. A date is about getting to know each other, no matter how trivial the topic may be (what kind of movies do you like? how was your day?), so if it's dead silent or one-sided, then you're not accomplishing the point of a date. I've had dates where the guy and I had diddly squat in common. That's when I racked my brain for the most subjects any guy could relate to.
- Read: Notice what the other person is wearing and monitor their behavior/actions. It's all about reading a person. This comes in handy when thinking about topics to discuss or just realizing if you're going to get that second date or just plain ol' ass. Trust me ladies, the shoes a guy to decides to where on a date REALLY does tell you a lot about him. (New Balance sneakers?? Gross. Brown shoes? Double gross.)
- Intrigue: Ok to be honest I didn't have a real category for this one. BUT I will say it's important to be intriguing and offer the best things about you. You're trying to sell yourself in a short span of 2+ hours to someone. Offer funny jokes, anecdotes, charm, etc.
- Pay the check: This can be tricky. If you're a girl, you're not really expected to pay if the guy's a real gentleman BUT you should always offer to pay. Girls who don't offer to pay or at least reach for the wallet have no class. Guys, it's HIGHLY recommended you pay for the date unless you don't ever want to see the girl again or don't care for the prospect of possible ass. It may sound like a double-standard but this is just how it works in the dating world. Gotta play the game to win the game.
-I'm 5'2. He's 6'4. Awkward.
-I said, "I love being in the outdoors." He said, "Really? I'm not into that granola, hippy stuff." WHAT?!
-After the first date when I told him I didn't think it'd work out, he IM'd me asking if we could be Friends with....... YEAH, NO.
There are more stories but... alas this entry is getting too long. 'Til next time!
