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Great First Date
Linda Rains
Few things in life can be so intimidating as a first date —
especially when going in blindly, with only a few exchanged
emails or telephone calls. Without a little careful planning,
the tension of a first meeting can cause a potentially
compatible couple to spontaneously combust in twenty minutes or
less. Think about it. You’d never enter a job interview without
a little preparation and |
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1.Make your approach.
Swap at least a couple photos before making plans to meet.
Because you’ve got plenty of stress ahead for the evening, why
worry about approaching the wrong person or missing your date
entirely? It’s no shock that most people choose their best shot
for a profile and may look slightly different offline. Be
prepared for two problems that may arise: Mistaken preliminary
attraction and many awkward moments spent scanning the faces of
complete strangers. Before you go, make sure you know your
date’s true identity. Give details on how to find each other,
reveal your clothing plans, top your duds with a bright tie or
scarf.
2.Talk to me.
You’ve set aside time to spend with a relative stranger, so how
do you plan to spend it? Talk! Regardless of whether or not the
attraction translates from online to off, be friendly, be
attentive and be inquisitive. Arm yourself with tons of
questions about career, hobbies, family and interests. When your
date reciprocates with a query of his or her own, go out of your
way to avoid one-word responses. Don’t be shy; don’t hold back.
You’re there to learn about one another, so open up and start
talking.
3.Get down to business.
If you’re the type to typically clam up in the face of potential
love, I highly suggest you partake in what I dub the
“distraction date.” At all costs, avoid dinner and drinks. Stay
away from coffee shops, and go nowhere near a quiet park. Save
these venues for later dates when you’ve regained your talent
for talk. Instead, try something sporty like miniature or
Frisbee golf, batting cages or bicycling. If not a jock, try a
course in dancing, pottery painting or a trip to the museum.
Keep busy, and your date will never know you’re at a loss for
words.
4.Focus on the finale.
The parting moment can be nearly as perplexing as the initial
meeting. So many thoughts are bound to overwhelm: Is my date
attracted? Did I ramble on too much about work? Was my comment
about current events completely asinine? Push these worries
aside for the moment and simply relax while saying goodbye.
Because more than likely, your date’s got a few self-imposed
bothersome thoughts too.
If all went well and no blood was shed, express your interest
and be genuine about future intentions. I’d opt to avoid the
first-date kiss. Instead, if the vibe’s right, go for a quick
hug. |
