7 Tips for Leaving a Positive First Date Impression

It may have taken you six months to finally land your first date, but unless you are careful, it could be your last. With first date nerves working overtime, it’s very easy to jeopardize your chances of a second date, often without realizing it. Here are 7 tips to ensure this doesn’t happen to you, and that you leave a positive first date impression.

#1. Choose the Location Wiselyr
Try to pick somewhere that you know your date will like, and with a menu that offers a selection of meat and vegetarian dishes. Your favorite dish might be roasted hog, but it doesn’t mean that it’s theirs.

Often a quick drink in a quiet bar or café can be a great idea. The benefit to keeping the first date short is that if you don’t like each other, you won’t have to sit through a six-course meal together, nor will you have to pay for it. If you do click, then you can easily extend the date, or plan something longer for next time. Finding out about one another in small bites - is also a lot more appetizing.

Do try to avoid noisy places where you will struggle to hear each other. Cinema is always a first date killer, as are sporting events unless you know for a fact that they are interested. Your home is not an ideal location and can be risky if you don’t know them so well.

#2. Make an Effort and Keep Your Manners in Checkr
It’s important to make an effort with your appearance – but don’t go overboard and leave your date in a position where they can’t recognise you. Try to dress for the location, a posh restaurant will require different attire to a coffee shop.

Making an effort shows that you truly care, and that you want to make a good impression. Bad personal hygiene, unwashed clothes and a mountain of stubble aren’t likely to lead to a second date.

Bad manners are unattractive, so arrive on time and if you are going to be late, let them know. Keep your phone turned off, and maintain eye contact with your date (not their cleavage or other guests).

And go easy on the alcohol – especially if your behaviour changes for the worst when intoxicated.

First impressions are lasting impressions, so make yours count.

#3. Be Kind and Considerater
After meeting you may discover that you are not attracted to the person, but that’s no excuse to be unkind and inconsiderate. Kindness will not cost you anything, and it will most definitely make a difference to how the other person feels.

Treat your date as you would like to be treated yourself. And leave a positive impression, even if you will never see that person again.

Being kind also means being honest and not giving out false promises of hope. Don’t say that you will call and look forward to meeting them again, if you have no intention of doing so.

#4. Leave Your Problems at Homer
We all have our own problems, maybe an ex-partner that is driving us up the wall, an addiction to sleeping tablets, an over bearing family member, or a boss that we can’t stand. However, too much emotional baggage early on is never attractive. So no matter how great your need is to talk to someone about your troubles, your first date should remain fun and full of positive energy only.

Treat your first date just like you would treat a first interview. Put your best foot forward and highlight your strongest points, not your weakest.

Of course, if you are directly asked a question like “Have you been married before?” Then give a truthful answer, but leave out the nitty-gritty details.

#5. Be Yourselfr
It’s so very important to be yourself. Let them see the real you and not someone you think they would prefer to see. A first date is the wrong time to be trying out a new persona. You want someone who falls in love with you, not your favorite comedian; someone who likes your good bits, your bad bits and even your odd bits that make you, you.

#6. Allow the Conversation to Flow Both Waysr
Are you a chatterbox? Because if you do all the talking – especially about yourself, you will give the impression that you find yourself more interesting than you do your date.

Everyone loves a good listener, so be sure to open both ears and listen intently to what they have to say.

I’m not trying to suggest that you don’t talk about yourself at all. It’s equally important that the other person has the opportunity to learn about you too. But try to let the conversation flow both ways, listen, learn and respond.

#7. Don’t be Too Quick to Judger
Despite the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover,” many of us still do. But first impressions are often very misleading, so don’t be so quick to judge.

A couple of nervous hours are not nearly enough to get to know someone. With first date jitters often playing havoc with one’s true personality, sometimes the real person will not shine through till after three or four dates.

It once took me ten dates to realize how wonderful someone really was. I’m very glad that I didn’t judge too soon.

Don’t be too picky or rigid about what you are looking for in a partner. If you are too restrictive, and have a check list of “must-haves,” then you risk missing out, and one day may regret it.

Keep an open mind, and try to look past the front cover.