How to Avoid the Awkwardness on a First Date?

How to Avoid the Awkwardness on a First Date

All of us have gone through this at some stage of our life. Anyone who has ever been on a first date knows that this is probably one of the most stressful events that could be experienced. You are trying to be on your best behavior, wearing clothes you do not normally wear, and try to second guess body language, subtle hints, as well as gestures. You worry about your choice of restaurant, whether or not you should greet each other with a handshake or a kiss, and whether you should end the date with a kiss or not, or shall talk about sex...You wonder how to get out of the date if it is clear early on that the chemistry is just not there. There are so many things that can – and will - go wrong on a first date..

Do not worry! Simply follow these easy steps to avoid the awkwardness on a first date, you should be fone.

Before you actually meet up, why not have some telephone conversations and get to know each other a little bit first? Get to know the other person over the telephone and build a good rapport. This works especially well if you have been “hooked up” with this person as a blind date. By having casual conversations about the silliness of blind dating, about likes and dislikes in general, and perhaps some forays into current events, you will be able to find out early on what the other person is like, and vice versa. Explore common interests in the phone conversation without face to face, you are prepared for the date, this will help you to be at ease when you actually meet face to face.

Be inquisitive, but do not play “20 questions.” A first date is in many ways a process of elimination to see if there will be a second date forthcoming. Think long and hard about what is important in a mate to you. So rather than grilling your date on work history, income, size of the bank account, and family matters, simply ask the questions you need answered before even considering a second date. Perhaps you would like to date someone with a great sense of humor; so go ahead and ask what will make the other person laugh.

Before you know it, you might be embarking on a great conversation of comedy shows you both like, comedians you adore, and routines you find wonderful. If humor is not the important issue, perhaps it is exercise; you might wish to have a mate who will also be your exercise buddy. You may want to ask what your date likes to do in ways of exercise, and before you know it, you might be discussing different gyms, exercise routines, and cool down procedures. This will not only break the ice but also find some common ground that is important to you.

Dress comfortably. If you never wear stiletto heels, then the first date is not the place for them. Similarly, if you are not the suit and tie kind of guy, do not start it on the first date. Your clothes should be presentable and clean, but at the same time comfortable. Do not wear something that is three sizes too small – you are not fooling anyone and you will not be able to hold your breath and suck in your stomach for an entire evening. If you feel comfortable in your skin and clothes, you will be able to focus on your date, rather than on shallow breathing.

One tip for the ladies: more is more. Do not feel that you need to “let it all show” to get to a second date. If you dress in a way that leaves little to the imagination, do not be surprised if your male counterpart is ogling you the whole time, not wondering how to get to know you better, but instead wondering if you are “easy.”

If you are really nervous, suggest a double date, and bring your best friend and date along. This will help conversation flow more freely and it will also add safety, especially if you do not know your date very well. It is important, however, that the ladies do not pair off giggling and whispering, or the gentlemen suddenly pair off and get lost in football talk. As long as everyone on the date remembers that the goal is for those dating to get to know each other, this is a wonderful idea!