GenerationLove Tips for your first Date

There is no second chance for a first impression when dating.

The first impression counts

In dating, the first impression is crucial. Often, it's the first impression that determines the course of a dating phase. Even if you are going on your second, third or twenty-seventh date, with a new person, it is always a first date. So it might be useful to brush up a little on your dating skills. There is no second chance for a first impression when dating.

You have already done most of the work – you have contacted someone, talked to them on the phone and set up a date when the two of you will meet. So you are actually going on your first date now. You can do much to prepare for your date and to make the date a pleasant one (and hopefully secure a follow-up date). These GenerationLove dating tips are helpful to prepare for the best impression!

Where can you meet

It's important that there's no pressure during the first in-person meeting. So take it easy. A dating platform provides a safe environment for getting to know each other. Women will always appreciate a man who respects their desire for safety, even on a first date. If you only know someone from the internet, make sure that for safety reasons, the first meeting takes place at the woman's location in a public place, such as a restaurant or café. Meeting for lunch is a good option, as it usually lasts one to two hours. There's no obligation to spend the entire time together if either person feels uncomfortable. But if everything goes well and you want to spend more time together, you can easily plan further activities.

If you choose to go out for dinner, make sure the restaurant you pick will not dim the lights and soften the music if you did not plan the date to be a romantic one.

Prepare your date ahead of time

Silence makes many people feel uneasy but you can avoid most of the awkwardness by doing a little preparation. Why not read a one or two newspapers to brush-up on celebrity gossip and current affairs? This will give you plenty of material to keep a conversation going comfortably.

To prepare for your date, it may be helpful to jot down four or five interesting topics and keep them handy. Most probably, you will find that you do not need them; just knowing that they're there is enough to give you confidence.

The beginning can be the most difficult part of all. Jot down two or three things you could say at the start of your conversation, possible an ice-breaking joke (make sure it is not derisive to the person you are meeting, their culture or someone they like), or something funny about how you got to the meeting site. It may even be useful to prepare a beginning, middle and end for the conversation on your first date.

Suggestions for a First Date Conversation

Introductory Conversation

You could ask them a question about the menu, foods or wine they like or their work and if they enjoy it.

• What would you like to drink?
• Do you fancy wine with your meal?
• Is there anything on the menu you have never had before and would be curious to try?
• Where do you live? Did it take you long to get here?
• What kind of work do you do? Do you like your job?

Getting to Know Your Date Better

Why not ask a question about favorite pastimes, travel or anything they've mentioned previously that could be expanded on:

• Do you have hobbies?
• Do you like to travel? Where do you like to visit?
• Are you going on a holiday this year?
• Which place would you most like to go to? What makes this place so interesting for you?

And for Dessert...

If you are still interested in the person you met, now is your time to secure a follow-up date. An opportune question to ask is:
What was the last movie you have been to? Anything on at the moment you would like to see? (No matter if you have seen it already, just say: "Oh I'd love to go to that"). If your date is interested, they may say something like: "Incidentally, I was planning to go and see it next week. You are welcome to join me."
Never mind if you do not like the movie they picked. The fact is you have secured a second date and when next week comes you can always say "I'm not in a cinema mood. How would you like going for a drink instead?"

Five tips for success

1. Prepare for your date: have a few conversation topics and questions handy.
2. Listen to your date with authentic and real interest.
3. Engage your date with questions - talk about the food, the people, anything that might get light conversation going.
4. Keep in mind that you are a salesman selling yourself on the first date – be positive!
5. You have worked hard to go on this date with this person, so think happy and enjoy yourself!

Now stop reading and give your new dating skills a test!