So, you’re going on a first date, eh? Don’t worry, we’re not going to lecture you on which fork to use for your salad or why it’s important not to talk about your ex the entire time. Instead, these are some etiquette tips taken from the “pet peeves” page of serial daters.
1. Give yourself plenty of time to ensure you don’t arrive late.
If you’ve never been to a particular restaurant or you know it will be rush hour when you try to hail a cab, leave extra early. It’s always better to arrive early for a first date. Firstly, because it shows respect and responsibility. Secondly, it gives you time to check out the menu, freshen up or use the restroom.
2. Turn your phone off.
Unless you’re waiting to hear about your friend who is having surgery, turn your phone off and put it away. You want to give your date your full attention and checking your phone won’t do it. If you DO have an important call or text you have to take, be upfront so your date understands that you’re not trying to be rude.
3. Make eye contact.
Maintaining frequent eye contact lets your date know that you’re polite, even if you’re not really into them. It shows that you’re giving them your full attention for the time you’re together and that you’re listening to what they’re saying.
4. Be honest about what you’re currently looking for in terms of a relationship.
If you just came out of a painful breakup and aren’t looking for anything serious, be honest, but also keep an open mind. You don’t want to scare off the woman of your dreams because the timing is bad and you’ve pre-determined that you’ll be playing the field for six months.
5. Talk about what you enjoy, not what you hate.
If you enjoy waterskiing and watching Netflix, cool. But bashing romantic comedies and emphasizing how much you hate cats may turn off a great woman who is otherwise your perfect match.
6. Offer to pay the bill but be willing to split it.
It may be customary for the male to offer to pay, but many women will insist on paying for their own meal. Don’t argue about it or take it personally. Some women just aren’t comfortable with a first date paying for their portion of the bill.
