So you’ve exchanged a couple of emails which went well, and the awkward first telephone call was fine with a bit of banter and no awkward silences. It’s now time to meet up. You are both anxious and a little bit excited. Good, these are natural emotions. Firstly try and relax a little and put everything into perspective, it’s just a first date, if it works out…great, if not… it’s not the end of the world! The most important thing to remember is to be both you and to project at least a little bit of confidence. Here are a few tips.
If you and your date are both in regular employment which we hope you are, then you can only really meet in the evening after work or at the weekend. We think evenings are best; evenings give the date a framework for time, and ensure that you both know that the date will end within a reasonable amount of time. You are both busy people, and neither of you at this stage want to be spending 6 hours together on a Saturday afternoon too shy to come up with an excuse to end the meeting.
At DateMeister we recommend keeping the first date light and choosing a place where you can talk. So, coffee or a drink in a neighborhood bar - good, cinema – not so good. Fun activities like ten pin bowling or playing pool are best left for the 2nd date, the first date is all about conversation, asking questions and getting to know your date. What about going for a meal? Going for a meal is best left for a later date; after all, if the conversation hits a wall after 20 minutes and they haven’t even delivered your first course, you’re in a bit of trouble.
Reciprocity is the name of the game here, ‘’you travelled there and I travelled there’’, ‘’you like this music and I also like this music’’ etc. Be interesting (but natural) and be interested. Listening is good but don’t be sponge, especially if you like your date. It could give her the thought that she learnt absolutely nothing about you. Try and keep the conversation light even if Sartre is normally light reading for you.
Keep these tips at the back of your mind, and just go out there and try to have some fun, you’re just meeting another human being who even if it doesn’t lead anywhere you will probably learn at least something about life you didn’t know before.