You’ve connected with someone and you’re really excited because she has said yes to the first date.
Terrific, you have made it to the first post. Now you need to do some
serious thinking if you really want to make this date a success.
First of all it’s really important to think about the date itself. What would you like to achieve? A second date
right? Well maybe, it all depends on the in-person chemistry, but you
can make the whole experience a lot easier on yourself if you choose the
right venue or experience.
There
is a small misconception around making a big impression on a first
date. Can I let you in on a little secret? It’s not about the money and
the flash, it’s about the thoughtfulness, originality and care that you
put into organising the first time you meet. Here are the basic tips you
need to be thinking about:
1. Find A Convenient Location
You
are meeting a woman for the first time and you know that she lives on
the other side of town. Do you insist because of your schedule and where
you like to hang out that she travel all the way to you and then has to
make her way all the way home afterwards? Hmmm... not a great place to
start.
So think first about geography and logistics. Try to choose
something that is easy for you both to get to and from and is centrally
located as much as possible. Original is great but if it means being
very adventurous on the travelling front, it’s probably not a great
idea. Will you be able to find each other easily? Is it a safe
neighbourhood with lots of people about? Is public transport readily
available as well as taxis?
2. Think About The Noise Level
Are
you meeting for a drink the first time perhaps? If you have never met
in person before and one of the objectives is to get to know each other,
don’t you want to be able to hear each other speak? So if you have to
shout at each other to be heard because the venue is heaving with
punters, not brilliant. Equally so, a venue that has music that is so
loud booming out of the speakers that you can hardly hear yourself think
let alone your date. Cool is great but it can still be achieved along
with a decent conversation.
3. Take The Season Into Account
If
it’s mid-winter, something cosy with a fire would be terrific to pump up
the romance. If it’s spring or summer and the sun is shining, it’s
essential to take advantage of being outside. But guys remember that
girls tend to feel the cold a little more, so make sure there’s heaters
or an indoors to retreat to. Somewhere that has a view or is attached to
an art gallery or a cinema is great, as you have other things to talk
about if you get stuck for conversation.
4. Give Her Some Warning If You're Doing Something Active
Taking
a walk as part of your date is a lovely thing to do especially if it
takes in a view or an activity like spiriting away a few slices of bread
in your bag to feed the ducks in the park. But a word of caution here,
best to ensure your date knows what you are doing so they can dress
appropriately. A stroll is a lovely thing, but your Lady might begin to
literally chafe if she elected to wear her high heels.
5. Take The Formality Out Of The Occasion
If
dinner is your first date, then choose your venue wisely. Something
really grand and over the top that screams special occasion as a way to
impress is not the way to go. Save that for a landmark date of
significance not a first meeting. You don’t want to come across as a
flashy idiot who uses being impressive as a way to win someone over.
There are lots of really great gastropubs and brasseries now that have
terrific food and amazing atmosphere, but also allow you to dress both
stylish and casual. What you want to try and do is take the formality
out of the occasion.
6. Chose A Restaurant With A Wide Menu
Even
go and take a look if you are really invested in success. Don’t you hate
venues where the tables are all really close together? The last thing
you want is to be having those first moments of conversation being
completely overheard by your dinner neighbours who are only 15 inches
away. A bit of space between the tables is a bonus. Oh and let’s not
forget cuisine. Do you love Indian food only to discover your date
loathes it but that heinous revelation only happens when you arrive at
your date venue? It’s quite simple to look at menus on a venue website
and choose somewhere with a range of cuisine options — food you both
recognise is definitely the way to go.
Do all the leg work on your
first date venue research and make the right decision and you are well
on your way to romantic success.
It’s not about the money and the flash, it’s about the thoughtfulness, originality and care that you put into organizing the first time you meet.
