Be a scrooge about the meeting place: The benches near Nag Pokhari won't work. Neither will the local tea spot near your home regardless of how strongly you believe they serve the best chiya in town. We are not exactly angling for a five-star meal here but good ambience is a crucial aspect of an impressive first date.
Turn up late: Of course, you may genuinely be stuck in traffic. This is why we recommend you make an effort and head out a little early. Keeping your date waiting on your first meeting itself is just disrespectful. This applies to the ladies as well. You may be very interested in your date but when you are late you relay the opposite message.
Dress down—or up—too much: It's dating 101 – ask where you are going to meet and dress accordingly. Showing up in your jeans and tee for an upscale candle light dinner or a cocktail dress for meeting up at the corner café is a big no-no. There is a big probability that you will cut down your chances for date number two like this.
Use Your Cell: Dating today is harder than it was fifty years ago and not just because singles have to contend with other singles, but they also have to compete with distractions. The pings, tings and buzz from your phone on the side of the table may be tempting but it is best you leave it for after the date. Still if you would rather text, talk or watch viral videos on your phone during a date, it's a sign. You are probably not interested in the person to begin with.
Talk about yourself all the time: Nothing is a bigger turnoff than a narcissist who can't stop talking about him/herself. You may have great abs or you may have just snagged a promotion, even a trip to Italy maybe, however, you are not on a date with yourself. The other person has interests, opinions and a life in general so inquire about that. A two way conversation is the key to memorable dates.
Lay it thick with the cheesy lines: "Like my new jacket? Know what it's made of? Boyfriend material." *cringe* We get it that the pressure to impress is high but we can vouch that rumors about women secretly loving cheesy lines is completely false. Trust us, wit, humor and intellect are the secrets to a successful first date.
Be a messy eater: Now that we have set the distractions aside and got the flow of the date going as well, it's time to order some food. Now we don't mean to make you self conscious but at least on the first date, you might want to mind your table manners. So be aware of making embarrassing slurping noises, attempting humongous bites or noisily chewing your food. Also and perhaps most importantly, order wisely. The likes of spaghetti, club sandwiches or anything with garlic in them are often how many humiliating date anecdotes begin.
Reminisce about your ex: No one wants to be subjected to an evening of hearing about how amazing a stranger's ex was. Or even if the scenario involves you verbally bashing your former partner, nobody has the time for that! In this instance, past is truly best left in the past. If you've just come out of a long relationship, it might be a good idea to wait a while before you start dating again.
Get drunk: Need we elaborate? This advice should be obvious. Some people have gone on dates after a booze session or worse ordered one too many rounds on the date itself without knowing how risky that might be. You want to have a sharp mind on your first date and it only takes one drink for that edge to disappear. Slurring your words or having trouble sitting straight is not attractive.
Forget to make sure your date gets home safe: Guys, be gentlemanly enough to drive your date safely home. If you do not have a car or a bike, at least get her a cab with a nice driver to ensure that she is in good hands. Call her after a while to make sure she's reached home and that will definitely win you some brownie points.
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