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DO'S |
- Make your
introduction feel comfortable. Remember if you are feeling nervous,
they are probably feeling the same.
- Keep the
conversation going by finding and exploring common ground. This
can be done by asking general questions in a friendly manner about
interests, hobbies, recent holidays, cinema, theatre and dining
preferences.
- Be an interested
and interesting date. By being polite, attentive and showing a
genuine interest in what your date is saying, you will put them
at their ease. The ice will be broken and you will learn about
each other in a more relaxed and enjoyable way. Be enthusiastic
and positive.
- Laugh at
their jokes - the good ones not the bad ones. There is nothing
more embarrassing and obvious than an affected laugh - for both
parties.
- Be on time.
You wouldn't like to be kept waiting so don't do it to others.
If you find you are 'running behind' do your utmost to let your
date know and apologise immediately you meet with something like
"Sorry I was unavoidably delayed". Avoid lengthy and contrived
explanations, this only makes things worse.
- Be yourself.
No point in being anything else. If you put on a show to impress
you are heading for a fall. Your date will 'sus' you sooner rather
than later and the results will not be good for either of you.
- Talk about
their interests as well as your own. Avoid the me, me, me syndrome
at all costs.
- Show your
romantic caring side from the start after all, that is the purpose
of all this.
- Be confident.
Impossible in this situation you might say. Not so - by being
yourself and following some of the advice in points two and three
you will find that your confidence grows and becomes quite natural
- just as is should be.
- Show respect
for and towards your date - always. Courtesy manners and politeness
are keywords here - they cost nothing but make a lasting impression.
Treat your date as you would wish to be treated. In other words
- if something would offend you, it is quite likely that it will
offend them
- Make your
own way to the meeting, do not allow, your date to meet you at
home. This is a basic safey Guideline for all members at
the outset. Obviusly, as the relationship develops this
will no longer be necessary. Trust your instincts and don't
meet again if you have any doubts.
- Always
meet in a public place for that first date - one that you are
both comfortable with and which offers
easy access for both parties. Avoid
over-crowded noisy places so you can spot each other easily and
actually hear what each other has to say. Trying to shout over
the hubbub will scupper your attempts at getting to know one another.
-
Meet
for coffee or a light lunch for your first date and keep it
to about an hour or so. This takes the pressure off both of
you but, if the meeting naturally 'runs over' and you both
feel comfortable about it or wish to go on somewhere else,
by all means do so.
-
Ladies
- 'Go Dutch', unless the gentleman objects that is. There
are split views on this but the polite thing to do is offer.
The gentleman can then either accept or decline but at least
you will not have come across as a 'gold digger'.
-
If
you need to cancel a date, call the other person in good time
and always re-schedule the meeting.
-
When
you are meeting someone for the first time, feel free to leave
details of the meeting with your family/friends - once again,
this is basic safety guideline.
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Always
arrive well groomed - take this into account when you are
arranging the date. Rushing to a meeting from work all hot
and dishevelled is not the best way to begin. But, if there
is no other way, freshen up before you meet and 'catch your
breath'. Take a few minutes to calm down, compose yourself
and relax before you approach your date. It will be well
worth it.
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