First Date Etiquette 101

So you've finally managed to find that perfect someone you'd like to date. Or perhaps you've just stalked a special someone long enough so he or she has given in and decided to go out with you. Congratulations! You are on your way to a wonderful, meaningful relationship in no time. Of course, it is important that you stay on the right track. You need to make a great first date impression. That is when First Date Etiquette 101 comes in handy.

Perhaps you've met someone great online. Or maybe you've known each other for a while but never had the nerve to actually go out until now. Sometimes your friends may even be brave enough to try to set you up with someone. No matter how it has happened, you've gotten someone to agree to go on a date with you.

Naturally, you will be nervous on the first date. What should you wear? Where should you go? Who will pay? What type of conversations will you have? Well, stop freaking out! Just be yourself and do not take it too seriously. If you are too nervous, you are going to weird out your date. So let's just go over some helpful first date etiquette tips and you will be good to go!

You want to make a nice first impression on the date, so try to dress in something cute. At the very least, make sure you don't wear an outfit with holes or stains on it. Nothing says, "I totally put no thought into my look" more than that. Not only is that not going to score you another date, it is really quite rude. It makes your date feel as if you do not care at all about making a good first impression with him or her.

It also never hurts to wear some cologne or perfume, but don't take a bath in the stuff; no one wants to smell you minutes before you enter the room. Speaking of smelling, make sure to take a shower or bath before the date... not days before the date either. No one wants to date a stinker.

If you are a woman, remember not to give the wrong impression with your outfit. If you walk out the door in a low-cut blouse, mini-skirt, and stiletto heels, you may be giving off an "easy vibe" and I'm not talking about being easy going in a carefree kind of way. If that is, of course, the exact vibe you are trying to give off, more power to you. Make sure to take some protection with you - and I don't mean that in a pepper spray kind of way, but hey, it never hurts to take that, too.

Let's be real here - the guy will probably pick out the location for the date. Guys, let me help you out. For the first date you don't want to creep anyone out. Don't think that going to a picnic in the middle of a deserted field is romantic. On the fifth date, yes. On the first date, no. After all, this chick just might have pepper spray with her (as I directed in the last paragraph) and going to a secluded location can't help her feel too secure.

Try to find a nice public place. Restaurants and coffee shops are just fine. Really. Generic is never going to scare a girl. You might bore her, but better that than pepper spray to the face. You may also want to avoid places with messy foods or foods that are sure to cause stomach issues. Personally, I would avoid Mexican restaurants until you really get to know each other. A gassy evening is not terribly romantic. It is gross and not so polite.

While on the date, there are a number of activities that are just inappropriate. Please try to avoid the following things at all costs:

• Burping too much
• Farting at all
• Slurping
• Falling asleep
• Blowing liquids out your nose
• Watching the TV at the restaurant more than your date
• Talking too much about boring topics
• Talking too much about your job
• Whining about your exes
• Not offering to pay some portion of date
• Insulting your date
• Talking about sex too soon
• Toilet humor while eating
• Getting too drunk
• Bringing your child along on the date
• Bringing your mother along on the date
• Talking on cell phone too much
• Texting instead of talking to date
• Flirting with someone other than your date

When the date is over, there is always some nervous anticipation. Some people simply do not kiss on the first date. There is nothing wrong with this person. This does not necessarily mean your date does not like you; everyone has their own pace. Don't get offended and don't consider the person rude. Give a nice hug or say "good night," and be on your way. Never ever, no matter how much it seems like a good idea, don't call your date out on it. Don't start whining about not getting a kiss. Guess what? You will not only not get a kiss that night, you might be told of another less attractive part of his or her body to kiss. So don't be a rude jerk about it.

It is always polite to thank a person for a nice date. Also, you can make plans for another date if it went well. Or potentially run to safety if it went poorly. Every date is different and you should do what feels right. Do not get talked into anything you do not want to do. Most of all, do not "pity date" a person either. It only hurts their feelings in the long run. If the date did not go well and you have no interest, just let them down easy but don't feel obligated to go out again. After all, there are plenty of fish in the sea.

Thanks for reading and happy dating! Hope your first date will go well. Just remember to be polite and remember your first date etiquette.