5 Ways You Can Make Sure Your First Date is Awesome

couple on the beach

There is so much pressure to make sure that the first date goes well. Just the sheer pressure is enough throw your confidence off and put you off of your game. What people don’t realize is that a first date doesn’t have cause you anxiety. In fact, they can be pretty fun if you follow these five tips.

1. It Is a Date

The hardest part of the first date is actually initiating the date. Anyone can ask someone to hang out; that’s child’s play which is probably the quickest way to be placed in the “Friend Zone.” There is something to be said when you approach someone and ask them if they would like to go out on a date. Simply calling it a date gives the other person the indication that it is more than just hanging out and the interest is real. Also, when you’re just hanging, there isn’t much of a chance of a make-out session if things go well. Oh, and because it is a date, you want to make plans that do not include Netflix and chilling.

2. Don’t Expect too Much

When we accept the invitation to go out on a date with someone new, sometimes we have the uncanny knack of dreaming big and thinking that this could be The One — or at the very least you’re going to get laid. You don’t want to go into the date with the idea of grandeur because you may be disappointed. Instead, approach the date like a really laid back interview. You are just getting to know the person, so keep the mental images of your wedding day at bay.

3. Make Plans and Stick to Them

If you initiate the date, then it is up to you to come up with something to do. You don’t want to start the date and then ask the other person what they want to do. This can lead to a game of “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” and that is just never a good game to be in. Also, if you do have a plan, you have to stick to it. You don’t want to plan a picnic and then decide you don’t want to bring food.

4. Pay

Forget he pays no matter what, if you initiate the date, you pay. You want to spend time with someone, you want to get to know them, you make the plans for the date, so you should have to pay, it’s simple as that—regardless if you are male or female. You don’t want to ask someone out on a date and expect them to pay their way, they could do that with their friends! Now we aren’t saying you have to plan a lavish date and spend hundreds of dollars (that’s just insane for a first date!), but have $100 max on hand, just in case.

5. Proper Grooming

We can’t stress this enough! The name of the game is impressing the person you are going out with and this includes how you groom yourself. You don’t want to pick the person right after you had an intense workout and now you smell like an Italian sub. Make sure you do the three S’s (shit, shower and shave), put on nice and clean clothes, and remember not to overdo it with the fragrance! Your date will appreciate it!