First date, first impressions

First impressions are EVERYTHING. Think of them as the deciding factor whether you will be that job you've always dreamt of or working at a shit-hole for the rest of your life. Within the first few seconds of meeting someone I can already tell if I'm going to like them or if they're going to be a waste of my time. I don't hate many things in life, but if there's one thing that I do hate it's having my time wasted. If you're going to ask me (or any person) out on a date it would be great if you gather up enough information about me to put a couple of good ideas down on the drawing board or that you've asked me for suggestions of things I do and/or don't like so you can muster up a plan of action. Now, I've been on some really awesome first dates and some not so awesome ones where I wanted to crawl out of a bathroom window in order to escape awkwardness/boredom/the guy that was sitting across the table from me. In hopes that this may help someone, I have come up with some things to keep in mind when it comes to first dates.

BEFORE

• PLAN- There's nothing I hate more than meeting up with a guy that asks me what I want to eat or what I'd like to do. You should have asked me BEFORE, like, when we were texting.
• NOTIFY- Let them know what the date will be consisting of so they can dress accordingly. You don't want to show up to dinner dressed like you're going to the club!
• PREPARE- Although this is not an interview, you want to make sure that you have things to talk about and that you're not being socially awkward (in case you normally are).
• ***NOTE: When planning the date, cross out the idea of long walks across bridges or any other ideas that you had where the only means of escaping is by jumping off of/out of/into something. You want the date to be good, but you also want to prepare for the worst!

DURING

• DON'T: complain or rant about your ex, your toe fungus, that funky smell that's been accompanying the itch in your crotch, or how you're a mama's boy.
• DO: compliment her on how nice she looks, look engaged while she's talking, ask follow-up questions, and make her laugh!
• ***NOTE: Unless you've mentioned that you two will be "going Dutch," there should be no reason for you not to pay if you were the one who invited.

AFTER: THE KISS...and other things to follow

• DON'T: assume that she wants to kiss you, come at her with your mouth wide open, slobber on her, shove your tongue down her throat, or be the creep that insists he take her home/make sure she gets home safely after she already told your ass no.
• DO: be a gentleman (maybe it would be appropriate to ask for you), let her know that you had a [insert well-thought out word or phrase here] time, and RELAX! It's not the end of the world.
• ***NOTE:  NO MEANS NO! Don't beg like a puppy dog--it's just sad.

Remember, first impressions are important; especially if you're wanting things to progress (in anything). Be yourself--not a creep or a weirdo--and do something fun! Life's too short to only go on dinner and movie dates. (Check back soon for some fun date ideas!)