Whether you’re a dating aficionado or you’re brand new to the scene, first date nerves are inevitable. From choosing what to wear to deciding how ‘fashionably’ late it’s acceptable to be, the first step towards a smooth, successful date is preparation. Follow our guide to help you get first date ready!
Don’t leave things until the last minute There’s nothing worse than finding yourself sat in the middle of your bed with half an hour to spare, surrounded by a heap of clothes with your hair still in a towel and thinking; “I have absolutely nothing to wear.” Lesson number one: Plan ahead. Once you know the location of your date, have a browse online to get a feel for the atmosphere and the dress code. Decide if it’s the type of place for jeans and a nice top or a little-black-dress. For the men, will you feel too formal and uncomfortable in a suit? Maybe it’s more the kind of scene for a smart pair of jeans and a nice shirt. A day or two ahead of the date, pick out a few outfit possibilities; one which you plan to wear and another for backup. Try not to overthink this– just imagine you’re meeting a friend for dinner or drinks.
Pack the essentials Check and double check that you’ve remembered all of your essential belongings before stepping out! Realising you’ve forgotten your wallet or purse and having to awkwardly watch your companion foot the bill has to be a first date nightmare. Nerves can make you forget the simplest things, so don’t forget to tick off the following items on your mental checklist before you leave: phone, wallet/purse, keys, destination address, a taxi number etc. Once you’ve ticked these off, you’ll also want to be sure you’ve remembered some other handbag or pocket essentials. If you’re wearing lipstick, don’t forget to bring it with you to top it up throughout the evening. A compact mirror is also a good idea if you’re going on a date involving food, to save you the embarrassment of your date telling you there’s something in your teeth! You can never be too prepared - imagine the horror of a pimple appearing mid-date, or the tingle of a cold sore! Keep a concealer and a lip balm, such as Prevasore Everyday Lip Therapy, in your bag or pocket to deal with any unexpected emergencies!
Relax & enjoy Finally, don’t forget to enjoy yourself! Dates are supposed to be fun, so don’t ruin it by overthinking and worrying; just relax and be yourself. Let the conversation flow naturally and ask the questions you’re genuinely interested in finding out the answers to, rather than feeling like you’re conducting an interview. Be open in sharing your interests, likes, dislikes, hobbies and goals, and make sure you listen as much as you talk. Be present in the moment rather than setting expectations for the evening and just have fun.
Happy dating everyone!
Original Dating is currently working with Prevasore Everyday Lip Therapy. Sign up for any of our events in late 2016 and early 2017 and you'll receive a free sample tube of Prevasore at every event. You can also find out more about the product at www.prevasore.co.uk