Published: 16 February, 2012
ADVERTISING FEATURE

Whatever your age and however many times you’ve taken the plunge, first dates are a rollercoaster of emotions. That unmistakable mixture of nerves and excitement, the butterflies going ten to the dozen in the pit of your stomach and hours in front of the mirror trying to perfect that knockout outfit – all before you get to the venue!

Dating is tough at the best of times but when you aren’t prepared, it can be a disaster just waiting to happen. Questions like ‘Will they like me?’, ‘Are they “the one”?’ and ‘If I don’t like them, what the hell am I going to do?’ will all be swimming around your head so be prepared for some nail biting and fidgeting.

With all this nerve-jangling terror, it’s sometimes easy to forget the purpose of a first date. Most of all you should have fun, don’t put too much pressure on the date and just enjoy each other’s company and get to know each other a bit better.

This is easy to say when you’re not sat at the bar anxiously awaiting their arrival, but to ease those first date nerves, here are five tips to ensure you get the most out of your romantic rendezvous.

1. Choose the right location

Choosing the correct venue for a first date is half the battle, so think about it carefully. Usually an intimate bar for a drink, or a meal at a quiet restaurant will suffice so consider these options. You want to keep it simple and choose a location where you are going to get plenty of chances to spend some quality time getting to know each other.

You’d be surprised at how many people slip up here, for example taking a vegetarian date to a steak house or a boat trip for someone who can’t swim.

Try not to choose something that will take a long time – keep it short and sweet. This way, if it goes well, you leave you and your date wanting more and end it on a high note, suggesting you should meet up again soon. Alternatively, if you don’t like each other or want to get out, you won’t have to hang around for too long before making a speedy exit.

Using your imagination and whisking your date of their feet is great for a third or fourth date but when it comes to your first, keep it simple – dating in London shouldn’t be any different to dating in Macclesfield, just choose a suitable venue and enjoy yourself.

2. Be yourself

Whether you are senior dating and have had previous marriages or you are embarking on your first romance, all you have to remember is be yourself! If you do get along then you want someone to love you for being you, not someone else you’ve created to impress. Whatever you do, don’t lie. This will only come back to bite you and if you find a romance worth keeping, you will soon be put in a sticky situation and jeopardise your relationship when it comes out.

3. Dust off those glad rags

Dressing to impress doesn’t only show you’re making an effort but it will also make you feel great. Buy some new clothes, give yourself plenty of time to get ready and look after yourself in the run up to the date. You’ll look great, feel great and your date will notice straightaway.

4. Leave your problems at home

There is no bigger turn off on a first date than talking about your problems. That means no conversations about exes, problem children or medical issues!

5. Enjoy yourself!

The most important thing to remember when going on a date is to just enjoy yourself. If it doesn’t work out, you’ve had a nice evening and that’s the end of it, on the other hand, who knows what it could be the start of? Relax and have some fun and before you know it, you may well be enjoying your second, third and fourth dates, and beyond.