You only have one chance to make a great first date impression! Follow these tips for dating success. We wish you the best of luck in finding your soul mate!
- Dating is for marriage not for fun - Don't waste your valuable time, money and energy endlessly dating casually. Carefully consider who you will agree to meet with and look for shared values and qualities that would make a good spouse. This is covered in detail in our previous blog article titled: "Qualities to look for in a potential spouse."
- Choose the right place to meet - Select a quiet, neutral place convenient and accessible to both of you. Do not entertain a date in your home on the first date.
- Stay focused on the other person - turn off your phone and really listen to your date. Be curious and ask followup questions.
- Avoid monopolizing the conversation by talking about yourself too much. This is not a job interview.
- Be flirtatious - If you are interested in someone show that you are receptive by making eye contact, smiling, and complimenting your date.
- Focus on the present moment - Avoid talking about exes or depressing stories from the past. You don't want to come across as a gossip or someone with a victim mindset.
- Be positive - the more upbeat and positive you feel, the more attractive ad magnetic you are. Even your greatest challenges should be couched with a positive life lesson about what you learned and how you grew from that experience. Demonstrate your resilience by sharing how you made lemonade out of lemons.
- Don't kiss or get intimate on the first date - Showing romantic interest is acceptable but maintain modest boundaries, decorum and self respect by not getting physical with a stranger. Getting physical too soon just complicates and clouds your judgement. Get to know the person on a deeper level and forge an emotional bond first.
- Take your time - Relax and get to know the person without rushing to judgement or committment. Develop a friendship first as attraction can develop later. Savor the courtship process.
- Be honest - When you have made your final decision, don't play games. Be candid about your feelings and intentions.
- Follow up - If you enjoyed spending time with your date and want to get together again follow up immediately.
- Persistance pays - Learn from your experiences and stay optimistic. Know that you are special and that you will find someone special who will cherish you if you remain open to the possibility of finding love.
Source: Make Me a Match, by the Matchmaking Institute