| It's Friday night and you're all geared | | | | Do not be cheap. Guys, make sure you |
| up to go on that important first date. | | | | have enough in your pocket to cover the |
| You haven't dated in awhile and are | | | | date including any customary tips and |
| pretty nervous that you'll screw things | | | | incidentals. And just so we're clear, |
| up. How do you keep from making a | | | | it isn't cute to skimp out on tipping |
| complete arse of yourself and more | | | | your waiter/waitress because your water |
| importantly, make it to that seemingly | | | | was 2 degrees warmer than you would have |
| out-of-reach second date? I have | | | | liked it or any other cockamamie excuse |
| compiled a list of some simple tips to | | | | you think your date will find funny. |
| prevent you from making the most common | | | | She won't. You will look like a jackass |
| costly first date blunders. | | | | and nobody wants to be with a jackass. |
| | | | A proper gratuity is 10% of the total |
| Do not talk about your ex. It is very | | | | bill. And ladies, just because your |
| unattractive to tell your date all about | | | | date is expected to foot the bill |
| the exes and what they did or didn't do | | | | doesn't mean you should come |
| or how they did it. It really is a | | | | empty-handed. If you're going dutch, |
| turnoff and drops your date's interest | | | | then of course that's self-explanatory, |
| level. I'll take it a step further and | | | | but if he's paying the check, you should |
| say don't even discuss your great | | | | at least offer to leave the tip. |
| platonic bowling partner friend to whom | | | | Besides, didn't your mother always tell |
| you confide all your problems to. Your | | | | you to keep some change just in case? |
| date will clearly see this person as a | | | | Don't be cruel to the wait staff. As I |
| possible threat and who wants to begin a | | | | said in the previous tip, your date will |
| relationship in a competition? You want | | | | not find it funny. This is really |
| to keep the date as romantic and light | | | | childish behavior and I'm sure you don't |
| as possible.Speaking of light, keep the | | | | want to come off as immature. So, |
| heavy dramatic topics out of the | | | | please, don't be overly demanding and |
| conversation. Nobody wants to hear the | | | | difficult towards your wait staff. Be |
| gloom and doom of how you think the | | | | courteous and polite at all times and |
| world will end due to global warming or | | | | treat them like the human beings they |
| why Bush is doing a terrible job. It is | | | | are. As the old saying goes, you catch |
| incredibly boring to discuss the current | | | | more flies with honey than vinegar. |
| rise in interest rates and the way your | | | | Use proper etiquette. Pigs eat slop. |
| boss is giving it to you in the rear | | | | People eat meals with silverware and use |
| end. Everything that comes out of your | | | | napkins. Save another time to let your |
| mouth should be positive and upbeat.Do | | | | date "pull your finger" and keep the |
| not brag. It really is unimportant how | | | | gaseous eruptions to a minimum. Eat at |
| much you have stowed away in your 401K | | | | a reasonable pace that allows for |
| and how your Jag gets 34 miles per | | | | conversation without a mouthful of food |
| gallon. We've all heard it a million | | | | seeping from the sides of your lips. |
| times before so let that aspect of your | | | | And ladies, don't order the most |
| life be discovered. It's okay to | | | | expensive item on the menu just for the |
| highlight a choice few of your | | | | sake of its price tag and don't starve |
| accomplishments but don't oversell | | | | yourself in an attempt to keep from |
| yourself. You're not on commission. | | | | looking like a glutton. If you're |
| Do not get all touchy-feely. It's | | | | hungry, eat. He'd much rather see you |
| creepy and offensive. You're not at the | | | | enjoy your meal than watch you scrunch |
| point where you can take those freedoms | | | | up your face in agony of your efforts to |
| so keep your hands to yourself. No pats | | | | disguise the loud rumbles erupting from |
| on the back, arms around the shoulders, | | | | your tummy. |
| or hands on the knee. These things will | | | | Last, this really should go without |
| come in due time so don't rush the | | | | saying but, do not overindulge in |
| touching. This stage has to arrive as a | | | | alcoholic beverages. A first date is |
| natural progression in the relationship. | | | | not the time to show off how well you |
| Do not talk about sex. It's distasteful | | | | can handle your liquor. The combination |
| and downright tacky. Everyone has heard | | | | of first date jitters and ten beers can |
| all the libido stories and the dirty | | | | be fatal to any possibility of a second |
| jokes. Keep it classy and | | | | date. You should be well aware of your |
| sophisticated. You're an adult so you | | | | surroundings and in full possession of |
| should know by now that it is completely | | | | your faculties. You don't want to be so |
| unnecessary to drone on about what a | | | | uninhibited that you forget your manners |
| champion lover you are. If you're so | | | | so keep it to a three cocktail maximum. |
| good, your date will find out | | | | The first date can be a horrific, |
| eventually. | | | | terrifying, grueling, romantic, |
| Be prepared. While spontaneity is a | | | | exciting, fun and memorable experience. |
| really nice attribute, it doesn't bode | | | | You will most likely be a bottle of |
| well for first dates. You should have a | | | | nerves and make many mistakes throughout |
| well-thought out plan of what you will | | | | your special night but so will your |
| be doing, when and where. Know your | | | | date. Just remember these tips and be |
| budget and plan accordingly. Make | | | | yourself. After all, the hardest part |
| dinner reservations and purchase theater | | | | was getting the date in the first |
| tickets ahead of time. It is | | | | place.Niquenya Fulbright is a |
| embarrassing to arrive at your | | | | professional life coach specialing in |
| destination just to find out its packed | | | | sex, love, dating and relationships. As |
| to capacity and/or sold out. Give | | | | founder of Chicago Love Connection, a |
| yourself enough travel time in between | | | | premier online dating site, Niquenya has |
| locations. And whatever you do, don't | | | | helped hundreds of Chicagoland singles |
| be late in picking her up. And ladies, | | | | regain control of their love lives |
| I know it's tempting, but it really is a | | | | through date coaching, self-assessment, |
| tiresome habit to keep him waiting for | | | | time management skill building, image |
| the sake of being "fashionably late." | | | | consulting, matchmaking services and |
| Be ready at least 10 minutes prior to | | | | exciting singles events. |
| the time he is scheduled to arrive. | | | | |