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