To help you with this, weâve come up with a list of things not to do on your first date:
Donât talk about yourself endlessly
Donât quiz them
Donât dismiss them because theyâre not your type
Donât talk about your ex
Donât talk about work
Donât avoid eye contact
Donât wear something uncomfortable
Donât put too much pressure on yourself
Donât drink too much alcohol
Donât try to be someone else
Donât talk about religion or politics
Donât have your phone on the table
Donât eat anything sticky or stinky and keep smoking to a minimum
Donât go on about your kids but donât forget to mention them
First date tips
1. Donât talk about yourself endlessly
Itâs a common piece of advice but an important one. You donât want your companion to think that youâre only interested in yourself. Demonstrate how eager you are to get to know them by asking about their hobbies, what they like to eat, where they like to travel and what they are looking for out of the date. Keep this light, no one wants to know that youâve picked out the names of your dozen children but itâs okay to find out if they are looking for something more long-term or just a friendly relationship.
2. Donât quiz them
Itâs easy to fall into a trap of asking them lots of questions just so that youâre not always talking about yourself, but you donât want to make it seem like youâre interrogating them. Make sure they get a chance to steer the conversation and to find out what they want to about you.
3. Donât dismiss them because theyâre not your type
If youâre preferred hair colour is brunette but youâre sitting opposite a redhead - donât dismiss them! You may surprise yourself, the adventurous side of your date may sweep you off your feet! Take the time and get to know them, you may find they tick more of your boxes than you think.
What not to do on a first date for guys
4. Donât have your phone on the table
Most people are rather attached to their phones. Try not to put your phone on the table, it will be too tempting to look at it. Definitely don't scroll through your social media - you donât want your date to think that theyâre boring or unappealing and that a recent post on Facebook is more important!
5. Donât talk about your ex
Now sometimes this may slip out if you are asked a question about your last holiday and thatâs okay. What you donât want to do is talk about them repetitively. Your date may feel that youâre still in love with your ex and that this date is a rebound for you.
6. Donât avoid eye contact
If youâre looking at anything but your date â or heaven forbid another person â you will seem like you arenât interested. Where possible, hold eye contact with them to show your attention, and that youâre enjoying the conversations.
First date tips for girls
7. Donât drink too much alcohol
One or two may relax you, and thatâs great, but most people arenât at their best when theyâre drunk! Know your limits and show them your great personality, sober.
8. Donât wear something uncomfortable
Depending on how itâs going, a date could last five minutes to several hours. If youâre going to be carrying your shoes around and undoing buttons just to feel comfortable, itâs probably not the right outfit. That doesnât mean you should wear your joggers, but just consider that you may not be at your best if you are feeling uncomfortable.
Put on something smart that you wonât mind being in for a few hours. Layers are also fantastic, as you can put more on if you get cold and take some off if you feel like youâre starting to melt.
9. Donât put too much pressure on yourself
The UK is filled with singles, so if you havenât met the one â donât worry! Maybe you will make a new friend or find out what you could do to make things go better on another date. Donât look at it as your last chance, instead know that there are other opportunities out there if it doesnât go well.
10. Donât try to be someone else
You should always try to âput your best foot forwardâ, as teachers like to say, but make sure that you are still true to yourself. Thereâs nothing wrong with being open to new experiences, but donât agree that you love 10-mile hikes at 6am if you donât surface before lunch on a Sunday. They will soon find out that you werenât telling them the truth and itâs better to start as you mean to go on â honestly!
11. Donât talk about religion or politics
It may be that you only want to marry someone of a certain religion, so it may make sense to mention what faith you follow but generally these subjects can be contentious, and it would be better not to start a debate with your date so soon. Eventually, you will probably move onto these subjects but not necessarily on the first date.
Do's and Don'ts for a first date
12. Donât talk about work
Your job may be super exciting and if it is, thatâs great! Do talk about it, but your date would like to know more about your personality and interests. Tell them what you like to do in your spare time, where you are planning to travel or have travelled, and your favourite meals or types of food (for inspiration for future dates).
13. Donât eat anything sticky/smelly and keep smoking to a minimum
If itâs sticky, you canât shake hands or hug later, and as for the smell, sitting opposite someone that smells of garlic could be a little off-putting. Likewise, thereâs no point in wearing expensive perfume or aftershave if you are going to cover it up with eau de ashtray.
14. Donât go on about your kids but donât forget to mention them
Itâs a fine line to tread but finding out that you have kids a month in may be a little bit overwhelming for your date so make sure that you mention them and maybe their names and ages. If your date shows a genuine interest in them and asks loads of questions, answer a few of them but turn the conversation back to your date to find out more about them.