In the 21st century life carries on at hectic pace. There is no scope for breather. Even when you relax, there is a possibility that you may be under stress. Relationships develop and then disappear at the wink of an eye… before you even realise, a close person becomes a quick-fading memory. Time is always a constraint; everyone seems to be short of it. Hence it is important that you make every moment count. There may not be a second opportunity in life as you try getting into new relationships.
Dating is the first step to the development of a relationship. It is during this period partners assess each other and decide whether they can take the next step forward towards intimacy. Hence it is important to impress your partner on the first date itself. While there are no guaranteed methods of foolproof success, researchers who have worked on the subject have some points to offer. Here’s what they say…
Choosing the right venue: Ideally it should not be too noisy or too crowded; a place where both can talk and listen and yet enjoy some outside attention too. But above all remember that it has to be a classy place and yet not very expensive. Remember the venue you choose will portray a lot about your character. So invest some time in researching for the perfect place that will not pinch your pocket, yet impress your partner.
Proper dress code: A shabbily-dressed person – irrespective of being a man or a woman – always conveys negativity. Hence you should dress properly and smell well. Bad body odour can be a big turn-off. So if you smell badly, your partner may not give you the chance of a second date. Use a soothing perfume, but not too strong.
Don’t expect too much: There should be clarity on what you want on your first date. Don’t think too high… regarding intimacy etc. There is plenty of time for that. Always try and find out what your partner ones, if you gauge that correctly, there is every possibility that you will have the chance for a second date. Also try and not be over-bearing and don’t use double-meaning words or sentences.
Be on time: Don’t keep your partner waiting rather be at the venue 10 minutes before the scheduled time. It will portray your sense of punctuality. Be it man or woman, punctuality goes a long way in demonstrating your character.
Importance of humour: Mix your conversation with a dash of wit and you can certainly impress your partner. After all, everyone enjoy laughing. Also on the first date don’t talk about your past relationships. Rather try and engage your partner to speak more about himself/herself. Remember conversation Guru Dale Carnegie has said that the person who uses ‘You’ more than ‘I’ instantly becomes popular. Also remember, the conversation flow should be easy going.
Don’t stress unnecessarily: A bit of anxiety is natural on a first date – in fact, it’s half the fun. But don’t let that stress show on you. It will make you flustered and your date uncomfortable. Remember, the more relaxed you are, the more comfortable your date will be around you. One simple trick is to sit at a right angle to your date rather than face him/her directly. This takes the pressure off trying to fill every pause in the conversation, and you can both do a bit of people-watching instead.
Positive body language: Showing genuine interest in your date will go a long way in preparing the opportunity for a second one. Hence it is important to have a proper body language. Tilt your head at times to show that you are interested in the conversation your partner has started. Never look away or yawn.
Continue conversation post-date: You may wait for your date to call or text you after the first meeting… well it can be vice-versa too. So it is better always to strike up the conversation first. A simple ‘Thank You’ may go a long way in setting up chances for future meetings.
PNN & Agencies
