In the 21st century life carries on at hectic pace. There is no scope for breather, even when you relax, there is every 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 turns into a 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 something you just attempted and failed, leaving you pondering what went wrong.
Dating is the first step to the development of a relationship. It is during this period that partners assess one another 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. So may be a retro pub or a classy restaurant may be the right place. Remember the venue you choose will portray a lot about your character. Hence, the location is important. So do some research about the place you want to go before taking your partner out.
Dress properly: A shabbily dressed person – be it a man or a woman – always conveys a negative impression. Hence you should dress properly and smell well. Bad body odour can put away any person, so if you smell badly, your partner may not give you the chance of a second date.
Punctuality: On the first date, it is advisable not to keep your prospective partner waiting. If possible, reach at least 10 minutes before the scheduled appointment. Who knows, your date may do the same to test you out. Be it man or woman, punctuality goes a long way in demonstrating your character.
Assess expectations: You should be clear in your mind as to what you exactly want on your first date. It would be wrong on your part to hope that you can become intimate with your partner on the first day itself. Yes that happens sometimes, but rarely. Don’t be over-bearing, also try and assess what the person you are dating wants. Speak properly, speak clearly and don’t use double-meaning words or sentences.
Carry out proper conversation: Mix your conversation with a dash of wit and you can certainly impress your partner. After all, everyone does enjoy a hearty laugh. Also avoid difficult topics like politics or religion or for that matter even past relationships. Also don’t force your date to start conversation every time discussion on a topic has ended. The flow should be easy going.
Have a 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, it will make your partner feel that you are not interested in the conversation.
Keep post date conversation going: You may think that your date may 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. But then don’t sound over-eager or too keen and continue texting or calling. It may put your date off.
Don’t stress unnecessarily: A bit of anxiety is natural on a first date – in fact, it’s half the fun. But eliminate the kind of stress that 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 them 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.
PNN & Agencies