Dating and Doors
Has it been a while since you have been out on a date, or
maybe you haven't been able to get a second date after your
first date fiasco, this article is written as a refresher
course into dating etiquette and for your learning more about
what your date might like.
Rule number one when you are on a first date is to always
be you. Don't try to portray yourself as someone you are not.
If you put forth a 'fake' personality, career, or even an
untrue past, the future between you and your date will be
a doomed failure from the start. If you are truly going to
be honest in a relationship, you will be together because
you and the other have built a relationship based on real
facts, thoughts and ideas. False starts create doubts in a
relationship that are difficult if not impossible to overcome.
Another steadfast rule in the dating world is do not try
to focus the entire date about yourself and your world. Keep
your date interested in conversation about worldly happenings,
local happenings or even by asking them about themselves.
Continual conversation brings about a great date for the both
of you. Focus on today without focusing on where you will
be tomorrow with this person; if the relationship is meant
to be it will happen naturally. This brings together the honesty
in the relationship through conversation. The sharing of real
events, thoughts and ideas in both of your lives is how a
second date is brought about because of the attraction to
want to learn more about the other person by spending more
time with that person.
Combining the rules
Using the two major rules as discussed above and implementing
small special effects to your date will bring out the best
in a budding relationship while creating lasting memories
for the two of you. These 'special effects' in a first date
can be very small gestures of kindness that portray the real
person in you. While there are, many traditions that have
changed over the years the following are a few you may need
to acquaint yourself with. These new 'traditions' include
the arriving in separate cars (for safety reasons), double
dating (again for safety when not knowing the other person
very well at all), and in going dutch on a date (creating
the 'equality' feeling if needed), there are still a variety
of personal effects that you can use to impress your date.
When you are discussing going out, ask if he / she would
like to use one car - opting for whichever the both of you
feel most comfortable with for the time being. You could also
suggest that the two of you take cabs if you are going clubbing
on a first date, resulting in not having either party on the
date having to worry about drinking and driving.
As you arrive on your date, whether you are going for a walk
in the park, going to the movies or going to dinner, let your
date know if you like how they look, how they dress, or even
if you like something about where you are going. Complimenting
the other person on their appearance creates a feeling of
inner confidence for that person, which brings confidence
to your date because the person will feel they can compliment
you in return in regards to what they like about you, without
making you feel embarrassed as well.
There are a variety of simple gestures you can also use throughout
your time on your date to make the two of you feel at ease.
These gestures include: simply walking side by side, looking
at each other when asked a question that involves the both
of your input, and compromising as needed on your first date.
Compromise about what the two of you do with your time together,
let the date be something that the both of you would like
to do or see while on your first date. Good examples of a
first date might be walking through a fair, going window-shopping
in the mall, watching fireworks, dancing, or you could even
go to a concert that you agree to see.
When you are on a date, do your best not to finish sentences
for someone when they are speaking to you in conversation.
You may not realize this could appear rude when you finish
a sentence for another but the conversation meaning could
be altered, differed from his or her original thought. Keep
the conversation balanced by asking questions about the other
person's life, ideas in life, and thoughts about what is going
on in your surroundings.
No matter what sex you are, if the other person on your date
is walking behind you, hold the door and allow them to walk
ahead of you. Common courtesy in a relationship is the basis
for a great friendship that is possible to bloom into more
if nurtured.
While it may mean that you will have to restrain yourself,
do not try to keep you date out longer than what they want
to be. There are some very good reasons why a person may need
to be home by midnight that you may not be aware of. Some
of these reasons could include: early shift the next morning,
they only have a babysitter for a certain time, they must
have the car back by a certain time, they don't feel comfortable
in their neighborhood after a certain hour, they worked an
early shift that day, or maybe the other person isn't feeling
well at that particular time.
One or both of you can inquire about contacting each other
again, with numbers exchanged if easily agreed upon. If you
find yourself in a situation where one is hesitant to give
out a phone number, the other (who asked) might make an easy
come back in conversation saying: 'We don't have to worry
about it right now, I'll just talk to you later when I see
you…' using wherever you met as a starting point in seeing
that person again. As your date is nearing a close, be sure
to 'Thank' the other person for spending some time with you,
letting them know you had a good time with them if you did.
Your being polite is a great trait to be remembered by when
another is thinking about your date and the time you have
spent together.
Using a few of the small gestures as listed here and using
some of your own creative ideas, while you are on a first
date, will increase your chances for a successful first date.
Combining the special gestures and ideas into your first date
while implementing your 'real' side and your 'honesty' in
conversation will be the basis for a solid relationship. Remember,
the reason for going on a date is to learn more about a person
and for growing friendships between people, not to be looking
for love around every corner or in every person that you may
encounter.
About the Author:
Cheryl Lewis, freelance writer, married and mother of three.
Based in the Mountains of PA
Cheryl writes for DrDating - a web site for anyone looking
for love online. We have hundreds of articles, E-Books and
links to some great dating and love sites all over the world.
DrDating also offers reviews of some of the most popular dating
sites and books.
http://www.DrDating.com
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