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The various confinements had suspended them for a while. But now they are gradually resuming! "They'? These are the first meetings, of course! You know, the ones that allow you to see each other for the first time, and possibly to envisage continuing the adventure together. Is it your turn to have that famous first date? Congratulations, you've made the leap from the virtual to the real world! However, you may be a little stressed at the idea of meeting the other person for the first time? Here are a few tips to help you have a smooth first date.
Come without preconceptions
It is best to arrive at your appointment without doing too much research on the person you are going to meet. As the saying goes: "Don't do unto others what you wouldn't like them to do unto you", put yourself in the shoes of the person you are meeting. Would you like them to go and play Sherlock Holmes on the web to find out information about you? Wouldn't you be embarrassed to know that they may have seen old, less-than-glowing photos of you on a now-obsolete Skyrock blog, for example? So learn to preserve your privacy and that of others. To do this, avoid "googling" the person you are about to meet. You can usually find information about them on search engines or social networks. It may be posts sent by them. It can also be conversations or articles about them. As many of us live our lives on the web, be careful not to get any preconceived ideas. Avoid searching for this information before your first date. Otherwise, avoid asking her a whole bunch of questions related to your research on your first date. This could make her feel uncomfortable.
Arrive on time
Don't be like Hugh Grant, who was a habitual latecomer and blunderer in the film 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'. Arriving on time allows you to be relaxed and more confident. It also shows your partner that you are reliable and trustworthy. This way, your date starts off on the right foot. In order to arrive on time, plan to come on average 15 minutes beforehand. If you arrive very early for your appointment, do not hesitate to visit the surrounding area. This will allow you to get some fresh air and relax. You will also avoid being seen standing in front of the door of the establishment where you have an appointment. If you can't make it in time, text your date as soon as possible to let them know and apologise. This will show them that you care about them and the meeting. Remember the adage: "Politeness is a privilege of kings.
Dressing up (but not too much)
The question of clothing is often a key issue before a first date. What clothes to wear? You should always try to be neat. It is of course also necessary to adapt your clothes to the style of the place you are going to. For example, a meeting in a trendy bar requires rather casual clothes, a meeting in a chic restaurant requires more "correct" clothing. For men, there is no need to wear a dinner jacket for every occasion. For ladies, there's no need to wear too much make-up. There is no need to overdo it. It's all a question of tact and dosage. The most important thing is to be comfortable in your outfit and to adapt it to the circumstances. It also helps you to feel a little more confident.
Use humour sparingly
Humour is a sensitive topic on the first date. For example, a recent survey indicates that humour handled well can get a person a second date. Conversely, 84 % of women and 64 % of men surveyed believe that a poor sense of humour can end a relationship. So, be careful when trying to make people laugh. Avoid, for example, going off on endless antics at the start of your date. This can make the other person uncomfortable or laugh out loud, for reasons that may not be appropriate. Remember that humour is above all a profession. Not everyone handles humour in the same way. Some people are good at it, others not so good. There are people who are more or less receptive. But how do you lighten the mood without making it heavy? It can be interesting to use the "private jokes" used during your exchanges on the dating site. This brings continuity between your virtual and real conversations. It also allows for more natural and less forced exchanges. Also pay attention to your partner's reaction when you make these jokes. You will learn more about how they receive your jokes. And you can continue or adapt them in a more appropriate way.
Be yourself
If there were only one piece of advice left, it would be this: be yourself! It is by being like this that you show the other person that you are ready to live a beautiful story with them. This is easier said than done. It requires a little work on yourself before the first date. To arrive in a genuine and serene way, ask yourself a few questions before the date. Ask yourself what your strengths and weaknesses are. This will give you a better idea of your potential and limitations at the time. Also try to understand what worked well in your previous encounters and what did not work so well. This will help you to avoid making the same mistakes. Ask yourself what you really want from this date and this encounter. This will allow you to arrive at your date in a more enlightened way. Finally, to bring out your personality better, you can choose a meeting place that particularly inspires you. For example, why not go to a bar that you know well? You will feel more comfortable in your element. When you go on a date, also be relaxed. Your personality will come out more easily. Learn to laugh at yourself. For example, you drop a tomato while eating a hamburger? That's okay, just laugh about it! And just enjoy the moment. So, have a good first date!