Date Location Do's and Don'ts
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When selecting a location for your first date, you might want to be careful. There’s always the generic movie or dinner, of course, but if you want to be sure to make a good impression and ensure a great date, here are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when arranging your first date.
- Do keep it public to ensure both of your comfort. Unless you already know your date well, having your date in a private place like your own home or another secluded area could make either or both of you uncomfortable.
- Do keep it casual so you can get to know one another. Formal first dates may not allow you enough freedom to truly be yourselves, or to dress comfortably enough to not be a hot mess during your date.
- Don’t go to the zoo, fishing, or the circus unless you know for sure that your date is okay with it. Many people are against these activities, particularly vegetarians, and you should make sure that your date is comfortable before attending one of these events. A good rule of thumb is to make this your second date, after you find out more about the person.
- Do get your date’s input. Don’t assume that he or she will like bowling or hiking, for example. Just ask first. The last thing you want is someone puking on you during a first date!
- Don’t be one of those, “Oh, you pick!” people. We all know how annoying that is! Instead, say something like, “Did you have a special place in mind?” or offer your own suggestions. If you are asked to choose, have a few places in mind that you know are hits that you would enjoy showing off to your date.
- Do have a backup plan. If it rains, you’ll want an indoor place as backup if your first choice was a park, for example.
- Don’t choose activities your date absolutely does not want to do for his or her own good. It’s not your job to help someone overcome a phobia, or to enrich his or her world with your awesome tennis or rowing skills. If he or she really doesn’t want to do something, compromise on something else; you don’t want to alienate someone so quickly, especially if he or she turns out to be the love of your life!