First Date Advice: Beating the Dating Jitters
Seeking first date advice is a great way to make sure you stay cool in the face of jittery nerves when it comes to that all important first date. So you’ve got the first date jitters and need some first date advice? Relax! Dating is just like driving a car… well, not exactly, but once you get past the first few dates, it becomes second nature. Being nervous is natural but it’s important not to let your worries get the better of you. At the end of the day, a date is just like any other meeting with a friend. What’s the worst thing that can happen? Lots if you aren’t smart about it!
Essential first date advice includes not dominating the conversation, or being so shy that your date goes home not knowing whether you like him/her or not! Think of a first date as an opportunity to get to know the person you’re interested in a little better and remember; he or she is probably just as nervous as you. In the early days, dating may seem far from enjoyable but in time and with some good first date advice, you will completely relax and begin to enjoy each other’s company. Until that time, don’t let your date cross any boundaries that you aren’t comfortable with. Defining boundaries (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and financial) ahead of time is a key component to safe dating. Brainstorm with a trusted, healthy adult to help define your boundaries in advance.
First Date Advice: Be Yourself
Some golden first date advice is this: don’t pretend to be someone you are not. If the person you are dating doesn’t get a chance to really know who you are, then how can you be sure they really like you? Don’t try to impress your date with exaggerated stories; just relax and be yourself! Putting on a fake personality or telling untruths about yourself, what you’ve accomplished and who you essentially are is only going to create false expectations. “Oh, I just love hockey! I go all the time!” Truth? You’ve been once to a pee-wee hockey game to watch your 7-year-old cousin play. When you fail to meet those expectations at a later stage in your relationship you are both going to wonder where on Earth you missed the right turn-off! So my first date advice would be to never keep the ‘real you’ from the guy or girl you like. This by no stretch of the imagination means that you should burp at the dinner table like you do at home in front of your little brother! It means that you should be honest about yourself to your partner from the beginning. If they’re right for you, then they will adore you for who you are.
First Date Advice: Getting Ready
As any teenage dating blog will tell you: your date won’t be impressed if you are late because you had to restyle your hair for the zillionth time! So make sure you set aside sufficient time to get ready. You should also take pride in your appearance. While beauty may be skin-deep, the way you present and care for yourself says a lot about how you feel about you! People with low self-esteem tend to be sloppy about the way they dress and about their personal grooming. Think of the condition of a car – burger-bags on the floor and bird-doo on the windshield are not the best way to impress. If you take the time to dress respectably, to comb your hair nicely, brush up your grill and stink pretty, it will contribute to his or her overall attraction to who you are as a person. My first date advice: take care to look and smell good, and don’t keep him or her waiting!
First Date Advice: A Final Note
Think of your first date as a similar experience to the first time you climb behind the wheel of a car. It can be really intimidating and nerve-wracking. But, while it is your first time in control of the wheel, it isn’t your first exposure to driving. You’ve been learning to steer, look both ways at intersections and master the brakes since you first got on a bicycle! Dating starts off the same way – you spend years learning how to build relationships before you actually go on your first date. Knowing that you have all that experience to rely on, as well as this first date advice, you should be able to cope absolutely fine. Loosen the grip on that wheel a bit and you might be surprised at how smoothly the date goes.