The same goes for a first date, which is the most nerve-wracking of all for most of us.
While just be yourself is perfectly fine advice, its not the whole story.
Clean up,suit up, and show up to play.
via patticc.com
Too many people go in cold and the awkwardness makes the worst traits come out.
Smell Good
Smell in our brains is tightlytied to memoryand strongly affects our feelings.
You should be smelling like a rose, perhaps literally, but not overdoing it.
Dont bathe in Axe or perfume, merely dab some essential oils or alight aftershaveon.
One of the major problems that people mostly men encounter is going to excess with scents.
Stay Sober
Many of us will reach for social lubricants before or during a date.
Stick to a very smallamount of imbibing, or better yet, forego alcohol altogether.
Blowing a good thing because you got sloppy is a much bigger regret than being too tense.
Prepare for the Best
This means having a condom tuckeddiscreetlyaway just in case.
It also means having a string of plans for the evening should things start going well.
Be ready to load up on ice cream, or whatever it is you do to perform self-care.
If they hate mini-golf and that was your secondary activity, know of other options.
An evening going badly can be quickly saved by proving youre smart and resourceful.
Those are also sexy qualities that can easily save a blowout if you find yourself taking a beating.
Asport coatis plenty casual, and if you throw in apocket square, youre way ahead of the game.
Usually youll want to go with slacks and button-up shirt that fits you well.
Check plans with them in advance so they can veto.
If youre uncomfortable with that, have contingencies in place.
At the start, find something fun that is simultaneously interactive.
Think of a date thats getting hot being interrupted by a text from your mom.
Dont kill the mood, and dont be rude.
No one likes to have their date suddenly get into a Twitter flame war halfway through the entree.
Have enough cash to cover so you know you wont end up out of luck.
Keep The Personal Private
Oversharing will kill a date faster than anything.
Namely, avoid any heavy political leanings, ex partners, or areas that youre sensitive about.
Everyone has baggage, and the first date isnt the time to trot it out.
If youre living in your parents basement, say so if they ask and explain why.
If youre at peace with yourself, theyre more likely to be also.
If not, theyre not right for you.
Dont Force It
If things are going badly, be kind to yourself and the other person.
Its usually no ones fault, its just a bad date.
They happen and theyre learning experiences as much as the good ones.
