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or hoodies. Obviously, your attire will be largely determined by the weather, but make sure your shirt either has buttons or is a sweater.
3. Don't try to make a fashion statement. Just wear something you know is slylish, fits you, and won't draw any unusual attention. She doesn't want to be on a date with a clown. By all means, be yourself, unless you're Kanye West, in which case, be Will Smith.

4. Don't wear cologne. Just don't. It's tacky. It has never helped anybody get a second date and the only possible outcome is that either you put too much on and come across like a desperate moron who thinks cologne is going to get him laid or she doesn't like the smell of your cologne in the first place. Be clean, wear clean clothes and have a breath mint ready at all times and you'll smell just fine.

Also, you might want to give yourself an extra once-over in the mirror, just to make sure you don't have nostril hairs sticking out or something.

Now that you're dressed appropriately, you need to think about the way you're going to behave tonight. Some considerations are your level of flirtation, your language, topics you'd like to discuss and/or avoid and your level of chivalry. You're on your own with these. Know your strengths and roll with them. If you're uncomfortable being the romantic, don't try to be. If you're not funny, give her a compliment instead of telling a joke.

In general, curb your language on the first date, and don't talk about your exes, political viewpoints or sports. Compliment her at least two times, but not more than four. You're going to have to give the standard, "you like nice tonight" line at first, but that's a given. You need to sprinkle in something more specific later on, something about her hair or her laugh or something. It doesn't really matter, as long as it's specific to her and isn't sexual. Don't do this more than twice, though. Then you're just trying too hard and it will make her uncomfortable.

And don't complain about stuff. Nobody wants to hear you whine. And if it seems like you're not having a good time, it will seem like you don't like her.

Obviously, you're going to be putting on some fronts, but don't try to rewrite your personality in one day.

Learn more about this author, T.A. O'Malley.
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