You're standing at the entrance of a restaurant. Your palms are sweaty. Your head filled with confusing, terrified thoughts. You're half considering just bolting for your car and never coming back.
Yep, you're probably on a first date.
Don't worry so much, though. As nerve-wracking an experience it is trying to impress a guy or a gal, the experience really isn't as difficult as it seems - especially if all you'll be doing over the course of the night is talking to one another. Conversation is a great way to get to know about a person and increase the chances of a second date.
Hold your horses before you go charging in, though. There are a few guidelines you need to follow before you open your gob. First date etiquette is very important if you want to impress the other person, and if you start talking as though you were addressing an old college buddy you're bound to get in trouble.
Here are a few tips that might help get through the conversation and, hopefully, open the door for future outings.
1.) Be polite. Show that person all the courtesies, perhaps even more, that you'd expect of anyone else. Let them finish their sentences, don't talk with your mouth full, don't interrupt their stories and toss in lots of 'please's and 'thank you's. A little gentility goes a long way in impressing a lady or lad.
2.) Don't talk about yourself. Not exclusively, anyway. The ideal first dater will be extremely interested in what their date has to say, and constantly be asking questions about their hobbies, likes and dislikes, whatever you can think of that's politic for a first meeting. If all you do is brag about your own accomplishments you can be guaranteed that the first date will be the only date.
3.) Give them your full attention. Lean forward, keep your eyes on theirs and don't let your mind wander. Hang on their every word and show that you value their brain. Not only is this polite, it'll clue you in to different places you can take the conversation, and keeping a date's lips flapping is an easy way to have a good night.
4.) Turn your cell phone off. You're there to talk to the person across from you, not some pal looking to shoot the breeze. Even allowing the phone to ring is probably enough to kill a conversation. (On the flip side, your willingness to just shut your phone off without even seeing who it is might impress your date - as long as all you do with the phone is shut it off.)
5.) Keep your eyes on their head. Guys, this is mainly for you. Don't drift downwards. Any adult with half a brain knows what I'm talking about here, so I'll leave it at that.
6.) Avoid certain topics of conversation. Politics, religion and past girlfriends or boyfriends are all topics you'll want to avoid. Keep the conversation light and fun, and save those more serious topics for later dates when you're starting to get more serious.
It's of utmost importance that you keep your date consistently engaged in a conversation. Show your interest and keep them talking as much as you possibly can. You'll know you're succeeding if they're smiling and laughing, as both are sure signs that they're enjoying your company - which is, of course, the key to a second date.