by Joan Inong

Created on: March 03, 2008

Almost everybody's been there, right? It's your first date and you're at a loss about what to do. As the female in this potential relationship, you're worried about getting food stuck in your teeth, whether your hair came out right or not, and if your outfit matches your shoes. You've probably run past the mirror, through the door, then found yourself looking at the mirror again. You're wondering whether he'll like your choice of movies and if he's into Chinese food. But fear not, fellow dater! Planning a first date doesn't have to signal the end of the world for you. Follow these simple tips and your worries will fade away.

KNOW THE BASICS (ABOUT HIM)
Before you even think about your first date together, you have to know the basics about this guy. What kind of movies does he like? What about his favorite foods? Does he prefer to go out somewhere or would he rather stay at your place? Is he part of the high maintenance club or does he enjoy casual occasions? Keep these things in mind when you're planning that first date. You'll find things to do, and he'll likely enjoy them.

PICK YOUR CLOTHES THE NIGHT BEFORE
Don't spend four hours before the date trying to pick out what you're going to wear. Pick your outfit ahead of time so that you're not likely to change your mind, since you'll have spent about three days picking it out already. You can also choose two or three outfits and try them on the day of the date, if you can't pick just one. This saves you time and effort.

PACK YOUR FLOSS
Even if you're making him a nice dinner at home, make sure that you have floss in the house. Likewise, if you're going out to a restaurant, pack floss with you. Nothing is more embarassing than smiling with food stuck in your teeth. But lucky you; you've got floss!

MAKE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION
You don't need a fancy new haircut for this one, or new make-up techniques. Just stick with your old, time-tested regimens and you'll pull it off. Don't worry too much about your appearance, and just act yourself. He'll think about how you look for the first few minutes, but if you're easygoing and great to talk to, his mind will wander from your appearance to your personality.

MAKE YOUR CHOICES WISELY
If you only want him to keep his eyes on his steak (for now), go out and have fun. Staying at home increases tension and awkwardness because it'll just be you two. If you go out to a restaurant or a park or any other public place, you'll see that it's easier to find things to talk about.

SAY THE RIGHT THINGS
On a first date, never mention the words "kids," "marriage," or "living together." These words will really freak a guy out. Keep your conversation simple and broad; try to ask questions that allow you to have deeper insight about him, such as about his childhood or any of his favorites.

CLEAN YOUR PLACE
If you decide to have the date at your place, make sure that everything's cleaned up. Even if some guys don't pick up after themselves, it doesn't give you an excuse not to. Don't forget to clean up the bathroom, too. This room is the worst culprit in the house, and it's often the most used. It'll add to your "good impressions score" and he won't be afraid to sit on your couch.

With these tips in mind, planning a first date should be simple. You know you want to make the best impression, and you know you want to make things perfect. But, always start with the basics. If you get those right, you'll find that planning the rest of the date comes so much more easily.

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