14 First Date Do’s and Don’ts

Wondering how to get to the second date with someone you met online? Keep reading.

-YourTango.com

As most online daters know, it’s not the first date that’s hard to get — it’s the second. But if you’re dating online because you want a relationship and not just a date, making a connection and getting that second date (and third and fourth) is the whole point.

To find out the secrets to getting a second date, we asked the experts at Perfect Match — a dating site that uses a psychologist-developed compatibility system to match singles — to sound in.

The first secret? Making sure that the dating service you use connects you with highly compatible matches. You should look for a service that matches the “whole” you, not just one part of you, like your appearance or your love for pizza. Perfect Match’s Duet Total Compatibility System, which scores of PhDs have endorsed, delves into the “whole” you — your personality, lifestyle, values and preferences — the key elements that create the most successful, lasting relationships.

The second secret, of course, is making sure the first date goes well! Here’s what you should and should not do in order to get to date number two.

Read Five Great First Date Ideas

Don’t …

1. Be too serious. Yes, you need to talk about serious topics when you’re dating, but on the first date it’s important to keep the conversation pleasant and positive. Ask about hobbies and passions rather than taboo subjects like religion, politics, or money. Keep a sense of humor about the awkwardness of first dates — he’ll definitely sympathize!

2. Try to be funny. It sounds contradictory to our last point, but don’t try to be funny on the date. Don’t try to be anything! Just be yourself. If you’ve been honest on your profile, it’s you that has brought him out on this date, and it’s you that he wants to get to know.

3. Talk about past relationships. This is a big no-no. If your last boyfriend is all you can think to talk about on a date, perhaps you’re not quite ready for dating yet. Take time to get over the last relationship before embarking on the next one.

4. Misrepresent yourself online. If he shows up 20 years older and 75 pounds heavier than his profile states, how are you going to feel about that? The same goes for him. Tell it like it is on your profile. He will love you, warts and all, if he’s the one you’re looking for.

5. Go Dutch. Though some dating sites recommend going Dutch, we say don’t. Modern date etiquette says that whoever proposes the date pays for the date, but be sure to discuss who pays beforehand. Many men feel it’s traditional to pay for dinner, but if you’re a progressive kinda gal, let him know you’d like to pay for date number two. Let him pay first if he insists. Don’t argue about it. Many men may feel awkward if their date pays. For the first date, make him feel as comfortable as possible, and he’ll be more open to letting you pay on the second date.

Read the rest here!