The Dating Game: The 10 Do's and Don'ts of Going on a Great First Date
DO: Make sure you show up on time. And by "on time," we mean "15 minutes early."
These days, you have approximately 35 different ways to tell time. You've got a watch on your wrist, a cell phone in your pocket, a navigation system in your car, and...oh, you get the point! And yet, folks are still showing up to dates at a quarter-past your date being pissed off because you're late! Yo, show up on time! And, if you're not, the very least you can do is Google "excuses for being late for a date" before you show up.
Dating Tip 1
Dating Tip 2
DON'T: Send out tweets while you're on a date.
Nothing says, "You're not getting a second date," like sending out a tweet that says, "Yo, this girl is kinda bad. #takingherhometonight." You do realize that even if your date isn't following you on Twitter, they're probably Googling your Twitter handle as soon as they get home, right?
Dating Tip 3
DO: Suggest something other than just dinner and a movie.
Dinner and a movie used to be a really great date. In 1968. Seriously, can't you think of anything else you'd like to do with a date? Er, anything except that, of course (wink, wink—naaaaaaah mean?!). And "drinks" don't count, either. Unless you're, like, 22. The only exception to this rule: If you're taking your date to see Think Like a Man. You could both learn a thing or two from watching that...
Dating Tip 4
DON'T: Sip more than one Coco Loso on a first date.
Even if you are 22 as we suggested in the last "Do," it's never a good idea to crack a bottle on a first date. Why? Well, this should go without saying, but as the drinks keep going down, so will your inhibitions. Which means you might have a REALLY good first date—which you probably won't remember—and no second date, because, well, let's face it: Very few people who do the "walk of shame" on the first date are considered "marriage material." You might get a really faithful "text buddy" out of the deal, though! Whether you like it or not...
Dating Tip 5
DO: Give your date a compliment or two.
And we don't mean, 'Wow, you look even better in person than you do in your Facebook photo!' Don't be shy. Everybody's too cool to offer up a genuine compliment these days. So doing so can earn you some major brownie points in the dating world these days.
Dating Tip 6
DON'T: Check the score of the big game during your date.
C'mon, fellas. By now, you've seen that commercial where dude is checking the score of the game at the dinner table, right? We know you've become an expert at balancing your iPhone on your knee at juuuuuuust the right angle so that you can stay updated during dinner. But, do yourself a favor and hit the restroom if you really need to know the score that bad. 'Cause if she catches you doing it? Game OVER!
Dating Tip 7
DO: Offer to foot part of the bill—regardless of whether you're a male or a female.
We said OFFER. Most likely, if you're dating a gentlemen (notice we said if), he'll pick up the tab. But he'll also recognize the fact that you at least made a the offer and he'll appreciate it. Or, he'll stick you with the entire bill and then you'll know not to go out with him ever again. And, trust us: You're getting off cheap if that happens.
Dating Tip 8
DON'T: Keep your cell phone ringer turned on if "Rack City" is your ringtone.
Whether you're a male or a female, the person you're on a date with is going to think a lot of different things if you've got Tyga's strip club anthem blaring from your smart phone's speakers. None of those things are going to be good things. And none of them are going to lead them to ask you out on a second date. So, please: Put your phone on vibrate! Or prepare to be judged...
Dating Tip 9
DO: Pay attention when the other person is talking.
We know this is difficult for some of you. You're used to playing Words With Friends against 30 people at a time as you shoot off 75 text messages per minute and send tweets about how awesome it is to be you right now. But, slow down, shut your mouth, and try listening to the person you're out on a date with. You'll find that it's remarkably refreshing. And, believe us: Your Twitter followers will be able to go an hour or two without you RTing Rev Run every ten minutes. As a matter of fact, stop doing that altogether. No one likes that guy and, from the sounds of things, you're him.
Dating Tip 10
DON'T: Text message them, send them a Facebook message, @ them, or try adding them to your Google+ circle the minute you get home.
Wait a day or two...and then call them. We know! A phone call! CRAZY! But it's a lot more personal than finding them on Facebook or tracking them down on Twitter to try and arrange a second date. And, if they don't answer your call or get back to you within a couple of days? On to the next one. We told you this dating stuff was fun, right? Have fun!
