First Date EtiquetteLet's go over some basics of first date etiquette. Because, lets face it, dating can be pretty confusing. I'm not sure if dating was ever completely straight forward, but it certainly isn't these days. When does kissing on a first date make sense? Should the guy pay for the date? What about a gift? These are all good questions that can cause stress on a first date. In the past, courting was a fairly methodical tradition, with many rules in place and hoops to jump through (Ever read pride and prejudice?). But things have changed. Modern dating is now a thoroughly confusing activity, that can make you feel, well...
So, let me start by saying: There exists no perfect guidelines to follow when going on a date. There is no secret first date etiquette guide that God gave to Adam when he asked Eve to go steady. But this is good news! Why? Because you can be 100% confident that you are going about things correctly. With no rules, there are no rules to break. This is the key to a successful first date: You need to have complete confidence in your decisions. Every choice you make will be the right one, if you believe in it 100%. Your confidence will rub off on your date, and you'll both feel like the date is going well. Invent your own first date etiquette, and you can't go wrong. With that said, here's some more practical advice to keep in mind: Should the guy pay? Well, thanks to the women's rights movement, you don't have to. However, on a first date it's never a bad idea to at least offer. It shows that you like the lady, which is important! Chances are if you buy the first round, she'll have the second round waiting when you get back from the bathroom. Should you get her a gift? It's a nice idea, but unless it's her birthday it's probably going to come off as though you're trying too hard. There can be exceptions of course. If the date is going well, and you come across someone selling roses, snatching one up when she's not looking might be a nice gesture. The spontaneous gift will received with genuine appreciation more often than the premeditated one. When does kissing on a first date make sense?
Like i said, there is no perfect answer... You're going to have to feel it out, and decide for yourself the most appropriate time for kissing on a first date. But, consider this bit of advice: If you want to kiss on a first date, you need to slowly break down the physical barrier as the date goes along. This is easiest if you start right at the beginning. When you're walking away from her door, throw your arm around her shoulder. This displays confidence, and shows your affection right from the start. Best of all, if you get it over with in the beginning, when shes not expecting it, you'll avoid doing it awkwardly later in the date when shes thinking, "When's he gonna hold my hand already???" With the physical barrier broken early on, you can easily feel out her response to your physical flirtations as the date progresses. If she's responding affectionately, you can pretty much pick any time to go for the first kiss, and do so with confidence. I find its best to go for it towards the end of the date, but not at the very end. Why? Because the very end of the date is when it's expected, and expectations just make things weird. So, aim a little earlier and surprise her. Try it right when you walk out of the bar... Or right after you get into the car. Afterward, you can chalk it up to not being able to resist any longer. She'll be flattered, and you'll both be relieved you made it through the first date. If you'd like more information on first date etiquette, check out First Date Advice.
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