First date in a while - tips?

Be yourself and don’t be nervous!

Don’t try to be something you are not.

and I hope you get laid tonight.

Being early is better than being late.

Discussing what is important and fun is okay but don’t put all your cards on the table just yet- medications, ex’s, gripes of alimony, child support, finances, etc.

Be nice to the server at the restaurant. It’s a good indicator of how you treat people in general.
Compliment her on how she looks no more than twice. Most girls like hearing it, but I think a guy who says it over and over is obnoxious.
Be yourself. :)

Don’t forget the condoms!!! :-/

Since I’ve been there and done that (and still doing it), do all of the above (except the getting laid part—forget the condoms).

Do not talk about your ex, past relationships or marriages. Stick to current events; what you do for a living; and what the other person does for a living. Ask questions in a non-interrogating way because everyone loves to talk about themselves. Stay positive; make good eye contact; smile a lot; and don’t wear overpowering perfume/aftershave. Above all expect nothing and just have fun.

A movie for a first date? I’m so against that. Aren’t you going out with this person to get to know them? You can’t get to know someone when you can’t talk!

Be yourself. Have a glass of wine (ONE glass, just to calm your nerves, not get drunk) before meeting with them. Remember that (s)he’s going to like you for you, so don’t try to be someone you’re not.

@Samantha_Rae We’re going to dinner first.

@Evil_Giraffe: I know, I read… I just don’t get the dinner and a movie thing. I’d opt for something like dinner and a walk, or a coffee house, or even just walking around an outdoor or indoor mall. That’s just me!

Wear deodorant, plenty of dedorant. i had a date(many moons ago)with a girl that forgot to put on deodorant. it was a smelly night and a smelly date. i froze her to death by keeping the car window down for fresh air.

@john65pennington: no way! Did you tell her she was smelly? Or did you just pretend to be hot so you could leave the windows open??

@Samantha_Rae I’m usually against movie dates while getting to know someone too. @Evil_Giraffe If you guys are still really enjoying each other’s company after the movie, you could suggest getting coffee or a drink or ice cream after.
Also, I forgot to say in my first answer to remember your manners. You don’t have to go over the top (like pulling a chair out for her personally, that makes me feel awkward), especially if it’s just not who you are. But open doors, ask her which side of the table she wants to sit at, that kind of thing. Good luck :)

@Samantha_Rae I think the movie idea is a good fall back for after dinner. If they get along great then they can always change their plans and have dessert or coffee somewhere. If they don’t hit it off so well they can focus on the movie then be done forever.

If it’s not too late for the suggestion, would you consider a movie first and then dinner? A late-afternoon movie, say 4:30 or 5 pm, followed by dinner at a comfortable, nice but not too fancy place sounds appealing to me. That way you don’t have to keep an eye on the time all through dinner and rush off at a certain time. The movie gives you a topic of dinner conversation right off the bat, whether you liked it or not. Keeping it an early evening, saying good-night around eight or nine, is kind of nice and low on pressure.

If by chance you hit it off amazingly and want to stretch the date, there’s plenty of time for that.

Go to sushi since that is trendy. Also, get frozen yogurt after the movie since girls love sweets/ healthy food.

@Jeruba—+1 on movie first—especially if you don’t know the other person particularly well (blind date, etc). If you’re not graced with the gift of gab, seeing the movie first gives you a natural way to get the conversational ball rolling (and an easy recovery topic if you stumble into an awkward silence).