11 Tips for a Successful First Date

Be on Time
Guys: 5 minutes one way or the other is no big deal, but don't leave her waiting too long. She’s just going to keep fussing in front of the mirror and start getting agitated.

Girls: We’ve learned to accept a few minutes on the couch while you do some last-minute whatever-it-is-you-do, but don't leave us there for too long. We get bored easily and are going to start looking around.

Be Clean, Be Well-Groomed, Smell Good
Guys: Take a shower, shave, comb your hair, and wear unwrinkled clothes that have not been worn since they were last washed. She'll notice.

Girls: You pretty much have this one figured out, although I would caution against too much of a good thing. Keep the perfume down to a squirt or two.

Show Manners
Guys: Open doors, pull out chairs, walk on the street-side of the sidewalk, and all those other things your mom taught you to do.

Girls: Let us open doors, pull out chairs, and walk on the street-side of the sidewalk like our mothers taught us to do. Just smile or say "Thanks", you can tell us all about outdated gender roles next month while we're changing your wiper blades or killing a spider.

Talk about Them
Guys: We tend to think that keeping a woman constantly entertained with our unbelievably interesting (to us) stories and lives will impress them. This is not the case. A few stories are great, because she does want to get to know you, but remember to ask as much as you answer.

Girls: Same advice as for the guys, although you tend not to make that mistake as much. If he keeps talking about himself, try to change the subject to a neutral topic. If he doesn’t get the hint, well, it's just another hour, right? Plan your schedule for tomorrow.

Communicate Plans
This one is for the guys. When guys have plans with someone and the person mentions upon arrival that it will be cold where we're going, we say "Ok" and grab a jacket. This does not work for women. They put much more thought into these things than we know and need to have the information in advance to plan the right outfit.

Smile, Relax
You're supposed to be having a good time, take a deep breath and relax. Don't bombard your date with question after question; if you treat a first date like an interview you will not get the job.

Eyes on your Date
Occasional glances around the room are fine, but oggling the waiter or hot girl at the next table is a sure way to kill the date. Plus, rudeness aside, do you really think gawking at a hottie while you're with someone else is going to make them want you? "Hey look, I could be ignoring you like I am my current date, wanna go out?" Uh...no.

Limit the Drinks
Guys: After 6 drinks your stories are really only more entertaining to you, and she'll start getting nervous about the drive home. 2 drinks max.

Girls: He'll think you're a party girl and categorize you as a short-termer. You will reinforce this notion by making out with him in the parking lot, the first of many poor decisions.

Compliments are Good
Guys: Don't be afraid to compliment her a few times during the date, she’ll like it. But don't make every compliment about her beauty, she will not like it. Girls want to know that you're interested in more than just the physical, which we sort of are, right? A little? When you pick her up, tell her she looks beautiful, tell her she looks great, but after that focus more on her accomplishments, goals, sense of humor, or whatever.

Girls: Just like you're touchy about guys only being interested in the physical, we get a little nervous about girls going for the money. If we have it, don’t dwell on it. Other than that, we're not opposed to flattery.

Don't Talk about Money
Guys: Don’t brag about your money, salary, or possessions. This is so tacky.

Girls: Don't ask all of those little questions you do to figure out our income bracket. We notice and we do not appreciate it.

The Guy Pays
Guys: When the bill arrives, subtly slide it to your side of the table without breaking the conversation (you are smooth). If she offers to pay, politely decline. You asked her out, you're paying. If she asked you out, you're still paying. That's life.

Girls: When he goes to pay the bill, ask the amount and offer to pay for half. When he declines say "Thank you" or offer once more to be polite, but be careful, a third offer and he may take you up on it. If his paying makes you uncomfortable, treat him to dessert.