Few
things in life can be so intimidating as a first date —
especially when going in blindly, with only a few exchanged
emails or telephone calls. Without a little careful planning,
the tension of a first meeting can cause a potentially
compatible couple to spontaneously combust in twenty minutes
or less.
Think about it. You’d never enter a job interview without
a little preparation and attention to detail. Why should love
be any different? You can’t just wing it, or you’re doomed
to fail. Strategy counts on love’s battlefield, too. So pay
careful attention to these four basic first-date moves, and
the first introduction could lead to love.
- Make your approach.
Swap at least a couple photos before making plans to meet.
Because you’ve got plenty of stress ahead for the
evening, why worry about approaching the wrong person or
missing your date entirely? It’s no shock that most
people choose their best shot for a profile and may look
slightly different offline. Be prepared for two problems
that may arise: Mistaken preliminary attraction and many
awkward moments spent scanning the faces of complete
strangers. Before you go, make sure you know your date’s
true identity. Give details on how to find each other,
reveal your clothing plans, top your duds with a bright
tie or scarf.
- Talk to me.
You’ve set aside time to spend with a relative stranger,
so how do you plan to spend it? Talk! Regardless of
whether or not the attraction translates from online to
off, be friendly, be attentive and be inquisitive. Arm
yourself with tons of questions about career, hobbies,
family and interests. When your date reciprocates with a
query of his or her own, go out of your way to avoid
one-word responses. Don’t be shy; don’t hold back.
You’re there to learn about one another. Your
match is on Match.com