Social dating advice

First dates are often stressful occasions, but keeping a cool head and treating the event as a social occasion rather than something more serious could help to combat your nerves and get your new relationship started on the right track.



Blind dates and liaisons set up through mutual friends are still commonplace events, but in the modern world, most people have already met prior to their first date - even though this may be online. If you are meeting someone in the 'real world' who you've spoken to on the internet, it's important to look out for your safety and get a good idea about what the person is like, prior to meeting in the flesh. This way, you'll feel more secure and can reduce your chance of disappointment.



An important step to take prior to arranging your first date is to speak on the phone. This doesn't have to be a long or involved conversation - after all, you may wish to preserve the mystery - but speaking to someone on the phone can give you a much more accurate impression of their personality than speaking through instant messaging or email.

The choice of location is another important decision to make, and many people would advise choosing a public location for your meeting, such as a bar or restaurant. A trip to the theatre or cinema can be an enjoyable dating activity and can effectively break the ice, but you won't have as much of a chance to talk to your date as you would in more intimate surroundings. Of course, if you have shared interests such as museums or art galleries, these can be ideal locations for dating too, and will ensure you don't run out of things to talk about.



Although attitudes towards online dating are slowly turning, some people are still concerned when they discover their friends or relatives are planning to meet with people they first met online. For this reason, informing at least one trusted confidante of your plans can be a wise safety measure, so they know where you are in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong. You may also wish to arrange an 'escape plan' with this friend or relative, in case your date turns out to be less than you expected - such as using a secret word when you phone them, or having them call you away at a certain time.