When you’re relatively new to the dating scene, the prospect of it can be both scary and exciting. Obviously we get told 'The Rules', but from my own dating experience I've picked up some pretty useful tips - and they're not necessarily what you'd expect...Enjoy!
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If YOU WANT to KISS THEM, do IT!
Kissing on a first date is often made out to be the worst thing you can possibly do, but it really isn't. I'd read articles and posts saying 'don't kiss, don't kiss!' but at the end of the day, it's down to how you feel. On a couple of my first dates I really liked the guy so I did kiss him. If you don't feel comfortable kissing on your first date, you don't have to, but don't convince yourself it's a bad thing to do.
TALKING about YOUR EX ISN'T NECESSARILY a NO-GO
OK, when I say this I don't mean drop your ex into every conversation or go into all the ins and outs of your relationship - for example why it didn't work out, what you loved about him etc. - but mentioning your ex isn't that bad. All the dates I've been on we've discussed how long we've been single for and how long we were with our exes. Everyone has a past and it can be good to have some context about the person you're on a date with.
DON'T GET TOO EXCITED
Sure, you're obviously going to be excited but try not to build up your hopes too much because it can really hurt if something goes wrong - they may not be the person you expect them to be or even worse, they may cancel at the last minute or stand you up. Be excited but try and also be realistic.
DON'T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS in ONE BASKET
You may have gone on a first date with someone and it went amazingly well and you want to see them again and that's great - just don't make them your be-all and end-all. There's no guarantee it'll all work out and you also need to figure out what else is out there for you. The great thing about dating is that it's not exclusive so date a few different people then assess your options!
IT'S a CLICHÉ, but BE YOURSELF
We can go crazy before a date - all the articles online say make sure you're mirroring their movements, make sure you're touching your hair etc., etc. ... I don't live by this at all. If I have a date I'm completely myself and I don't overthink every little thing I'm doing - then I know that if they say they like me, they like the real me.
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