How to Act on a First Date

You know what always ticked me off? I would ask people for advice on how to act on a first date and all I ever got was "'Be Yourself."

Well, I will tell you and you can choose to follow my advice or not, but at least I am giving you more than "Be Yourself."

1) Do not go to a movie. Just don't.

2) Make it a lunch date. It's a first meeting. It doesn't need to be long. This way you are forced to go back to work and not stay trying to prolong the date.

3) Greet them, if you want, with a short hug.

4) Do not show you are nervous. Showing you are nervous only gives the illusion(see other blogs for meaning of this term) power.

5) A light touch now and then is okay, but that is it. You are just their date, a relative stranger, don't show affection until they've shown it to you.

6) Ask them questions, smile, be fun and make sure they are having fun. Obviously, avoid serious topics and steer clear of past relationship talk.

7) Do not kiss on the first date no matter how much you like the person. If you do, you will imagine kissing them again and long for a second date that may never happen.

8) If at any point during the date, they pull out a cell phone and start talking or texting leave. I'm serious. If they are inconsiderate enough to do this, then they have no respect for you and obviously aren't very interested, so leave.

9) If at any point you notice a major red flag such as extreme rudness or filth, leave.

10) If they do not ask for a second date at the end of the first one, move on. Do not waste your time waiting to be asked out again, or asking people why they haven't asked you out, or begging the illusion to take you out again. Yes, it hurts but just be grateful you aren't wasting anymore time on the person who isn't the one for you.

It is just a first date. If you have followed the advice on my "How Not To Get Hurt" blog then you haven't spent any time obsessing over the person or the date. You showed up looking your best, you didn't act nervous, you asked them questions, had fun, gave them a hug goodbye and said " Call me" so they know you want another date. That is all you can do. If after a week, they haven't asked you out, please forget them and move on.

If you feel hurt, then read my "How to get over a Broken Heart" blog. In short, don't spend a second in sadness over someone who isn't the one for you.