FirstDateMaker.com

You’ve had your first date, and it’s coming to an end. Suppose you like her and would like to continue dating her – how should you end this first date? You might be wondering about a kiss versus a handshake and how to set yourself up for another date.

You may also be wondering if she likes you and wants to go out again, too. Assuming that you have both had fun, you can end the first date on a high note and set the foundation for the next date. Here are some tips:

If you’re dropping her off at home, walk her to her door. Tell her that you’ve had a great time and that you really enjoyed her company. If you think she had an equally good time, tell her that you would like to call her in a few days and get together again soon (if she says “okay,” make sure you call when you say you will).
If you met somewhere for your date and are leaving separately, walk her to her car and do the same thing. Hold her car door open for her and tell her what a great time you had.
If she’s giving you the right signals, you can try for a kiss, but if you’re unsure, don’t risk it. She will still like you if you don’t kiss her – in fact she might like you better, thinking that you’re a perfect gentleman. By not kissing her, you’re also leaving her with a bit of a mystery.
Above all, make sure you end the date on a high note with you escorting her to her door or car and letting her know how much you enjoyed the date. Ask if you can call in a day or two and then make sure you follow through.

What if the date didn’t go so well? What if you think she’s okay, but you don’t intend to ask her out again? Don’t make the blunder of saying “I’ll call you.” That’s the absolute wrong thing to do. Try these tips for ending a not-so-great first date:

Remember to be a gentleman. You can still walk her to her door or to her car and make sure she gets in safely.
Tell her that you enjoyed meeting her and try to think of something you talked about that you can mention, like “I hope your job interview goes well on Monday. Good luck!” Leave things on a positive note.
If she seems like she wants a kiss, offer a hug at the most.
If she says, “Call me,” or, “Let’s get together again soon,” let her down gently by saying something like, “I’ve had a really nice time, but I don’t think we’re a romantic match.”  She might look disappointed and she might even seem a bit angry, but it’s better than lying.

It’s easy to end a first date with someone you want to see again, and it’s not really too bad learning how to end a first date with someone you haven’t any interest in seeing again. Either way, be a nice guy. She will appreciate it.

You’re planning to invite her out for your first date. If you’ll be inviting her to join you for something you’re already going to, you don’t need to worry about what to do. If you don’t have something planned, you need to figure out now what your first date will be.

You want to choose something that’s going to be fun for you both and which will give her a chance to see your most interesting and attractive side. You don’t want the date to be something that’s going to put a lot of pressure on either of you. First dates should be easy and casual.

One good way to plan a first date is to plan it for the day, rather than the evening. This gives the date a more casual feel and allows you to do things that make it very easy and comfortable for getting to know each other.

Such dates could be seeing a museum exhibit together, lunch, visiting a local amusement park or biking at the nature center. Choose something that you’ll both enjoy, based on what you know about her likes and dislikes.

Daytime dates are a good way to start things off, and if you find that you’re really having a great time, you can always extend it into the evening by suggesting you get dinner. If you’re planning on having an evening date for your first get together, you can always go for the traditional dinner and a movie, and that’s fine – it’s tried and true, but it’s a long time to sit with someone silently (in the theater).

Still, these types of dates often work well. Just be sure to choose a movie that she’ll like. If she tells you she hates horror movies, don’t take her to see the latest psycho-axe murderer flick. It will probably be your last date. Other good evening dates can be sports events, plays or concerts (but again, that’s a long time without any conversation), or a drink at the local piano bar.

Whatever you choose for your first date, it will be in your best interest to not make it too romantic. You’re still getting to know each other and pouring on the romance may scare her off.

You can do all the gentlemanly things that most women appreciate, such as opening her car door. Those gestures are usually welcomed. As far as physical contact, you might want to hold off on trying to hold her hand or kissing her until the next date.

If you lightly put your hand on the small of her back while escorting her to your table or theater seats, that’s probably okay, but if you sense her tensing up when you do that, stop immediately.

Just remember, when you’re choosing an activity for your first date, it’s often easier to start with something casual during the day. The pressure is off and you and she can relax and enjoy yourselves. Whether your date is during the day or in the evening, remember, it’s only the first date, so don’t go overboard with romantic gestures or attempted physical contact.

If a first date brings to mind a picture of you at her doorstep with a dozen roses and a box of candy, you may need a new picture. The question of what to “bring” to a first date should never be answered with a box of candy and a dozen roses.

That’s too much, too soon. However, you can bring a small token gift if you want to, and there are other, non-gift things that you should always bring to a date. Let’s look at them.

Forget being lavish on the first date, or the second or the third. If you want to show up with a gift, then bring something small, subtle and nice. Ideas for good first date gifts are: one beautiful flower (go to the florist and pick one out – and have them wrap it in nice paper). Other nice small gifts could be a bottle of wine, if she’s a wine drinker, or some specialty dog or cat treats if she has pets. You can be creative but just don’t go overboard. It’s a first date, and you two don’t know each other that well yet.
Unless you’re sure she’ll want to pay her share of everything, make sure you’ve got enough money to cover any expenses. As your dating relationship continues, she’ll (hopefully) offer to split costs.
You don’t have to be a cover model for GQ. You do have to make your best effort at wearing something that’s appropriate for the date, and being very clean and well groomed. You don’t necessarily have to go out and buy new clothes, but just make sure you look well put together. Look like yourself, but your best self.
If you feel like wearing some cologne, just a tiny bit is enough. Don’t take a bath in your cologne.  Some people are sensitive to perfumes and colognes and you don’t want to send her into a sneezing, eye-watering fit.
A sincere interest in getting to know her better. You’re going to win lots of points by making sure you don’t do all the talking and that you’re asking her about herself, her interests and her goals, and then listening intently and learning about her.
Bring your best manners. Open doors for her and treat her and everyone you run into such as the valet, the waiter, the person at the ticket booth or other drivers with respect.

There are a few things that you should definitely not bring to a first date. Among these are expectations of sex, a negative attitude, stories about your exes, a lack of manners, or the habit of answering your cell phone and chatting with your friends when you’re supposed to be paying attention to her.

Making a good first date impression involves balancing your desire to impress with common sense. She’ll find that your efforts to look great and show her respect will far outweigh the value of any huge bouquet that’s unnecessary at this point anyway. Save the roses for your first anniversary.