We are going to talk about how to get the absolute most out
of your date, no matter how many embarrassing moments you must
suffer through or how the date wraps up. This is all about
your coming home and not feeling the evening was a waste
because you enjoyed yourself, because of, or in spite of, your
date. Your best bet is to not psych yourself into thinking
that the rest of your life depends solely on these next three
hours. Unrealistic expectations will be the death of your
evening, and this single evening should be your only
concern at this point. Enjoy it for what its worth, even if
you can tell that your date is not even close to who with you
want to spend the rest of your life.
First, let’s talk about making the most of the place you
are actually having the date, and given that restaurants are
the most universally popular, let’s start there. We already
talked about how to choose the restaurant, now let’s cover how
to maintain culinary bliss through out the meal. The first tip
would be to order something that does not involve eating with
your hands. First of all it is most likely messy and puts you
in high risk for food ending up in your lap. Second, eating
hand to mouth can put you in “In it for the long haul” mode,
where you rush though your food and sacrifice any well loved
talking with your hands, so as not to lose a grip on your
meal. One small bite at a time will open you up to a steady
flow of conversation, and relax both of you while you can
fully savor your food. It might also be in your best interests
to avoid foods heavy in garlic and onion, and foods easily
caught in your teeth like poppy seeds and corn on the cob, and
also labor intensive foods like whole lobster and snow crab.
O.k. in know that I’m going to lose some of you on this
one, and that is to not have more than one alcoholic beverage
on the first date. With your already heightened nerves you
will find yourself feeling the effects stronger than you would
on any other night, which would bring out that side of you
that does and says things that you would normally never
divulge with someone whom you are not super familiar. The
first date is the time that you want to allow your date to see
your true self , not your drunken self. You also don’t want to
unwittingly take the relationship to a level of intimacy that
it wasn’t ready for, due to the fact that it isn’t even really
a relationship yet!
When I say, enjoy the restaurant experience that means
enjoying your meal also.
Eat! You don’t have to gorge yourself, but savoring the
meal and all of its courses is a big part of having a good
time at a restaurant. I recommend sharing. It ensures the best
of both world and it works those compromise skills that are so
desirable in a relationship. At least share a dessert; that
guarantees a flirty, sensual moment or two when your spoons
clink in the dish. Almost every guy can admit that it is a lot
more attractive, and certainly more comfortable, to be with
someone who is comfortable with ordering want they want and
eating it, then with someone who picks at a small salad
without any dressing as if they’ve been sentenced jail time.
Women are notoriously more critical of their physical selves
than men are of them. Simply make watching what you eat a
matter of health and being good to your self and not a matter
of punishment.
Resign your miser ways and tip well. It is amazing how much
poor tipping seems to be a huge turn off with just about
everyone. For some reason on a date in particular it becomes
less of a reflection of the server’s service and more of a
statement toward the date itself. Don’t ask me why; I know
that the logic is flawed, but your best bet is to tip at least
20%. If the service really sucked, first, why did you take
your date there, and second, tip 15% at the lowest. This calls
attention not to the generosity of monetary means but to the
much more attractive generosity of spirit. Here’s a snazzy
tip, though, for avoiding the awkward paying for the bill
moment. Call or go the restaurant the day before and give them
your credit number and then instruct them to add twenty
percent to the bill for tip. The moment will be as smooth as
glass when you are all done eating and you two can waltz out
of there without a second thought. This is especially great
for women who want to treat a guy to a meal and don’t want to
deal with the post-dinner-fight-for-the-check-scenario. Above
all else thought he preplanning involved in this option will
impress and touch who ever it is that is lucky enough to
benefit.