First dates are perhaps one of the most difficult hurdles in a new relationship; they are actually more like interviews than social occasions. Unfortunately, they are one of the things that are often left up to a guy to plan which makes them doubly difficult. If you think you can just turn up for a date without any advance planning, you are sadly mistaken. One of the critical things that will determine whether your meeting is a success or a flop is how well prepared you are for it. If you want to give yourself the best possible chance to make a good impression, there are certain basic things that you absolutely must get right. Here are some helpful tips to ensure that your first date goes smoothly.

1. Choose a good location

The better your location, the less you will have to do to make everything go like clockwork. Try to pick a place where you are likely to feel comfortable and relaxed; a favourite restaurant or a picnic in a scenic park usually works well. For goodness sake, don’t have your date somewhere that your mates are likely to be hanging out in; this will inevitably result in disaster before you have even begun.

2. Decide what to wear in advance

If you don’t do this, you will most probably turn up looking as though you have just woken up or just finished a hard day at work. Your appearance is extremely important in the early stages of dating when a woman knows very little about you and it is a great compliment to your date if she feels as if you made an effort to look your best for her.

3. Do your homework on your date partner

The more you know about her, the less likely you are to make any embarrassing faux pas. At the very least, you should know what she works as, if she has been divorced or has any kids. If you are going to meet over a meal, taking the initiative to find out if she has any special dietary requirements is bound to earn you extra brownie points.

4. Brush up on your conversation skills

Try to avoid taking non-stop about yourself but similarly try not to bombard your date with endless prying questions about herself as this can feel a bit intimidating. The art of conversation is about striking a perfect balance and playing it by ear. If you are somewhat nervous, the tendency can be to talk her to death but it is actually better if you slow down and listen to her; ask questions at appropriate intervals to show her that your attention is on her.

Above all else, make a real effort to be yourself as you will find that this will, in turn, cause your date partner to feel more relaxed and open up to you more. Women notice small things and if you take the time to organize things efficiently, it will be greatly appreciated and your reward will hopefully lie in developing a meaningful new relationship.