Meeting Your Online Date, Rules of Etiquette
Hi Missy,
I’m so excited! I MAY BE meeting someone this weekend for the first time! I found heron Match. We haven’t set a place yet. Yes, I know…..a public place. She lives about an hour away…..and there’s nowhere in the middle for us to meet, so I will probably go to her town. Any advice you have to give me is greatly appreciated.Thanks…….
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Meeting your online date find for the first time can be a scary experience. However, maybe these dating etiquette rules will help.
First and foremost, dating should be a fun and enjoyable experience. Keeping the atmosphere fun and light is the responsibility of both people, not just the one who suggested the date.
This means that heavy conversations of former relationships, problems with family and children, political and religious debates, etc, should all wait for another time.
There are exceptions to this rule, such as if you met at a church group or a political rally and are almost certain your date shares your views. However, nothing can wreck a date faster than getting into heavy topics before your date is ready to discuss such deep personal issues.
Also, good manners never go out of style. Your date should receive your full attention. Eye contact is crucial, and please, try not to interrupt your date while he or she is talking!
It is common for people to have friends check in periodically via cell phone, especially on a first date or blind date, so try not to be offended if your date’s phone rings. If your phone rings, keep your conversation as short as possible. Great, can you call me later? is all you need to say.
Always remember that your date has made a special effort to look nice for this occasion. Be complimentary and admiring, even if you think his tie is awful or if the color of her dress makes her look seasick.
This is a time for building goodwill and setting the scene for a fun evening. Later, if he wears that tie every time you see him, you might drop a gentle hint or even give him a new tie as a gift. However, the first date isn’t the time for this.
Arguing with the wait staff or being overly picky on a date is a huge turn-off for most people. Getting into a dispute over the service charge or sending back wine because it is not properly chilled can make you seem hyper-critical and judgmental.
Also, many people are turned off by poor tippers. If the service is truly bad, apologize to your date and offer to take her out for dessert or coffee at another establishment, or invite her to a different restaurant the next night. Even in this case, leave at least a fifteen percent tip.
Keeping these general tips in mind will not only lead to a more enjoyable date for you, it will increase your chances of going out on a second date. Have fun, and good luck!
