Going on a date doesn’t need to be nerve racking. You deserve a pat on the back for the fact that you have already come this far. But before you get yourself prepped up you need to know a few things which will either make or break you date.  Even though there are no hard and fast rules on how to behave during a date, it would be a good thing to follow a few guidelines.  That way you can go into the date feeling confident and prepared for any eventuality.

Be yourself

This is such an obvious one but you will be surprised how many people get this wrong right from the beginning.  Forget about impressing your date and focus instead on your best qualities and bringing them out in an honest way. Work on your self esteem by doing the things you love because that way your personality will come through when speaking about yourself.

Have Fun

Forget about the classical sit and eat restaurant date. Try something new and exciting. Plan an active date where both of you will be either playing a sport or participating in an activity together. This is a great way to bring out each others character and you will quickly know what they like and don’t like. Try horse riding, bowling, or any activity where you will have lots of fun and laughter.

Tune up your communication skills

It goes without saying that knowing how to communicate effectively will earn you some points on the date. A big part of communication is also listening so don’t go rattling off about yourself without giving the other person a chance to talk. Remember the date is about getting to know each other. Ask questions and respond truthfully. Another tip is to learn to read body language because as we all know, most of our communication is also made with our bodies.

Be clear on your intentions

Because you are now engaged in the dance of dating, you need to have it clear in your mind what you want from the date experience. Maybe you are looking for a long term commitment, or just a friendship. Maybe you are just dating for the sake of meeting interesting people and have no plans to commit. Whatever your intentions, you should communicate them to your date so that both of you are on the same level. Misunderstandings can occur and leave you feeling embarrassed.

Have an open mind

You know there are so many weird and wonderful people out there and you should not make quick judgments on first meeting them. Get to know them better and you might discover your perfect match. Stop thinking about ticking off your list and accept your date’s personality. Dating is a learning experience and in order to meet the right person you need to have the right attitude and think of every date as a chance to meet new people.