How to Plan a First Date

Firsts are important. A first impression, first laugh and first kiss--these all define a budding relationship. Take your time when planning your first date. You will not get a second chance.

Instructions

1. Consider your relationship. A candlelight dinner and then a walk on the beach may be too intimate for someone you just met. It depends on how forward or interested you want to seem.

2. Find out common interests. Unless your date is eager to experience something unfamiliar, it's best to stick with something you'll both enjoy. You may have excellent chemistry, but if she's bored out of her mind at the boxing match she might not notice you are a catch.

3. Pick something active. Try some activity where you can still interact with your date. Make sure it's something that will keep you busy enough or provide conversation pieces so that it won't be awkward.

4. Pick something memorable. Of course, it may be memorable simply because sparks fly. But it will be even better if he or she remembers this date for the rest of her life because it was special and exciting.

5. Avoid a dull night out. Strike a balance between comfortable and boring. If you met the person at work, don't do something even remotely work related.

6. Choose a time that is not so far away that they forget how great you are but not so soon that you seem eager and desperate. Let some anticipation set in.

7. Be sure you have ample time to prepare for your date. Leave the ending time open in case you want to spend more time together or need an out if the date is a fiasco.

8. Be specific. Let them know where you will meet or when you will pick them up. There's nothing more stressful than having to wait or getting lost. It'll sour the mood for the rest of the date.

9. Confirm reservations in advance. If your date is absent-minded, it might not be a bad idea to call the day before or the day of to confirm your date and see if you are still on.

Tips & Warnings

• Be flexible. Don't start off your relationship being a control freak. Be open-minded and enthusiastic.

• Don't try to recreate your first meeting, either. You may have had a nice time at the bowling alley when you first met, but try to kick it up a notch.

• Have fun!

• Don't be too passive. There's nothing worse than the "I don't know. What do you want to do?" game.

• Don't order messy food. Avoid food that will give you bad breath or gas.