First date rules

Five golden rules to ensure that your date is memorable for all the right reasons...

09:20 16 November 2005

Most couples are nervous on their first date, particularly if they are very keen.

Unfortunately, what you say and do on your first night out could make or break a relationship.

Follow our five golden rules to ensure that your date is memorable for all the right reasons!

1. Don't bring along your ex
   Not literally of course; the last thing you should do when embarking on a new relationship is to drag out the ghosts of relationships past by telling your date why it went wrong with your last partner, the awful things they did or said. All it says to your date is that you're not ready to move on.
2. Don't talk his ear off
   There's no faster way to put a guy off then by prattling non-stop. When you're chatting, make sure it's two-way communication. Don't dominate the conversation. Instead, engage your date by asking a few questions about him. Communication is really the key, so make sure you each find out a little about each other.
3. Watch your body language
   Want to spook him off? Look at the floor, slump like a hunchback and never sit facing him. The key to good body language is to maintain good eye contact, relax and smile.
4. Don't drink too much
   Some girls might mistake a generous display of drinking as evidence of being fun-loving. But one sure way to make a less-than-sparkling first-date impression is to slam down the booze like a pro. Nobody likes a date who slurs their words and needs to be carried out to a cab.
5. Never mention marriage
   It can be touchy talking about this stuff with a long-term boyfriend, but a first date? Yikes.