It’s time for the big date! The FIRST date. Immediately, the expectations start rolling in. It should be interesting, to get to know someone new, right? You should be able to tell on Date #1 whether or not they’re worth (and deserving of) your time, right? You would think that after spending an ENTIRE meal with someone you’d know whether or not they’re “marriage material”, right?
Wrong. Wrong. And wrong.
Having expectations for a first date is sure-fire way to ensure dating disaster. How can you place so much pressure on one interaction with someone brand new? Can you REALLY tell from one date whether or not you are going to walk down the aisle with someone? No. And to think that will ultimately end many really, really good potential relationships before they have the chance to start.
Next time you have a first date, let this be what guides you, and your decision whether or not to go on a second date:
Did you enjoy yourself enough to want to repeat it?
That’s it. No giant secret recipe or long list of tips. Just that. Beyond that, you could also ask yourself if you were intrigued – even a little bit – in getting to know them a little better? Remember that, like a job interview, not everyone “interviews” well. They could be nervous, or quiet at first, or intimidated… or exhausted, or had a bad day. Don’t dismiss someone just because it wasn’t mind-blowing and Earth-shattering. If it wasn’t horrible, do it again! THEN you can make a more informed decision, based on more than one experience.
Who knows – that person you almost didn’t see again could end up being the best thing that ever happened to you!
