| If you've been fortunate enough to meet someone | | | | screen for two hours won't accomplish much, so |
| special online, you're probably pretty happy and | | | | save that for further down the line. Instead, dinner |
| looking forward to the time you get to meet him/her | | | | and a nice stroll afterward, or (in bad weather) |
| face to face. But perhaps you're a little bit nervous, | | | | museum or art galleries are good ideas. You will have |
| too. After all, when you're dating online, you can | | | | topics for conversation and plenty of time to stop |
| re-read what you've written before you hit the send | | | | whenever you want to. Sporting events are also |
| button, and when you chat, you aren't making eye | | | | great because they get the adrenalin pumping and |
| contact, so there's still a bit of a cushion between | | | | the excitement is contagious, especially if you share a |
| you and the other person that may make you feel a | | | | passion for the home team. |
| bit safer. You could use your computer while sitting | | | | Don't make the first date intimate, and don't meet |
| around in your favorite sweats and bunny slippers | | | | someplace that isn't public. Until you meet face to |
| and not worry about how you looked. | | | | face, you can't fully gauge someone's intentions, so |
| But the first real, live date in person means that | | | | give yourself the opportunity to observe them in a |
| they're going to see you up-close and personal, and | | | | public setting like a gallery, restaurant or sports arena |
| you suddenly have to think about a whole new set | | | | - they way they act in these places will give you a |
| of issues. What should you wear? Will your laugh | | | | real insight into their character that you just can't get |
| sound horrible? What about your hair (or lack of it)? | | | | emailing or chatting one-on-one online. If it goes well |
| Old insecurities might resurface. The good news is, | | | | and you get a good feeling, move on to more |
| you've already gotten past those first few awkward | | | | private dating situations in the future. |
| conversations that usually doom a blind date because | | | | Keep It Short |
| you've already gotten to know each other. It also | | | | The first date should be short - it keeps the pressure |
| helps to remember that he/she is probably worried | | | | off, and gives you both a chance to review, think |
| about the same things. Just remember that you've | | | | things over and decide what you think before moving |
| already relaxed and talked or emailed and chatted | | | | on to the next date. If a date drags on too long, you |
| with this person, so you're just adding a new | | | | can sometimes do things you might regret later |
| dimension to an already established relationship, not | | | | simply because you didn't know how to end the |
| starting over from square one. | | | | evening. One way to avoid this is to make the first |
| Meet Somewhere Comfortable | | | | date either a lunch date or a date mid-week, when |
| Comfortable means casual - don't blow it by deciding | | | | you know you have to leave early because you |
| to meet at an upscale restaurant where either of | | | | have to be up early for work the next day. This |
| you will be nervous about the numerous forks or | | | | way, either one of you can say, "I'd love to stay |
| interpreting the complicated wine list. Go somewhere | | | | longer, but I really have to go for now. Let's talk |
| that feels relaxed and friendly, making it easier to | | | | tomorrow (or whenever you feel comfortable |
| slide into conversation with the restaurant or cafe as | | | | suggesting) about when we can get together again." |
| the background, not the main event. The main event | | | | You will have time to go home, process the evening, |
| should be you two meeting each other. | | | | and really think about how it went and how your |
| For the first meeting, forgo the movies - after all, | | | | date made you feel. If you find yourself smiling, it |
| you want the chance to talk and really make | | | | was a success! |
| contact, don't you? Sitting in the dark staring at a | | | | |