How to Prepare For a Date

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You've snagged a date with someone special, and now you've got the chance to make an impression. Preparing for a date can be nerve-wracking, but can be approached in a step-by-step manner that'll assure you make it to your date fully prepared. The rest is up to you.

Steps

Watch the video below.
Do some homework. In the days before a date, take time out to catch up with current events and hot topics. These are great conversation starters and you will be able to impress your date with your knowledge. Try to remember as much as you can about previous conversations together so you can follow up on them. Have a couple of funny stories or conversation pieces up your sleeve in case you need them. There are now many dating advice online forums and sites that one can access in the internet. The problem with some of these sites is that they are not actually made by professionals who have studied and researched their dating advice. It would be prudent to also consider the legitimacy of the dating advice as well as the veracity of it.
Start looking and feeling good in advance. Set time aside for exercise in the days before the date, whether it's yoga or push ups. Eat well and get plenty of sleep.
Pick your clothes early. You should have several outfits laid out before the day of the date. This way you won't have any last minute panics when you realize you have a spaghetti stain down your favourite shirt. Plus, it will allow you to try on a few different looks on the day of the date and see which one fits your mood most comfortably at the time.
Clean up on the day of the date. Take a nice, long shower or bath. Ensure you have clean hair and nails. You should smell good, but not overpowering. Avoid heavy perfumes and aftershaves, especially if your date could be allergic. Ladies, go easy when applying make-up and aim for a natural but groomed look. If things go well he will eventually see you without make-up - and you will want him to recognize you at that point. Shortly before leaving for your date, floss and brush your teeth thoroughly.
Think positively. You're going out to enjoy yourself, after all. Don't start worrying about what disasters could happen, because that way they are far more likely to. If you are getting nervous, call a good friend, watch your favourite comedy show or listen to upbeat music. Loosen up. Focus on having fun and you inevitably will.
Be punctual. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your rendezvous. Keeping your date waiting will start things off on the wrong foot.

Video

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Tips

Relax, be yourself, and be confident. More specifically, in addition to "being confident," you should "know your success" (success breeds confidence). Instead of "being yourself," try "being your best self".
Sometimes even with the best preparation, your date might turn out awful. You may wish to have a "back out plan" in case this happens. Find a good friend you can call and then he/she can call you back in a few minutes so you can say you have some sort of crisis you need to attend to. You could also try being an honest person and say that you don't think it's working out, and that you need to leave early. Be prepared to contribute to the date and excuse yourself.
For a first date its a good idea to have a lunch date instead of a dinner date. That way, if you have an awful time at least you didn't waste a whole evening.
Bring a condom. Whether you plan to use it or not, it is better to be prepared than to end up with responsibilities you didn't want. But, remember that you don't have to have sex.
When getting ready to go on that first date there are many things to consider. First of all there are the questions about where to go, what to wear, transportation, etc.
Make sure you plan what your going to wear and always make an effort, theirs no second chance to make a first impression on your date.

Warnings

Never put yourself in a compromising situation--most people are trustworthy, but "date rape" is unfortunately a real occurrence. Always have a first date in a public setting (restaurant, movie, club, mall, etc.) Only accept drinks served from a bottle or can opened by you or in front of you, or by a third party (like a bartender). Unfortunately, there are drugs ("date rape drugs") that can be added to ANY drink without any noticeable difference in taste. Some people use these drugs to put women (and sometimes men) in precarious situations. If you turn away from your drink, get into the habit of covering it with your hand, as it only takes a second to slip something into a drink. If you are suspicious, get a new drink.
If you feel something's wrong, trust your instincts and politely but firmly end the date.
Be sure to always have a cell phone and cash for a cab so that you never feel you have to rely on your date for a ride home.
Always be careful about alcoholic intake.
Don't end a date by saying your mom just died in a car accident cause chances are, he'll want to accompany you to the funeral.

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Sources and Citations

[http;//www.strugglefreedating.com]- www.strugglefreedating.com for more tips of dating
Prepare For A Date (video) - Original source of this article. Shared with permission.
Topics to talk about on a date (article) - Presents different topics to talk about on a date
Tips For Dating For some resources about First Date Tips and Online Dating Tips

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