How to Plan the Perfect First Date

You've done the hard part and found a person that you like, either in your day-to-day life or on a dating website like Tinder or Interracial Dating Central. You've asked her out, and she said yes! Now, what do you do? You might not have even thought this far ahead yet. Here are some simple guidelines to follow to make sure your first date goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Find a public space to meet.

For your first date, you'll want to keep things as low risk as possible, so think about inviting her over and cooking for her on another night. It can feel like too much pressure and uncomfortable for some people meeting in private on a first date, especially if this is one of the first times you've met, and you're not that comfortable yet. Something like a coffee shop or a restaurant is an excellent place to meet. Try to pick one that's in the city center to make it as low pressure for your date as possible. If you can eliminate as many of your date's nerves as possible, this is going to result in them being more relaxed and comfortable going out with you.

2. Choose somewhere quiet.

The whole point of a first date is to get to know someone, so make sure you can have a conversation! A concert will most likely be too noisy and full of distractions to really talk, and at the cinema, you can't talk at all. A smaller bar or coffee shop is a great idea, so you can have a conversation and really get to know each other.

3. Have several different parts to the date.

There's no problem with staying in one place all night, but it's always a good idea to have a few parts to the date that you can move through. This makes a date more interesting, as you aren't just at the same place all night, which will also make it more memorable. In addition, moving to a new location is a good idea if you feel a lull in the conversation, and it's making you feel awkward. Every time you move is a reset that gives you time to think of more things to talk about.  

4. Do a bit of prep.

If you're planning a date that involves you staying in one place and chatting, think about what conversation you can bring up, in case this is nerve-wracking for you. This could be a few interesting questions to ask the person, which is also an excellent way to screen them. If you're an adventurous person, you may ask them, "What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?" This is more interesting than simple small talk, and gives you a chance to find out if this person has similar interests to you.  

5. Bring money. 

While dating etiquette isn't as clear as it used to be, it's still common for the man, or the person that suggested the date, to pay. The best way to deal with this, as a man, is to be prepared to pay. When the moment comes, offer to cover the bill. Your date may offer to split it, which is why you can make a call to pay the bill yourself or split it. You may feel that for a first date, you want to pay, so make sure to have the cash ready to avoid any issues.