First Date Etiquette

Now many of you know from past posts ,read here , that I'v been taking much needed time out from dating ... but needless to say ... I love first dates ... its just enough nervous zsa zsa zsu for me ... but countless girl talk sessions have enlightened me with some awesome knowledge which I have to pass on..

I've had intensely cringe worthy first dates .. like disaster dates ... but as time has gone by ... I got the hang of it to a degree.. this post is clearly more for the ladies ..

Lets create a scenario, you met a great guy you occasionally chat, he asks you on a date... from past experiences unless a guy says 'hi Meghan , I have this amazing restaurant I have to take you too.. when can I take you on a date' I know I have to think of a restaurant or coffee shop etc where we should go ... 

Choosing location A : As tempted as you are to go to the most expensive place , don't .. don't be that girl... instead choose a place with a wide variety , medium price range ...

Communicate but do not nag: one phone call a day before or even the morning of date day will suffice , see if you are both still on ... nothing is worse than getting all dressed up and getting a message saying hey I cant make it , men sometimes are like that...lets be real

Whats the meeting up arrangements: I'm old school a guy should fetch you from your home and be a gentlemen but if circumstances don't allow that, meet him and don't be late ... I'm sure he is just as nervous ..and everyone knows that 30 minutes before your date arrives is nerve wrecking enough.

Time to order: follow his league on this one ... no one wants to eat before the other and as mentioned above don't go over the top when it comes to what you are going to order ... follow his price range ... I once went on a date ... ordered a starter as a main meal (because that's just how i eat from time to time) and my date found it insulting. Maybe that was just my date but rather safe than sorry...and don't take a doggy bag ... out with friends sure take one ... but a 1st DATE??  don't do it.. drinks wise keep it classy don't knock back drinks like its water ... exp alcohol beverages , no one likes a drunk date who's slurring the whole meal through

Food arrives and... : use that knife here's why ... yes you meant to be yourself , yes guys like that blah blah blah... but anyone who has seen miss congeniality and saw how terribly Sandra Bullock looked while eating her steak can surely agree bite sizes look better and allow for a more flowing conversation.

Awkward silence: when this happens my fail proof way to jump start conversations is ask questions and break the ice with some humor. Its never failed me to date. I love making people laugh ... and laughing makes me comfortable.

Footing the bill: In my opinion if a man is asking you on a date , he should pay the bill its proper etiquette , but these days ... splitting the bill is very fashionable ... so offer to pay for your meal.. if he says sure thing ... don't be mad ,split the bill... you get the gentlemen out there who get offended if a women insists on splitting the bill ...so offer in a non insulting way.

Time for THE GOODBYE: this for me can be the most awkward part of the date ... the rule is don't kiss on date 1 however I have broken the rule on this one not every 1st date on under a handful... but to be honest now I kind of sit back and wish I didn't kiss anyone on date 1 .. i'll keep you posted when I go on my next 1st date

most importantly ... 1st dates are great memories ... I can recall every 1st date iv ever had... just have fun ... if it isn't successful don't worry about ... it just means we both still on the search for our prince charming :)

whats been your best and worst dates thus far?