5 Great First Date Tips for Men

Hey, man! Yes, you, the one who is excited that you got a first date with a great lady. And now *shudder* you have to plan that first date and make sure she has fun! Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with five great first date tips.

Here are some ideas to help men plan fun and memorable first dates that hopefully will lead to second dates!

Take a cooking class together. Cooking classes are great for getting to know each other in a relaxed setting and learning something new at the same time – just make sure that you at least have enough skill to make something edible – giving your date food poisoning as a first experience probably doesn’t get you date 2!

Go on a picnic in the park. Pack some snacks and drinks that’ll put you both in a good mood. Then enjoy each other’s company while taking in nature’s beauty. A picnic offers a great way to talk. You should be able to spend quality time together on a picnic with very few distractions… unless you happen to set up next to the kids playground.

Plan out where the ideal quiet spot for a picnic would be. Don’t let the environment mess you up!

Visit an art gallery or museum together. This is an opportunity to learn about each other’s interests and explore something new with your date. It’s great for conversation starters. Just make sure you can tell the difference between a Picasso and Rembrandt before you go!

Go bowling or mini golfing together. These fun, casual activities are perfect for having some friendly competition while getting to know each other better. If you can find an arcade with an enjoyable, adult atmosphere, even better. Try to make it fun to play and compete with a date — loser pays for the snacks!

Visit an amusement park or carnival together for some thrills and excitement! Rides, games, food, and more — what more could you want? It’s the chance to be silly and have fun chowing down on your favorite street vendor foods or playing carnival games. Remember like Cyndi Lauper said in her famous song:  GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN!

First dates don’t have to be all that complicated.

Based on my experiences working with single men, I’ve developed rules of the road for dating as described in my SYSTEM/DATING DICTIONARY. Here are some highlights to know about before you go out:

First of all, don’t ask for a date while on a date. No matter how well it’s going, don’t try to broach the topic of date two until you’re finished with date number one. You have to be a little bit of a challenge.

When it comes to conversation, let her do most of the talking, but be careful not to interview her. Make sure you contribute to the discussion. It’s a talk show, not a news magazine article.

Don’t touch her at all — unless she initiates it. If she wants to hug you, fine. If she wants to tap your arm, fine. But you should stay out of her space on the first date.

Figure out the logistics for arriving to the first date one time. Scout out the first date venue, and know in detail how to get there, where to park, etc. Be familiar with the place you’re taking her to.

You are allowed only two compliments. Tell her she looks nice when you first meet up. Tell her you had fun when the first date is over. You cannot compliment your way into her heart. It can come off as superficial or insincere if you’re overly complimentary. You’ve just met her. Take it slow.

Keep the first date light and funny. No negatives. No put-downs. No heavy subjects. Fun should be your mantra. You two can solve the world’s problems after you’ve been together a few years.