Are you looking to make a good lasting impression on that first date you finally got? The first step is making “the good” impression first, and the reward is subsequently making it a lasting one.
Attempting to make a good impression on your first day goes beyond showing up, it involves being in your best self and being genuine. It is not about you trying too hard to prove yourself. Instead of doing that, be intentionally thoughtful about your actions, pay attention during discussions through the date and be confident.
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Your intention towards making your first date count should be to make a true and genuine connection. So, instead of focusing on trying to be perfect and putting yourself under undue pressure, you should put effort into being present and understanding the needs of your date, which often leaves a stronger impression. Below are 10 ways to make a good lasting impression on your first date.
1. Plan Ahead: It’s your first date, do not expect things to just take care of themselves when you meet up. It is important to plan ahead by making a list of a few things to say or do. Note down some questions you would like to ask your date and rehearse it a few times before hand. Think of fun activities too and make sure you have an idea of what the other person looks like if you have not really met them in person.
2. Dress for the Date: The first thing your date will see when you show up is how you dressed. They already have a brief judgment of you before you open your mouth to introduce yourself. Are you going for a dinner date? Or is it a cashual meet up? It is your duty to dress up in a way that reflects your true and best self. If you do not feel good about your attire, change it before it is too late as this may even affect your confidence.
3. Be Respectful of Time: Showing up to your first date can leave a negative impression already. Being late could signal that you do not really care about this date. So, it is important to respect the agreed time and be punctual. However, it is understandable that unforseen situations can steal into your preparations. A polite and responsible thing to do will be to effectively communicate your potential lateness. This will help you avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and your date will also be able to adjust their plans accordingly instead of waiting for you feeling frustrated.
4. Your confidence matters: One very good quality that your date will probably look out for in you is your level of confidence. How you handle little situations that could have made the date go wrong. Did you handle it with arrogance or you were calm, relaxed and still got it resolved? Only the latter will leave lasting good impression. Do not let your mouth and actions move too much faster than your thought process as this might make you speak out of order in the process of trying to impress your date.
5. Mind Your Manners: Why is it important to maintain good manners during your first date? Recall that the idea is to leave a good and lasting impression. One important factor that plays a huge role in achieving this is good manners. How you talk, eat, smile, and respond to questions during the date says a lot about you. Don’t eat like you don’t want to waste your money, and do not be rude or arrogant just because you are the one footing the bill. Be courteous to your date and respect the waiters. Show high emotional intelligence by not speaking carelessly. Listen attentively and maintain good posture.
6. Engage in Meaningful Conversation: What is a date without thoughtful and meaningful conversations? Use the time well by asking questions that make you know them more. It should be more about them than it is about you. You can ask questions like “What do you do when you’re not busy?”, “What was your last memorable adventure?”. Asking questions like this could encourage true connection, opening the door to even deeper conversations, and you never know what more you might find out about them.
7. Keep the Mood Positive and Topics Light: For your date, you need to try as much as possible to stick to the fun conversations that help maintain a positive mood for the both of you. And avoid the temptations of shifting to sensitive discussions about your past relationship or even politics.
8. Be Yourself: In order to leave a good and lasting impression, you have to be true to yourself before, during, and after the date. It like a normal thing to want to impress your date by pretending to be what you are not. Why that may be tempting, you may not be able to keep up in the long run. Some people also have the ability to see through you when you are just faking it. Be yourself and keep things real from the begining.
9. Show Appreciation and Give Genuine Compliments: One of the quickest way to put yourself in other people’s memories is by showing them appreciation. People remember compliments that make them feel seen and valued. In order to leave a lasting impression on your first date, indulge genuine appreciation and not flattery. This will help you create a good connection that your date won’t forget easily.
10. Know When to Leave: Earlier, we mentioned the importance of respecting time on your first date. Know that this does not just apply to when you get to the date. Apart from showing up on time, it is important to know when to leave as well if you don’t want to ruin the good impression they already have of you. When you start to lose energy or you can obviously feel that the conversations is begining to look forced, leave!
