So much in dating depends on first impressions. You can depend on these ten tips for making a killer first impression on your date.
1. Keep your gestures minimal
The message you want to send to your date is one of confidence, control, and focus. Don’t get too animated when talking to her; she’ll think you’re not comfortable in your own skin. Keep your body in control and have a relaxed demeanor.
2. Maintain a confident posture
Don’t approach women with your shoulders slumped, arms crossed, and eyes directed at the floor. This kind of body posture signals that you have low self-esteem. Instead, hold yourself high, pull your shoulders back, keep your head up, and smile.
3. Be upbeat
“Cynical and bitter might work if you’re a dark and complicated graduate student,” the Huffington Post warns. “Otherwise, always be upbeat.” Don’t kill her buzz by complaining. Have a positive attitude, but don’t overdo it. Just send the message that you are a happy person who enjoys life.
4. Maintain eye contact
Look your date in the eye as much as possible — without seeming creepy, that is. “Prolonged eye contact produces intense emotional reactions regardless of whether it’s a fist or a pair of lips heading your way,” the Daily Mail reports. A wandering gaze, meanwhile, says that you don’t care about what she has to say or that you’re easily distracted.
5. Avoid discussing personal matters
When you first meet a woman, you don’t want to talk about stuff you would normally with your friends. Rather talk about your hobbies, surroundings, and things you have in common.
6. Pay attention to her body language
If your date is backing away from you, folding her arms, or raising her eyebrows, then you may be making a bad first impression. But if she’s smiling and relaxed, then you’re doing a great job!
7. Ask questions
If you’re not asking her a lot of questions, you’re probably talking about yourself, your opinions, or your beliefs. When you talk too much about yourself, you can appear to be selfish. And this may turn her off. Try asking her questions about her hobbies, interests, and job. This will signal your interest in her. “The longer she talks, the more she likes you,” Psychology Today notes. “Bonus points for remembering what she said.”
8. Be authentic
Don’t lie about liking something you don’t actually for the sake of trying to impress her. Just talk normally and be as authentic as possible. Stand by your morals and beliefs. But be sure to avoid pushing your opinions on her.
9. Have manners
No woman wants to date someone who’s impolite. If you are rude, arrogant, or inconsiderate, then you will definitely leave a bad impression on her. Make sure you’re polite and take into consideration her feelings. Being polite will demonstrate that you are mindful and respectful of others.
10. Be well-groomed
Make sure your outfit is nice and that you smell good. People — not just women — make snap judgments based on appearance. So even if you are well-mannered, smart, and funny, people will still base a majority of their opinion on the way you dress and look.
Date, set, match
Dating can rough. And first dates are especially so. “Let’s face it, when it comes to meeting the next Mr or Ms Right, we could all do with a little help,” GQ notes. And help is knowing the rules and following them. A great first impression on a woman can lead to a second — and even a third, fourth, and fifth — date.
