1. Flashing your cash at her

You may have loads of cash, or you may not have a single dime. Whatever it is, never try to use money to buy your date’s like. This is the number one mistake to avoid on your first date. This is supposed to be a chance for you to find out if your date is compatible with you. You are not going through an arranged marriage, mind you. If it really work out fine, then excellent for you. But if it doesn’t, then you will look back on all the cash you spent on the expensive dinner, the movie ticket, the roses, the collar for her golden retriever……..

OK, so you might just be lucky enough to get a second date. You figured that you want to do better than the first date, so you bought her diamonds, a new golden retriever, a mansion, an island, and heck, you can glide to the moon and back. Your woman will be so impressed by you. Well, not you exactly, but your stout wallet. But when the money in it disappear, then she will disappear with it too. Then you go back into your shell, and kick yourself for being a sore loser.

2. Talking about another woman in front of her.

There are probably a thousand and one topics that you can discuss with your date, but the one thing which you can ill afford to bring up during a conversation, is the name of another woman. Never mind if you are drooling over Jessica Alba, never mind if it is your ex-girlfriend, never mind even if it is your maid. The bottom-line is this : women just don’t like it when they hear about another woman. Your date would expect you to be thinking only about her, and no-one else.

3. Shagging is on your mind

This mistake is just as disastrous as the first two. Talking about sex on your first date with her is an absolute no-no. Unless you want some spaghetti thrown at you, please do yourself a favour, and stay well clear of the subject of sex. Let’s face it. If a woman really needed some sex, then she wouldn’t even bother to go on a date with you. She would be busy in her bed. Get it? 

4. Getting your hands full on her.

On your first date with her, make sure you restrict yourself to just a friendly handshake at the beginning, and maybe guide her by the small of her back while crossing the road. And when sending her back home, a gentle small peck on her cheek would do very nicely. Do not be a maniac, and go your hands all over her. Chances are, she will have the sheriff coming down on you in no time. So please control yourself, and your hands. Be a gentleman, not a moron.

5. You try to be someone you are not.

I can’t stress this enough. On your first date, just be yourself. Do not try to be someone you are not. If you are that sporty person, then so be it. If you are that guy of the casual look, then so be it. Never try to impersonate a Brad Pitt, or a George Clooney. You will only be making a fool of yourself. So don’t try anything amusing. Just be your natural self. And also, do not brag to her about anything. Don’t tell her that you are going to glide to the moon, and bring it down for her. Remember, whatever goes around, comes around. And in time to come, you will find that your bragging will come back to haunt you.

There you have it. The top 5 mistakes which you should avoid at all costs on your first date, outlined very neatly for you in this dating tip guide. Ignore them at your own peril. Because if anything goes incorrect on your first date, chances are, you will remember this article of mine.

1. Your safety lesson in online dating starts from your profile itself. Make sure not to reveal exact personal details (real name, telephone numbers, street addresses etc) in your profile for everyone to see. For the first few weeks you should communicate with other daters only through the message system that is available on the sites. This personal messaging system keeps your name and contact details anonymous so that you can get to know the other person without revealing your true identity. Once you feel you know someone well enough, you can then disclose your personal details and also set up a date. And in case you do end up communicating with someone who turns out to be a creep (they are unfortunately unavoidable), your real identity will be protected.

2. Once you do set up a date with an online friend, always ensure that you do not ask them to come over to your home on the first date itself. No, you should not even have them pick you up at home. Instead, arrange to meet up at the designated spot. (preferable a public location)

3. If you have a friend who is also into online dating, you could get together with your friend and have a double date. This way, you won't be alone when you meet your online friend, and you will also have someone to get away with in case your date turns out to be a bore!

4. Never ever agree to have your first date in a private or secluded spot. You may think that this is very basic advice, but you'll be amazed (perhaps shocked may be a better word!) to know that countless people still make this mistake and end up in prospectively dangerous situations. You should pick an open and public place for your date; say a restaurant, the park, etc. If you do decide to go to another place with your date, do not get into the car with them. Take your own vehicle or call and ask a friend to take you there. Yes, all this may seem like too much trouble, but better to be safe than sorry!

5. Avoid drinking alcohol on your first date. If you must, make sure you have just a couple of drinks and no more. Ask the waiter or the bar tender to serve you. If you have left the drink for any reason, perhaps to visit the rest room, do not have the same drink when you do return.

6. Before you leave for your date, make sure a friend or relative knows where you are going and when to expect you back. If something untoward does happen, you at least know that someone will be out looking for you.

 By keeping these online dating safety tips in mind, you can rest easy that you are doing all you can to protect yourself. And with that worry off your mind, you are free to go out and have a whale of a time with your new online date!