Got yourself a hot date lined up with someone from one of those new-fangled dating apps like.. oh, I don’t know.. CLiKD ?.. and you’re wondering how to make that all important good first impression, right?

Making a good first impression isn’t as easy as it sounds, especially when under the natural pressure of a first date.

Even before you meet someone you’re already trying to psych yourself up about what you’ve decided to wear… how you look… how you smell etc.

You get off the tube, put your final bit of chewing gum in your mouth for the walk from the station to the bar and then, GAME TIME.

Now, how are you going to make that great first impression without over thinking and psyching yourself out?

Here is our handy checklist for you:

Look and smell yo best

In the words of the legendary Deion Sanders: “You look good you feel good, you feel good you play good”. In other words, you literally cannot make a better first impression than if you show up looking and feeling your best. If you don’t, you’re already holding yourself back.

Be there early or at the very least on time

Don’t give someone an excuse to regret agreeing to go on a date with you. If you’re showing up late for a date then, without even being there, you’re coming across as rude, thoughtless and literally a waste of time.

If you are early or just straight up on time, then it proves you’re doing everything you can to make a good first impression.

Confidently say “Hi” (or something similar)

You know that advice you always got when you were younger about how to give a confident handshake at job interviews to make a good first impression?

Same applies with first dates. However you say “hello” to someone upon meeting, make sure it is done confidently and gives off a solid impression of yourself. It’s probably recommended to hug someone, although, depending on your cultural background, a kiss on the cheek (or both) is also probably fine.

It’s important to note like with any job interview, you don’t want to give someone too hard a handshake, or dating equivalent.

Offer to buy first round

It’s a very easy win. Even if the person you’re on a date with doesn’t drink, just offering puts you across as a generous and thoughtful person.

It doesn’t mean that you’ll be paying for drinks all night, but definitely just sets a nice tone.

Choose appropriate seating

So, you’ve now got your drinks and are ready to get chatting. Make sure you pick somewhere nice to sit. Like a window seat, or at least somewhere you can hear what the other person is saying.

On top of that, you do not what to sit in a way that implies too much too early. ie if you demand to sit on the same side of a bench and right up close to them, it can make them feel very uncomfortable.

Don’t take over the conversation

“Conversation”

Noun,

• a talk, especially an informal one, between two or more people, in which news and ideas are exchanged.

A conversation is meant for more than one person so hold back, or cut down, on the life story to give the other person a chance.

A good listener is just as, if not more, appreciated than a good talker. So, save your breath and take a back seat occasionally and also, ASK QUESTIONS.

Leave your phone in your bag/pocket

This is, once again, a super easy win.

For once in your life, try not to react to that vibrating in your pocket. That meme from your bestie can wait.

NO ONE appreciates a conversation being broken up by someone ripping their phone from out of their pocket at light-speed.

Obviously, if you’re expecting an important call then make a point of it early on. Otherwise, PUT DOWN the mobile cellular device.

There ya have it, a sure fire list of ways to make a good first impression on a first date.

Now repeat after me….

Look good

Feel good

Feel good

Play good