When it comes to planning out your first offline date, you should both choose a location and setting that you're comfortable with. Don't stress over the small stuff, first dates can take place anywhere you like, from restaurants to crowded bars or quiet drives out to the country or a walk along the beach.
Depending on your mutual interests and personalities, you will want to choose a place that will be fun and adventurous to the both of you. This is a great way to determine just how compatible you are as well, so make sure to plan out the date together, taking each other's thoughts and ideas into consideration.
You want your first date to be memorable and to leave a good first impression, and to help you do that; here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Choose a location that allows for communication:
The last thing you want to do is choose a location that is noisy, bustling with activity or crowded. You need to spend time getting to know each other, especially within the early stages of your relationship, so try to choose a location that will give you both the chance to talk and get to know each other.
Some good first date locations:
Restaurant - Great for conversation, and allows you to interact with your date while enjoying a good meal. Plus, if you find it difficult to keep conversation going, it provides a bit of a distraction and can help relieve the initial anxiety and awkwardness from your first encounter.
Coffee Shop - This is a prime spot if you are planning a short date, or one that could possibly be extended but isn't obligated or expected to be. Coffee shops provide the opportunity to talk, while also giving you an exit, should you need it.
Sporting event - Make sure that you both enjoy the particular sporting event that you choose, and that you plan it out so that you arrive early, and can get situated and spend time chatting before the event begins.
Dancing - There's no better way of getting closer and having a great time with your first date than by finding a local club that plays the type of music you both enjoy.
I strongly recommend keeping the first date simple and not over-doing it. After all, even though you might share chemistry with the person online, meeting offline is a complete different thing, and you want to just focus on spending time enjoying each other and figuring out whether you truly connect.
Too many preparations or elaborate planning can cause tension in terms of expectations. You don't have to spend an exuberant amount of money on your first date in order to have fun, so keep it simple and have a blast!
Of course, with wherever you both decide to go on your first date, you want to make sure that you look your best. Take extra care with your appearance and spend time grooming, after all, you want to make a good impression.
Make sure to be yourself. Dress as you normally do when you go out, and don't over-do it. You want the person to get to know you, as you really are, not some over-dressed persona that you'd never be able to keep up with, should you two continue to explore your relationship.
Walk into your first date with no expectations but to have a great night getting to know a potential friend. Keep an open mind and be ready for anything. Have fun!