If you have ever been on a date with someone who has bad table manners, you know how important it is to be on your best behavior, especially at a restaurant. From bad conversation to open-mouth eating, we’ve even heard stories of how a combination of bad dining and dating manners have ruined the chance at a second date altogether. Keep your best foot forward, and follow these tips to feel confident and land that second date with ease:
DO
- Only agree to meet for a BD (beverage date, be it coffee or wine) and not a full blown dinner unless you are 100% sure you are going to vibe. Why? The last thing you want to do is accept a date with someone you aren’t sure about and then have to sit and make conversation for 2 hours. Instead, suggest a coffee spot for example and go from there. You don’t want to waste their (or your) time or resources unless you are sure it’s someone you want to invest time on.
- There’s an exact time you should arrive. If you are the one who invited the other person for the date, you should even arrive early to check in for the table reservation. If you have been invited, don’t be fashionably late and arrive within a few minutes of the reservation time. You may not want to appear over-eager by arriving at the exact time of the date, however more than 10 minutes past the reservation time is beyond the given grace period and can be considered late, which can be taken as rude.
- Arrive on time. If you are the one who invited the other person for the date, you should even arrive early to check in for the table reservation. If you have been invited, don’t be fashionably late and arrive within a few minutes of the reservation time.
- Ask questions about the other person. Even if the person is showing interest by asking you questions, be sure you are reciprocating and asking questions in return
- Offer to pay. Your date may insist on paying, however it’s a nice gesture to offer and not be seen as expectant.
DON’T
- Dive straight into interviewing someone. A few great questions back and forth is one thing, but making your date feel as though they are being interrogated is a no-go. Also beware of asking too personal questions on a first date like “So why did your ex leave you?” and instead let them share details as and when they feel comfortable.
- Overspend. If you think you are going to be treated to the date, avoid choosing the most expensive thing on the menu, as it may appear you are trying to take advantage of the situation
- Ghost a person if they ask you out on a second date and you are not interested. The respectful thing to do is to write back a gentle note saying you think that you will be better off as friends
- Be on your phone or take calls or check texts during the meal. Excuse yourself and take calls away from the table and out of sight from your date.