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First dates can be hell or they can be a sweet beginning to something beautiful. Half of the chance things are going to go well is dependant on you.
Sure, there’s not much to be done to avoid his BO or his wandering hands (although a sharp slap in the face should solve the latter), but at least you can make sure the conversation doesn’t go awry. To avoid prattling on nervously, go easy on the alcohol, then remember these dating convo no-nos. Exs The very mention of an ex boyfriend or girlfriend and a date can start to go downhill. Even if your date knows him (or perhaps especially) do not let an ex’s name cross your lips while you are on a first date. It will scream ‘not over him!’ even if the story you’re telling is nothing to do with your past relationship. Just zip it.
Sex Fetishes, past partners, positions – all lead to uncomfortable conversation. You might have had a couple of drinks and perhaps you are even getting a little bit closer at the dinner table, but he doesn’t need to hear about your favourite sexual position - unless you’re just after a one night stand. Talking about sex will make you seem easy. It will also remind him of those dreaded exs (see above). Don’t go there.
Dreams In general, your dreams are boring. There I said it. Have you ever heard anyone repeat a story about someone else’s dream? No matter how exciting and weird you think it was, you may only tell a date a very shortened version – and only if it happens to be relevant to the conversation. It is especially objectionable to relate a dream in which he was the star... don’t even start! What happens while you are unconscious should stay in your head.
Enemies No matter how valid the reason for the hatred, hearing about someone’s arch nemesis is unsettling at the best of times, especially when you are only just getting to know each other. It will make him wonder how easy it is to get into your bad books. He might start to view you in a different light, as a conniving character, rather than the sweet persona he once imagined. You don’t want this, at least not yet. Keep stories about the horrible ex-flatmate who you sometimes prank call until you have been out a few times. Then he can join in.
Intoxication You might think it makes you sound really cool, but explaining in gory detail how wasted you got last weekend at your mate’s 21st isn’t funny or particularly enticing.Also (and I can’t emphasise this enough), unless you decide to go out and consume together, you should try to stay sober for a date so you can remember what he’s like. It’s feels real bad to wake up and wonder what you did or said the night before.
Bodily functions Self-explanatory to most of us, but being open about farts and burps just isn’t hot. Some might disagree, but I wouldn’t risk the chance of him being one of those types. It might be funny to discuss the terrible diarrhea you got last weekend from all those feijoas – but leave that conversation for the girls to giggle and screw up their noses to, if you feel the need to share at all. He doesn’t need to think about your butt in that context.
Babies Okay, so your biological clock is ticking and you really hope this relationship works out because you think he has great genes…Keep it to yourself! Even mention babies or pregnancy and he will run. He will also be put off by a lengthy description of the cute things your baby cousin/ niece/ friend’s daughter does. Babies with him should not be discussed until it is totally clear you two are exclusive and have been dating for a good few months, and even then this conversation should be casual (unless you are in your late 30s and desperately want a child before it’s too late, in which case it’s worth the risk).
Pets It’s okay to talk about your kitty-cat a little bit. In fact it can be a great conversation starter, but if you are cat or dog or frog-mad, it would be a good idea to keep this side of your personality to yourself for a while. Cat-crazy people can be a bit scary when they get started. Sure, mention your pet, but he doesn’t need to hear much more than its name and maybe one short anecdote about its personality or habits.
Terms of endearment Don’t call him babe, honeypants, cutie-pie, sweetie, hunky, darling, lover boy, sexy…Call your date nothing but his name on a first date. No exceptions. Skipping to pet names early is a bad call. It connotes commitment and no matter how much he likes you, he doesn’t want to think of himself as your sweetie-pie yet.