Tips for a Great First Date

At this point, I would like to share some thoughts with the guys since they are the one, mostly, initiates a date with a lady.

It's important that we guys, have some proper etiquette on having our first dates with our women if we wanted to follow it up with a second one. Unless, na-turned-off ka sa ka-date mo na may superbomb na "P". Otherwise, it's much wiser to keep some simple etiquettes.

1. When you plan for a date, don't just make a single plan. Have it backed-up with another plan if the other fails. The weather could change suddenly; your planned restaurant can suddenly close down for some reason/s. It is always nicer to have a back-up plan in case the first date takes an unexpected turn.

2. Make it short but worthwhile. Don't make your date as if you won't be seeing her again. You don't have to map out your plans in life, your dog's future plan, or your kapitbahay's sari-sari store. Start with a simple 2-3 hours date at most. Then, if things go well, you can have it extended. I have experienced it many times. Just plan a simple date but like I've said, worthwhile. Hindi pa ito yung time na mag-lay down na kayo ng plano nyo together! ^^,

3. Decide what time is the best for both of you. Dating never meant to have it only on evenings! You can plan a date on the afternoon (hindi naman pang-high school dating ang afternoon dates!) or in the morning. It depends on your plan. There are some women prefers a date not on an evening as it would usually brings to eating dinner and watching movies. Some women like adventures too! (DOOON'T read between the lines.. not the different kind of adventure!)

4. Be punctual. This is the most critical problem most of the Filipinos have. Arrive early. There's no greater joy than to give respect for other people's time. If you have some reservations at a restaurant, still, be punctual. Know the best route to the place. There might be somebody needing those seats and table you reserved.

5. If possible, agree on a dress code. If trip nyong mag-fatigue, then, so be it. It is not nice to see that a lady dresses so lovely but the guy's in short pants and blank Pantera T-shirt tapos sandals. That might give idea to others that you are stalking the lady! Beware. Or baka naman may magmukhang alipin ang isa sa inyo. It's much nicer to see that the both of you have proper attire for a date. I just remembered a film 엽기적인 그녀 (My Sassy Girl), a Korean film. One time they had a date, they both agreed to wear their old high school uniforms.

6. When you are in a date, compliment her. But, DON'T OVERDO IT. Tell her some few nice words to make her feel nice and comfortable with you. Just don't overdo it by making her feel insecure instead of being flattered. Yung totoong papuri lang, wag lang yung labas sa ilong lahat. Example, "Wow, you look marvelous! You smell so nice, anong perfume mo---- Datu Puti?"

7. Drink moderately and responsibly. You are on a date not in a tagayan session! Don't tease your date with "o, ONE SHOT, kaya mo?". A few social drinks will do.

8. If both of your decide to eat-out, know the restaurant and what does it offer. Hindi yung papasok na lang bigla tapos wala kang idea what kind of food they serve and how much they charge you. It really pays off if you do some research on where you will eat-out. Like going to a French restaurant and a waiter tells you that their specialty is Escargot (pronounced as ES-KAR-GO) eh isipin mo ESda-KARne-at GOlay. hmmm... do a simple research then! This tip is also for women who try to impress their guys that they are also SOSSY!

9. Eat moderately and slowly. Enjoy the time you're having with your date. Huwag asal timawa na parang hindi aabutin ng bukas kung kumain. The best way to prepare for this is to grab a small snack (probably 1 big mac meal sa McDo) before the date. Kahit na ang date nyo pa eh sa eat-all-you-can buffet. Eat the food by tasting it with a partner hindi yung parang kumakain ka lang sa karinderia na parang nagmamadali lagi kasi may pasahero nang nagaabang.

10. Balance the talking and listening. These should be applied for both guys and the lady. The lady shouldn't be like a boom box. Neither the guy always do the talking by bragging his ass! Two-way communication. Ask questions to each other. Like, "Define love." or "What is Love?" or "Who is your first crush in Grade 1". Yung tipong slumbook style. And dont forget to ask your partner, "Can you give me some dedication?" ^^, Surely, that will be the last time you will see each other! @_o

11. In connection with # 10, read some sensible story and talk about it. May it be a news or a story book or an interesting story. But, please, wag naman yung latest na tsismis na babalakin nyo pa yatang mag-tandem para palitan sila Boy at Kris sa the Buzz. Unless that tsismis is related to Idol, April Boy Regino!

12. Last, but not the least, show respect to the ladies by sending them safely at home (that means, in connection with #7, don't drink alcohol too much if you have to drive her home). Or just show your care to her by securing a cab for her or dropping her by to a place she needs to go. Take note of the cab plate number and make sure the lady gets home safe or wherever she has to go to.

Nothing beats a gentlemanly ways to keep a first date successfully.