5 tips on how to make the first date go smoothly

One of the most difficult things about meeting someone online is making plans to meet up with them in the real world. Many feel anxious about doing so, and as a result, they don't know how to talk to the person they're "dating" even if they hit it off well online. If this is something you're dealing with or have dealt with, here are five tips on how to make the process easier:

1. Manage your expectations

The first thing you need to do when you're planning to meet up with someone offline is to manage your expectations. While it's common for people to get caught up in their fantasies when they meet someone they've been dating online for the first time, it's always better to try and keep your feet on the ground. You need to remember that the person you're meeting is an ordinary human being, regardless of what they do for a living or whatever, which might break the fantasy and ruin your idea of a perfect date.

Therefore, you should adjust your expectations and think of it as an opportunity to meet someone whose company you can enjoy. Just take it slow and you might find that the person you're with is a gem.

2. Try to learn something new about them

When you're meeting someone for the first time, it can be hard to start a conversation, as you don't know what they want to talk about. But since you've been talking to them online, you will already have an idea on how to break the ice on your first in-person date. However, that doesn't mean you should get complacent, as you should always try to learn something new about them. People want to feel like they are valued and by showing them that you care enough to want to see another side of their personality, you will get some valuable brownie points for sure.

3. Don't be afraid to take initiative

In a heterosexual relationship, many think that the man should be the one to initiate things, but that's not always true. Anyone can start a conversation or ask someone out, regardless of their gender and sexual orientation. While certain roles in the dynamic of a relationship will always be there, they're not dictated by age, gender or sexual orientation, as it's an agreement between two people. There's really no reason for you to be afraid because of the standards that you may or may not adhere to. Go ahead and make the first move. There's nothing wrong with that.

4. Taking turns

The early stages of dating are all about building a dynamic, as you both have to slowly learn how to act around, talk to, and treat each other. Therefore, you need to give the other person a chance to express themselves. You should be open to their feelings and ideas. You shouldn't rush people into doing things they don't want to do, as that's a big turn-off in any relationship. Let yourself and the other person shine in this relationship. You must share the spotlight and let the other person show their true colors bit by bit.

5. See if it goes somewhere

Now that you have a better idea about what the other person is like, the next thing you will need to do is wait and see if your feelings bloom into something special. When we meet someone new, we unconsciously compare them to other people, which may or may not be a good thing. However, a good way to gauge whether this burgeoning relationship has potential is to think about how they will fit into your future. For example, if you can't see them doing day-to-day activities with you, that means the relationship might not work out. One thing you should keep in mind is to never get ahead of yourself on the first date. Give it a few tries before you make a final decision.

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